WES BERRY’s Bio
Wes built a significant business with sales of over $750 million. He is also the Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY’s best-selling author of the book Big Things Have Small Beginnings, part of his Business and Leadership Series. He has authored a dozen books on business, leadership, and motivation.
Wes is a veteran Keynote Speaker and broadcaster with over 30 years of experience; however, Wes Berry is much more than that. He has been on the front lines of business as someone who took a small failing flower shop and built a substantial international company. He has also served on the Boards of an Educational Foundation, Community Youth Assistance, and Henry Ford Hospital. Berry currently serves on the Board of Trustees for a nine-figure Foundation. His many honors include being the NAACP’s Business Person of the Year.
He’s an exciting Motivational Speaker and an excellent addition to any conference, industry trade show, or annual event. His extensive business, motivational, and community service acumen has made him an expert for many venues, including appearances on several talk shows. His many media appearances include NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Entrepreneur and Time magazines, Fox News, Neil Cavuto, Geraldo Rivera, and John Stossel, to name just a few.
His friendly, engaging, and humorous style makes him an outstanding keynote speaker, presenter, emcee, and facilitator. Tell him your goals, and he’ll tailor his presentation to deliver the WOW.
Married for 30+ years, he has four adult sons and spends his leisure time with his English Bulldog or golfing.
His many media appearances include The Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Entrepreneur and Time magazines, National Public Radio, Fox News, Neil Cavuto, Geraldo Rivera, and John Stossel, to name just a few. He’s also collaborated on programming for several ABC and CBS television shows.
He is a qualified alumnus of Steven Covey (7 Habits), Jim Collins (Good to Great), Dale Carnegie (Win & Influence), and John Maxwell. In his Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY best-selling book Big Things Have Small Beginnings, he shares what he has learned about leadership and business management.
As a broadcaster, he has terrestrial radio from his years on WDTK Detroit with two distinct segments. “The People’s Voice” features current events in a point-counterpoint format and is guided by the principle that people can disagree without being disagreeable. “The Success Factor” segment focuses on successful nonprofits and corporate enterprises.
Berry currently serves on the Board of Trustees for a nine-figure Charitable Foundation. He also volunteers with a community group that provides wheelchair ramps to needy people. He attends Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, where he’s taught Sunday School, ushered, and served on its Board of Trustees. He has also served on the Boards of an Educational Foundation, Community Youth Assistance, and Henry Ford Hospital. Because of his fondness for nonprofits and availability, those services are offered only pro bono (free) or travel allowance.
Over the years, he’s provided consulting services to over 40 businesses even while simultaneously establishing a retail franchise system that operated 30 units in five states. Additionally, he’s served as Headmaster of a State-Licensed Private Vocational School, and as a licensed real estate agent, he has participated in over 30 commercial transactions.
He has held memberships in The Detroit Economic Club, Adcraft Club of Detroit, Rotary International, Optimists International, NAACP, Shriners International, Wabeek Country Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit Gun Club, NRA, and is a Freemason. He graduated from Oakland Technical Center, completing their Floriculture & Agriscience Program. A dog lover, he enjoys fishing and is constantly humbled by his golf game. He and his wife Mia have four sons and have been married for 30+ years.
Major Honors and Awards:
- 2003 – Pheasant Ring Autistic Community Ring of Hope Community Service Award
- 2008 – NAACP Oakland County Chapter’s Corporate Leadership Award
- 2008 – Florist Review Magazine’s Retail Florist of the Year for Community Involvement
- 2008 – Chamber of Commerce honoree as Business Person of the Year
- 2011 – Inc. Magazine’s Top 500|5000-ranked Fastest Growing Retailer
- 2012 – Optimist International’s Business Person of the Year Michigan District
- 2014 – Civil rights organization United We Walk’s Community Leader Award
- 2016 – Commissioned Honorary Naval Commander (O-5) by Michigan Governor Schneider
- 2018 – Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, #1 Hot New Release and International Best Seller
- 2019 – Southern California Book Festival, Winner Best Business Book
- 2019 – Barnes & Noble’s Top 5 Best Sellers of All Books Worldwide
- 2019 – USA TODAY Bestselling Author
- 2019 – Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
- 2019 – New York Book Festival. Winner Best Non-Fiction
