A Story of Innovation and Inclusion: David Steward's Path to Billionaire Entrepreneur

Steward was born into a modest family in Chicago, Illinois, and had seven siblings. Despite being born in the bustling city, his family relocated to his mother's native town, Clinton, Missouri, where he was brought up. Their residence was a small house devoid of indoor plumbing or a heating system.

Steward has been wedded to Thelma, a professional nurse, for a period of 41 years. Their family is made up of their son, David II, who is in charge of a transmedia studio majoring in digital publishing; his wife Mary, who is devoted to their grandsons, David “Trey” Lloyd Steward III and Julian Karl David Steward; and their daughter Kimberly, who heads a marketing firm and a US film production and finance company.

Steward's father's strong work ethic opened his eyes to the world of entrepreneurship. Despite being unable to pursue his career as a trained mechanic, Steward's father took matters into his own hands. He purchased a few acres of land on the outskirts of Clinton and started a small farm to provide for his family of ten. With a couple of cows, a few chickens, and some hogs, he worked tirelessly to ensure that his loved ones had enough to eat. In addition to running the farm, he also took on odd jobs to make ends meet.

?

Growing up in Clinton, a small town with a population of 10,000, had a profound impact on Steward. The values instilled in him by the close-knit community, combined with a strong Christian upbringing, laid the foundation for the man he would become. These values, along with witnessing his father's unwavering commitment to the family's well-being, shaped Steward's understanding of entrepreneurship and the importance of hard work.

?

Reflecting on his childhood, Steward fondly remembers his father as the first entrepreneur he ever knew. Although his father's entrepreneurial endeavors were born out of necessity, he refused to let his family rely on welfare. Despite facing discrimination in the job market, his father's determination and pride pushed him to do whatever it took to support his wife and children. Steward recognizes his parents as the best teachers he could have asked for, as they exemplified the importance of teamwork and sacrifice.

?

Steward's father's journey serves as a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship can arise from the most unexpected circumstances. His resilience and dedication continue to inspire Steward in his own entrepreneurial pursuits. The lessons learned from his father's example, combined with the values instilled in him by his community and faith, have shaped Steward into the successful and compassionate man he is today.

After graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1973, Steward encountered a fresh set of obstacles. The nation was grappling with a severe economic downturn, and his family was unable to provide financial assistance. Resourceful and determined, Steward approached a local banker and successfully secured a loan of $300. Carrying all his belongings in a knapsack, he embarked on a hitchhiking journey to St. Louis, where he sought refuge with his sister. While residing there, he worked part-time as a substitute teacher until he secured a full-time position as an executive at the Boy Scouts of America.

?

In 1974, Steward joined Wagner Electric, only to face a setback a year later when the company ceased operations. Undeterred, he accepted a groundbreaking role at Missouri Pacific Railroad as the first African American to sell rail services. Capitalizing on his position as a marketing and sales representative, Steward made a significant career move in 1979 by joining FedEx as a senior account executive. Within two years, his exceptional performance earned him a prestigious place in the Federal Express Sales Hall of Fame.

Steward's desire to own his own company prompted him to take a daring step and venture out on his own. Despite being a young married father of two with limited financial resources and a mortgage to pay, he was determined to pursue his ambition. In 1984, he borrowed $2,000 from his father and utilized his experience in the railroad industry to establish Transportation Business Specialists, an auditing firm specializing in reviewing freight bills for the rail industry. This decision proved to be a turning point for Steward. Encouraged by his initial success, he went on to establish another company, Transport Administrative Services, which focused on auditing and reviewing freight bills for undercharges in the railroad industry. This second venture allowed him to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience in the field.

In 1987, Union Pacific Railroad enlisted the services of Transport Administrative Services to conduct an extensive audit of three years' worth of freight bills, specifically focusing on undercharges. This endeavor involved the management of an impressive $15 billion worth of rate information for a single client. To efficiently handle this immense task, Steward's company, Transport Administrative Services, developed a local area network that effectively processed the data. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the audit was completed a remarkable 40 times faster, thereby revolutionizing the field of railroad audits.

?

During this transformative process, Steward had an epiphany. He realized that his true passion lay not in the mere auditing of freight bills, but rather in utilizing technology in innovative ways to reshape traditional business practices. Driven by this newfound vision, he aspired to be at the forefront of the technological revolution, fundamentally altering the way people conducted business. In pursuit of this ambition, Steward founded World Wide Technology (WWT) in 1990, which has since become his most prosperous venture.

?

From its humble beginnings with only a handful of employees operating out of a small office, WWT has grown exponentially. Presently, the company boasts an impressive global presence, spanning across 20 facilities encompassing a staggering four million square feet. With a workforce exceeding 9,000 individuals, WWT has firmly established itself as a leader in its industry. Furthermore, the company's annual revenue surpasses an impressive $14.5 billion, solidifying its position as the largest Black-owned company in the United States, as stated on its official website.

Steward, in his capacity as chairman, assumes a pivotal position in WWT's endeavors to secure significant contracts, while also contributing to the establishment and fostering of its organizational culture and fundamental principles. WWT's consistent inclusion in Fortune's esteemed 100 Best Companies to Work For list for six consecutive years, starting from 2017, further attests to their commitment to creating an exceptional workplace. Moreover, their recognition on Great Place to Work's 2017 Best Workplace in Technology list, Forbes' Largest Private Companies list, and their impressive eighth position on Glassdoor's 2018 Best Places to Work, further solidify their reputation as an exemplary employer.

Content Writing Jobs Article 25 Jobs and Volunteering Opportunities Article-Writing.co Writing & Editing Association (International) Dibbly | The Urban Writers Writers Write - Write To Communicate