Meet Derek Ross of The D² Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Ross.

Derek, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a leader of a business. I remember sitting on my grandmother’s cement steps in the mountains of Covington, VA thinking to myself, “I want to be a CEO.” Of what you might ask? I didn’t know at the time, but I knew that CEO was the goal. Throughout grade school and college, I was always in leadership positions from student government and captain of my high school and college track teams to mentoring youth and being an internship coordinator at my first job – creating new ideas or looking for ways to improve existing ideas was something I could never seem to turn off.

When I landed my first job out of college, it was actually a contract position making $1,500 per month for nine months. I didn’t have benefits or a guarantee to be hired full-time after my contract ended. What I did possess was a solution-oriented mindset, a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence; not be confused with perfection – to do the best that I knew how to with the knowledge, resources and support provided to me.

Needless to say, I was hired full-time and moved up very quickly in the company. I was managing the second-largest account at the agency, working with major corporate sponsors, influencers, etc. only to realize I was getting paid $35K less than what my title and experience would land me at other comparable agencies. It was in that moment I set my sights on landing a 6-figure job first. With my experience, connections and armed with an MBA, that would be an easy goal to achieve, right?

So, I started to pay attention, even more, learning everything I possibly could about the industry and business landscape. I paid attention to new trends, identified my weaknesses and where I would need support and resources. I started cultivating my relationships more and finding ways to serve. I built up a ton of personal brand equity with powerful executives across Fortune 500 companies, within the sports, entertainment and media industries, amongst HBCU athletic conferences, and the colleges’ & university’s Presidents and Chancellors.

I needed as much experience as possible because I had to have five years of work experience before I could apply for the Executive MBA Program at the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. When the time came, I applied and got accepted. I worked full-time while pursuing my MBA and planned an exit strategy during my last semester, saving up money, so I could focus on graduating and landing a 6-figure job. I graduated, but I couldn’t seem to land the coveted 6-figure position I was chasing after. After 25 plus job applications, customized resumes and cover letters and rejections; I was at the end of my rope. I started to think I wasn’t good enough, and that maybe I made a mistake leaving my job. I was lowkey depressed and felt like giving up.

I remember praying for direction because I was lost, and shortly afterwards, I heard, “start your own business.” I really didn’t pay attention to it, because that was the farthest thought from my mind during that time, but then I heard it again. And it got me thinking if I was going to take all of my experience, connections, knowledge plus this MBA and use it to land a 6-figure job, why couldn’t I do that and create 6-figure business?

About 18-months later, with lots of work, sacrifice and support, I signed my first 6-figure client under my own company, The D² Group.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. There have definitely been smooth moments, but the struggles were quite apparent. Here I was running a 6-figure business with a client that most would only dream of having as their first client for their business, and here I was unhappy, miserable, and I couldn’t understand why.

I was at a crossroads almost three years into my business, where I was beginning to hate my business. I didn’t enjoy what I was doing anymore. I was blaming my unhappiness on my clients, the industry; I was blaming everyone else for how I was feeling. I was comparing myself to others, and resenting them, saying things like, “I have more experience than them, and I could do it better.”

I couldn’t pinpoint what the root of the problem was. I prayed and decided to go back to the beginning; when it all started. And that’s where I discovered what was happening. I hadn’t stayed true to the purpose of my business; why I started in the first place. I hadn’t created any programs to serve future generations with the knowledge and real-world work experience. My dream had become a job. I was chasing money and clients others deemed were important, but didn’t fit the types of clients that my business was focused on serving. I felt I was in a rat race, and I heard the saying, “at the end of a rat race, you are still a rat.”

I lost my way listening to what others wanted within the walls of my business. I was lost within my own company and I had to find a way out or I was going to be consumed in the forest frustrations, and my business was going to starve and die. I overcame it by finding my voice again, changing my atmosphere. I went on a journey of self-discovery, but also to find a new tribe of people that I could become a part of, who could relate and help me through this period in my life that no one in my immediate circle could currently understand. I took a chance on me. I bet on myself. I gave myself permission to be vulnerable, be open, and try something new; and it changed everything more me.

The D² Group – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
For 16 years, I have been a trusted and reliable authority in branding and integrated marketing with a special emphasis on concept curation, content creation and public relations, serving clients in the sports and entertainment industry with a special focus on HBCU athletics, brands and events. I’ve created campaigns and led strategies for the biggest HBCU events in the country, including the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament and Football Championship, the National Battle of the Bands and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). I also help established and growing entrepreneurs and business owners clarify, create and translate ideas into actionable strategies that amplifies their voice, increases their visibility and drives impact and results.

My experience spans from brand development and advertising & media buying to crisis communications and partnership development & sponsorship activation. I know the end from the beginning when it comes to creating winning strategies and concepts. I’m also a certified mindset and business facilitator, infusing mindset coaching within my work with clients. I’m able to see what my clients can’t see and hear what they can’t hear when they talk about the vision and goals of their business or brand; so, I can identify the limiting beliefs that are preventing them from moving forward powerfully and on purpose.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is defined by the lives I get to impact with my story. To be an example of what is possible for someone else seeking to go after their dreams. To create opportunities that may not have existed before, especially for Black, Brown communities. To show up as my full self and be 100 percent of who God created me to be. To be excellent in everything I put my name on and use my hands for. To serve, and do so with significance and positive intention.

Success for me is not measured by monetary gain, but the legacy my impact leaves on this earth. Success for me is respecting yourself and not compromising who you are to make a dollar. I sleep well at night and in peace because I know the energy, I put out into the atmosphere is good. Success is creating tables for others to sit at and then teaching them how to create their own tables because there are more than enough opportunities for all of us to have a piece of the pie. Leading by example and being honest about my journey, as to not add to the false narrative that can sometimes be depicted on social media that everything is instant and easy.

Pricing:

• For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners ready to cut through the clutter and turning their vision into a powerful concept, they can book a Strategy Jam session with me for $147, www.thestrategyjam.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.derekdross.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekdross/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachDerekDRoss/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/derekdross
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekdross/

Image Credit:
Photo Credits: Good People Visuals, Captured by Kevin, Black Visa Creative.

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