DERRICK Interview with International Singer/Songwriter Estelle California

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Estelle California who is a singer/songwriter that was born in France. She started playing the piano when she was 5 years old, then saxophone and opera training. Her current life is a far cry from her childhood growing up in France, where discrimination was everywhere. In 2013, Estelle moved to Oakland, CA, where she felt drawn to the diverse and respectful community. Estelle’s lyrics offer an overall message of hope and gratitude. For more information about Estelle California please go to www.estellecalifornia.com.

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

I dream big, there were always a voice in me announcing big things coming up, but before I would resist and be on the way with my small deprecating ego, but I worked on not giving it the wheel anymore, it got very small and now I work with this voice actively to create my vision. My goal is to make some social change, to rise people up to empower them and participate in a movement that changes the white supremacist mindset we have been raised in.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I guess that because I grew up with no TV or siblings I read a lot and that is part of why I express myself writing this way, also the music obviously, a lot of the academic teaching I had in music and school blocked me in many ways as I was never fitting the mold, and was pointed as not being the way I should be and so on, but when I got over it then I could use it a resourceful language J

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out?

I would just say different and we all are, we just should be taught to embrace our differences and to be proud of them, it is the only way to be happy and to stand out. So for me I would say that the journey to get where I am today, that shaped me in who am to serve my music and my purpose is kind of unique full of darkness and gave me a lot to shine and give back, this is what the resilience is all about. And I am very grateful for all of what brought me where I am today, even the worst, there is nothing else I would like to do.

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

I think I am still realizing it, in a way, I always knew it was my destiny, even if I would forget sometimes, since I was a kid I had an idea, and recently all the winding and painful roads that lead to now, became so coherent.

I still doubt of course but I just don’t spend time in the doubt anymore, I know its not about me and I have been trained to do this all my life in all the ways not only musically at all but also my own strength and commitment and all, but also probably I have been trained from many past lives as well to do this … and that empowers me.

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

There are so many, I met so many amazing people here in the Bay. But if I have to choose one it would be Geoffrey Pete, he has a building in Oakland with two venues, every Sunday evenings there is a jazz, blues concert with food and soulful people, my favorite evening of  the week. And Geoffrey is a spiritual teacher as well not even knowing it, but he feeds the homeless for each holiday and asks us to thank them for the opportunity to serve them…. I mean how can it get more beautiful and spiritual than this….

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

Oh My… you don’t want the list 🙂 I even had to do a brain training of two years to get out of the fight or flight reflex that was not letting my brain able to command my body anymore … its to say how the journey was long to imprint me this way this deep…. But as many abused people and kids I think I was almost always shining and forgetting also a lot. The brain copes by cutting away part of you history so you can survive, I had events in my life, I would forget for few years few times, and then they would come back to me with therapy or with my writings, when I have begun to write again as an adult around maybe 27 beginning to emerge from all the drama and trauma with therapy I realized how these texts I was receiving in few minutes at night or suddenly but with no will, were a truth I would have to hang on to. This is still how I receive my song in the same process of truth coming out of me and to me.

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

I think each journey is different but for me the only key and still now, is investing time and money in me as my personal growth, my healing, my spiritual research and practice which is all the same actually and the Key to my music and my purpose.

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

Maybe you already know it with what you read but I think that we never hear it enough, all what we have to go through, the darkness, makes us who we are, shapes us to do what we have to do and be in this life. We all learn through hard lessons and the harder they are the more light we have to give back and shine. There is no curse, all happens for you not to you, I had to repeat this one a lot believe me … J we all have something unique to give to shine, and the ones who puts us down are often threatened by our light, it’s a way for them to feel safer, it’s a confession of insecurity …nothing to do with us and our self worth.

If you are a looking to have a DERRICK Interview for yourself  or for your client please reach out to Derrick Hayes and if you are a booking agent, talent buyer, meeting planner or event planner you can book or Interview Derrick Hayes the “enTIEtainer” now by visiting  www.enTIEtainer.com, emailing  info@derrickhayes.com  or calling (706) 615-1662

DERRICK Interview with Canadian iTunes Top 20 Pop Chart Singer Ed Roman

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with  Canadian iTunes Top 20 Pop chart singer, Ed Roman who is an Award-winning singer/songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist from Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. Blurring the lines between pop, rock, folk, and country music genres,
Ed’s uniquely crafted songs have received regular rotation on more than 100 terrestrial radio stations across North America and more than 600 stations, worldwide. Ed is a 2014 Artists Music Guild Award Nominee, a 2014 and 2018 International Music and Entertainment Association Award Winner, a two-time 2015 IMEA Award nominee, a 2015 and 2016 Josie Show Awards winner, an Akademia Awards Winner, and a two-time Indie Music Channel Award winner. Ed won a 2017 Radio Music Award for Best Americana Artist. Visit http://www.edroman.net for more information.

