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What happens when life's greatest challenge becomes your greatest stepping stone? In this powerful conversation, Darren Warren, President and CEO of Stor-Mor Portable Buildings, shares his remarkable journey from a 16-year-old cancer patient with a 40% survival rate to becoming an innovative leader in the shed industry.
Darren's story begins in 1998 when his non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis led his father to start building portable sheds—allowing young Darren to participate in the family business while undergoing 120 chemotherapy treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. What started as a solution to a family crisis evolved into a passion and eventually, industry leadership with a people-first approach.
"It's our people, it's our people, it's our people," Darren emphasizes as the true secret to Stor-Mor's success. This isn't just a catchphrase but a deeply held belief that has shaped their business decisions—including the surprising choice to dismantle their in-house online sales department to funnel leads to their dealers instead, resulting in a $1 million sales increase in just one month.
The conversation dives into the shed industry's evolution beyond "just building boxes," exploring vertical integration, product diversification into post-frame buildings and carports, and the crucial balance between online and brick-and-mortar sales. Darren warns against the "race to the bottom" pricing strategies while advocating for quality, service, and innovation as the path forward.
Perhaps most compelling is Darren's unwavering commitment to purpose beyond profit. "Between God and St. Jude, I'm here," he states, explaining why charitable initiatives remain central to Stor-Mor's identity. This commitment extends to his vision for the industry—calling for greater collaboration among competitors to establish ethical practices and combat growing fraud concerns.
Whether you're in the shed industry or simply appreciate stories of resilience and purpose-driven leadership, this episode offers valuable insights on transforming personal challenges into stepping stones for helping others. As Darren poignantly asks, "What's the glory in making all the money and seeing no one else's life be better around you?"

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