Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Blank.
Hi Jerry, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Jerry Blank, a San Diego resident since the 90s when my military family moved here. This sun-soaked city has been integral to my journey, fostering the connections and experiences that have shaped my career.
I’d say my journey into entrepreneurship was unconventional, given my lack of formal education. Instead, I opted for real-life lessons after a brief stint in college. The world of online sales on eBay in the early 2000s was my first taste of business, an experience that went on to complement my other income sources.
The San Diego nightlife scene was a detour for me; I spent a few years as a club promoter. It was fun, but I soon realized that I craved something more sustainable and meaningful. This epiphany led me back to online sales and into the fascinating world of convention exclusive arbitrage.
One serendipitous encounter at a comic convention with a San Diego local who worked for Sony Interactive led me onto a new path. That conversation triggered my lifelong dream of making toys, specifically toys inspired by the legendary Stan Lee. The ensuing journey was marked with peaks and valleys, but it eventually led me to work with Stan Lee’s team. If you’ve seen merchandise or toys bearing Stan Lee’s likeness from 2013 to 2018, you’re looking at the fruits of my labor.
My journey with Stan also introduced me to Daniel Fujii, a friend who later became my business partner. Together, post Stan’s passing in 2019, we founded Dogu Productions and embarked on our current endeavor: Dogu Publishing, under the aegis of Dark Horse Comics. As an Asian-American CEO of a publishing company with massive distribution through Penguin Random House, I feel proud yet humbled. Being part of the third-largest comic book and graphic novel producer is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
Our goal at Dogu is to spotlight compelling content, particularly from creators who may not fit the traditional mold. We leverage our tech-savvy nature and data-driven approach to identify trends and give creators worldwide a stage to shine. With our partnership with the Philippines’ GMA Network, we hope to bring beloved Filipino content like Encantadia to Western audiences, servicing the underrepresented Filipino community in the U.S.
The path has been eclectic, from being a part of a startup, Boxes, which was acquired by Loot Crate, to co-founding another startup, Fanmio. These ventures were exciting chapters in my journey, deserving of their own narrative. But in the end, it’s all about engaging, compelling content and giving creators the recognition they deserve.
And as we look ahead, we’re driven by our commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the belief that the best stories are yet to be told. But at the core of it all, it’s the resilient spirit of San Diego that truly shapes my journey, continually inspiring me to reach new heights.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship is a crazy ride. It’s all about rolling with the punches and making quick changes as you go. You’ve got to think ahead about what could trip you up and be ready for it. One big thing I had to learn was how to pull a team together. The light bulb moment came when I heard this basketball comparison: you can’t win with a team of all-point guards or all centers. You need a mix of people, each with their own skills. That’s what makes a winning team.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Nailing down what I do is tricky since I’ve got my hands on many things. But if I had to pick a title, I guess it would be ‘business developer.’ I dive into stuff that sparks my interest, so it never feels like work.
One standout moment in my career was working with Stan Lee. Imagine this: they trusted a young, wide-eyed entrepreneur like me to be the gatekeeper of his image. That experience taught me a ton and reinforced my confidence in my understanding of the market. It proved that my ideas weren’t just cool to me personally but made sense from a sales and data perspective. I’m a big nerd, so rational is if I like then there would be others like me I can sell to.
In terms of what sets me apart, I guess I’m a bit of a daredevil. If there’s a 10% chance of success, I’ll take it and run, even if there’s a 90% chance of failure. That doesn’t mean I’m reckless, though. It’s all about considering what could go wrong and having a backup plan. I’ve crashed and burned plenty of times, but I don’t let it get to me. I dust myself off, learn my lesson, and apply it to the next adventure.
I’m also a big believer in my support system, my circle of family and friends. I know they’ll have my back if I fall. It’s this rock-solid faith in them that gives me the courage to take risks.
Plus, I’m a people person. I’ll chat with anyone and everyone. Over time, this knack for connecting with people, a skill I honed during my promoter days, has become one of my greatest assets.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
You must wake up every day with a purpose.
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