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

The Dream? Aboriginal communities consider the waking state actually a dream and when you are asleep… this is where we chase reality. Some believe that inside of our existence there is a theoretical construct or omnipotent program which predetermines despite the adage of yesteryear was “I think therefore I am” With that said I will ask you again…what is the dream?

The dream has always been to create something out of nothing that is bigger than myself. Other than moments that I have witnessed that are the exquisite manifestations of nature, I am continually humbled by my experience as a writer. The connections that I have made with people all over the world are the exact amplitude that I was hoping for as a human being. I find much of my existence extremely pedestrian and this allows my soul to cosmically connect to subtle energy that exists and flows through everything. It’s an eternal spring kind of thing.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I struggled immensely academically as a result of dyslexia. I was told at a very young age that I had a problem but I actually have come to understand and believe that it is actually a gift despite it creates social hindrances for me.

I receive the Music scholarship and award of achievement in high school and went on to college to study jazz performance and composition at Humber College. I spent a lot of time on the road which is a whole other kind of education. Things you don’t learn in school.

I also taught music for 25 years and was also head of music therapy at the Pine River Institute here in Canada for over four years. I know the things I was given as tools were nothing more than that. As a teacher I always considered myself a toolbox for my students. What was most important for me as a teacher was listening to what my students wanted to learn as far as mechanics were concerned. I would never tell them how to build their house but I would definitely show them the right tools. Those very same tools I use every day as far as construction is concerned when it comes to composition, lyric writing or just about anything that the musical moment dictates.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that make you unique or stand out?

The relinquishment of the self. The abandoning of schedule and listening to what the music requires from me. This resource was not easy to come by as it is a result of many years of tenure and the ability to let go of my ego inside of the writing experience. When I was a young player so much of what I was concerned with was prowess. Being able to live up to the expectations of my idols. Those very same expectations also promoted the loss of self and the need to break away from what I love so much to find myself. When I am myself, it is when I pay attention to what’s happening in front of me in the very moment that it’s happening. It’s almost like captured improv that later is then fortified with conscious amendments. Being myself is the most difficult Hendrix said in an interview once.. ?? It’s hard enough just being myself every day.. This is what creates uniqueness. Usually it’s heavily criticized at first before it is excepted. It’s completely natural..

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

Fantastic question!! What’s absolutely amazing about this whole experience is that I’ve never been ready. The experience is what has been ready for me. It is in fact the experience that calls on me without my participation the experience is nothing and I am nothing. I do get ready for gigs. I get ready to practice. I get ready to perform.
I get ready to record and just about everything that I need to as far as the mechanics of things. But what I’m never ready for is how the experience is going to affect me or when it’s going to happen. For me, it is a profound and as I mentioned humbling experience which in many cases I still have trouble grasping and understanding its true gravity.
I know it’s there, I know it affects me and when I perform…people listen.. This all circumnavigates the same circular feature of the unprepared preparedness of this whole beautiful experience. Ready… steady… go!

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

Ed Roman. You didn’t say if it had to be musical so I’m gonna go with Animator Nelson Diaz. I worked with Nelson and his company based out of New York City There Be Dragons Creative Media on my latest project and video release “RED OMEN”. Nelson is a fantastic animator that borders lines on the fantasy of old World animation ideas and illustration that we fell in love with his children with a 21st century modern concept and flavour. If you’ve seen SpongeBob SquarePants, kung fu panda two, TED, things on Sesame Street and Teletoon that would be Nelson’s work. And absolutely fantastically creative mind.. it was a complete pleasure to be able to work with him and I will do so in the future.

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

Ed Roman. As I mentioned above I was labelled a dyslexic at a very young age. This was one of the worst things that could’ve happened to me. Not struggling with dyslexia but being labelled as such.. I had to work three and four  times harder than most kids in grade school and high school in order to achieve a C average. I was still told by my teachers that I was lazy. At a very young age when I was diagnosed they wanted to put me on Ridellan. Thanks to my mother who said no to that…she spent countless hours with me working on word power pronunciation reading and most of all put a guitar in my hand at a very young age. That was the most powerful weapon I had at my disposal to overcome my hurdles.. Music..

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

Ed Roman. Listen to what the moment dictates. Force not your opinion but listen to those around you and things will grow stronger than you had predicted.

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

I’d like to say thank you so kindly for having me today and it’s been an absolute pleasure to be able to speak with you.

Right now my main goal is to raise a great deal of money for facilitating programs for Dyslexia tutoring. Many of the tutoring programs that were developed in the United States have to be paid for out-of-pocket and are not endorsed by federal systems or integrated into early education. 56 nations around the world, other than Canada and the
United States, have adapted it into their programs with little to no effort. I’m hoping RED OMEN can open up a dialogue between ministries of education in order to foresee this simple step through.

When I reached out with my problem I found the very thing that I was labelled with, which was dyslexia, was my biggest gift of all. Sometimes we don’t realize that our greatest hindrances are our greatest strengths. The connection that I have made through the dyslexia society here in Canada “Whole Dyslexia” and the Davis dyslexia society in the United States are always looking for public support for these kinds of programs. I asked the public to follow along with the process over the next year as I will begin a public and corporate fundraising campaign. Along with the RED OMEN Video, Whole Dyslexia and the public’s help, I know we can bring about a positive change.

Book or Interview the “enTIEtainer” now by visiting www.enTIEtainer.com, emailing info@derrickhayes.com  or calling (706) 615-1662

DERRICK Interview with Canadian Singer-Songwriter Cory M. Coons

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Cory M. Coons who released the melodic/roots-rock album “The Long Road Home” in 2018, produced by multi-platinum veteran music producer Ron Nevison, (Heart, Bad Company, Damn Yankees, Survivor, Styx, Night Ranger), along with additional stellar guitar work by musical cohort and engineer Marc D. Muir. The album is currently nominated for “Male Album Of The Year” at one of the biggest Independent Award Shows in North America, the 2019 “Josie Music Awards.”

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

My dream is pretty simple… To maintain a solid balance between my life with my loving family and my music, with an abundance of true happiness surrounded by good friends and great people. Hopefully I can continue to reach as many people as possible with my songs and music that will sustain the changing landscape, and resonate in a positive way with those who listen or become fans.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I have my High School Diploma, and I have attended Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. I feel I have gained a lot of experience in my musical career and personally, mostly through life experiences, and getting out there and doing it. Being hands on with getting in front of people and being as honest as I can with what I do.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that make you unique or stand out?

I think you have to be up on as many aspects of what you do as possible… So being an Artist and Musician isn’t always just about the music. You need to learn the tools of many different areas, not just the creative aspects. Sometimes the business element of things needs to be attended to as well. I think I have gained a better perspective and balance, and have responded pretty well to the different facets of life in music. 🙂

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

I think most of us are born ready to do what we want to follow in life… Then once we learn how to utilize the tools we are given, we can make the most of our God given talents.

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

Michael Stover of MTS Management Group, with all the great work he does for Independent Artists.

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

The loss of both of my parents in my life has been a challenge for me. But thankfully the love and support of my wife and daughter, and my music over the the past few years has helped me immensely.

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

Surround yourself with the right people, a great team of individuals and true friends!

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

Stay true to yourself and in what you do in whatever course you follow, and things will work out for the better. 🙂

For more information on Cory M. Coons please go to the following:

Website: www.corymcoons.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmc.music/
www.twitter.com/corymcoons1

YoutTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91v5RmGZ0U

(Derrick Hayes is known to the world as the “enTIEtainer” and you can book or Interview the “enTIEtainer” now by visiting https://youtu.be/RjV78v6TVOE , emailing info@derrickhayes.com  or calling (706) 615-1662)

DERRICK Interview with Inspirational Jewel Dr. Virginia LeBlanc

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Dr. Virginia LeBlanc who is a Speaker, singer, coach, consultant, educator and is the bestselling author of Love the Skin YOU’RE In: How to Conquer Life through Divergent Thinking. A highly sought-after expert with a breadth of experience across industries, she employs knowledge and know-how through her company Defining Paths to transform client circumstances from the inside out.

D is for Dream. What is your dream and what have you achieved?

My dreams are ever changing as I check off the list and have a revelation in my purpose. Perhaps the biggest “dreams” I have achieved to date are:

1) living and loving from the inside out;

2) becoming a published author; and

3) becoming a leader, influencer, and transformer of lives and entities for the better.

E is for Encourage. What encourages you?

My faith, the abundant availability of grace, and the power of love encourage me. Also, knowing that I can and do make a difference on a daily basis gives me encouragement.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out? 

I am a multi-disciplined subject matter expert who has mastered the art of convergence in know-how transference across diverse industries through divergent thinking.

R is for Ready? When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

Are we ever truly ready? As we move in our purpose, we become ready and equipped every day. You will not know until you test the waters. I made the decision to step out in faith when a host of circumstances converged pointing me in that direction, and I could no longer ignore that calling.

I is for Individual. Name at least one person that you know that you feel others should learn about and why?

This answer will always be Jesus. Walking after his example and teachings keep, correct, ground, and sustain me in love, empowerment, and peace that transcends my own understanding. When you understand how to love unconditionally, sacrifice for a greater good, and reach others through servant leadership, your perspective changes, and all of a sudden, life makes sense and is worth living.

C is for Continue. When you fail, things look bleak or are not optimistic what makes you want to continue?

Most importantly, I never fail, only gain lessons learned; it’s a mindset. My faith and the spirit within me mute fear of failure and activates/emboldens the fight in me.

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders? 

Keys to success for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders: Tune into YOUR channel; manage YOUR reality; and think divergently. Follow YOUR path to purpose, do what you were meant to do, and always be you. It may take time to figure it out, but you will figure it out, if you keep trying. Stay in the ring and ALWAYS get up from the mat!

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

A holistic approach to life is a must including the exercising of faith. Let go of fear and jump. You will find the net. It may be a little or a lot lower than you thought but you will find it. If nothing else, and faith scares you, it is the law of attraction.

Visit Dr. Virginia LeBlanc online at http://definingpaths.info for more information.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/definingpaths/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drleblanc

Instagram: @authordrleblanc

Twitter: @drleblanconline

Book or Interview the “enTIEtainer” now by visiting www.enTIEtainer.com, emailing info@derrickhayes.com  or calling (706) 615-1662

DERRICK Interview with Running Scared Author Robert Leon Davis

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Robert Leon Davis who is the Author of Running Scared and in this book he details his former life of a young, 22 year old, cocky and arrogant police officer, who committed a crime in 1979, was arrested, skipped bail, and became known as one of America’s longest running fugitives without being apprehended; for 22 years.

The U. S. Marshal Service and FBI (interstate flight to avoid prosecution) searched for him for over two decades.

The book details how he lived a nomadic life in the woods and forest, and his travels throughout various cities.

It also details how he hunted and consume wild animals, how he dealt with the elements, as well as how he conquered loneliness.

The author eventually “voluntarily surrendered” in 2001, by then nearly 50 years of age, after what he described as a revelation. The Judge gave him no prison time, but released him on probation, after assessing that he “eventually incarcerated himself”.

The author travels the country for the last 16 years speaking to potential police candidates, churches, schools, and various organizations about crime and corruption.

Since his “surrendered” he’s been featured on The 700 Club with Pat Robertson, NPR stations nationally, Snap Judgement, various newspapers, and CBS did a special segment on his life.

Now a senior citizen over 60, and looking back over 40 years ago, he now appreciates freedom.

The author was (and still is) soo sickened by his past life, (especially dishonoring the badge), that as a token of his appreciation for forgiveness, profits from his books are donated to The St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and various women and children abuse organizations.

This book is an example to all that repentance can actually be demonstrated in a positive way. His motto is;

“Learn to forgive so that you may be forgiven”.

D is for My DEVOTION to revealing the secret tactics of bad/rogue law enforcers, who has dishonored the badge and the communities trust. Many, through my website and articles, have been reprimanded or jailed. It’s a token of my bad experiences as a bad cop.

E is to EDUCATE the common citizen, also through my book and online articles, that just like you have bad carpenters, bad auto mechanics, etc., why wouldn’t one believe there are bad cops? Every vocation had a bad worker.

R is for RESPECT. Even if a law enforcer has an issue with your dreads, your style, men wearing earring, or ladies with tattoos, he must still respect you as a human.

Oftentimes, not only law enforcers, but everyday people who don’t share your style, has already determined who you are based on their physical observation of you.

I’ve personally have had to get over this hump. Just wait until they open their mouths, and you may see something totally different.

R is for Repentance. Trust me, God already knew that you and I was not made perfect; by design. Once he brought the Messiah into the picture, there could be no other perfection. The closest that we will become perfect is through repentance. In essence, you get another chance.

I is for Information. Now a days, unlike many years ago, or in the case of people of color, you can Google all sorts of information.

You can discover things you never knew. For instance, through Google, I discovered that the light bulb didn’t, “only” come from Thomas Edison’s mind, but a black person was in the “back”. The main person behind the concept along with Edison was him!

C is for COLORS of people. Listen, the color of your skin is based on a simple pigmentation issue. It has nothing to do with your successes, or lack of successes. It’s the mind, or the thinking processes of the mind. An examination of any human mind is all grey, and only weight about the same weight across the board. It’s just grey matter. The inside is what matters.

K is for Kindness. Ever been at an appointment or other venue where children of different races are together? Notice how they gravitate towards each other?

They, at that point, don’t understand racism, bigotry, or even hate. They are naturally kind to each other. Maybe some of us should look at that hard. It’s deep.

Visit www.authorsden.com/robertdavis for more information.

DERRICK Interview with Middle Man Out Entertainment Founder Darrell Boysaw

Encouragement Speaker gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Darrell Boysaw who is the Founder of Middle Man Out Entertainment. Also known to the music world as Pappa Doc Luv, an Artist, Music Creator and Entrepreneur from Central Illinois in the Twin Cities of Champaign-Urbana who moved to Sacramento in Northern California in the 90’s to pursue a football scholarship opportunity.

As Boysaw continues his musical endeavors he knows full well the importance of making sure there is food on the table and that his ends always meet so he has service ventures like Boysaw’s Moving Delivery and Transport and the Boysaw’s Jump Houses that are available for the public to support in the Sacramento area.

The beat that inspires PDL Hip Hop Heart has been influenced over the years by artists such as Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, BDP, Rakim,Redman,Dr Dre, Outcast, Dougie Fresh, Slick Rick, and the Grand MFFF.  A great moment in his career was when he  opened up for Jamie Fox at the Crest Theatre in Downtown Sacramento.

Middle Man Out Entertainment continues to thrive and stay alive because he still feels the love when the crowd understands and feels and responds to what he’s laying down.

Darrell Boysaw AKA Poppa Doc Luv is never shy with his words and leaves these words of wisdom for others to live by “Never wait on someone too long .. you’ll Never finish your music projects. I’m not going for the banana in the tailpipe, neither should anyone else. Don’t look up to anyone, just respect what they actions do.”

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

Making music that’s inspirational and appreciated. My goal is for my music to help me travel the world and create a great legacy.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I attended Delta Junior College and Sacramento State University and didn’t finish but I learned the concept of Middle Man Out and graduated with my own school of throught because I had too and I don’t like to wait. To tell you the truth what little education I have I use it to question all the BS I was taught in the US school system.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out?

I think quick so that helps me be creative on the spot, not afraid to entertain large or small crowds, decent connections to help finish music that I mostly have conceived.  I have had other businesses already working for me so that helps me not have to depend on others which helps me be able to focus on my goals and making music for souls.

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

When I invested my own money and realized most will not invest in me like me.

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

Gene Hicks because he’s reshaping the fitness world with Hip Hop Fit. His impact on people has always been enormous, he is also the my main producer on my album which is one of the the best ones I have created thus far. He is a giver.

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

Being immature, waiting on someone else to finish my project Middle Man Out

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

Middle Man Out every chance you can with everything you can.

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

Blessings to each and everyone of you that read my DERRICK Interview.

Visit www.cdbaby.com/pappadocluv for more information.

 

DERRICK Interview with Motivational Speaker and Author Jonathan Rivers

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Jonathan Rivers who has as a BS in Marketing from Auburn University and MBA from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Rivers is married to his wife Erica and they have four children; Kingston, Ezra Adah and Titus. He is also an author, motivational speaker, professional development consultant and youth coach and mentor.

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

My dream is to travel around the world with the purpose of transforming mindsets through speaking, encouraging and enlightening. I plan to create a program that sends young men and women to leadership camps to build their acumen and leadership skills, which they will bring back to the community and share with their peers.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I have my BS in Marketing from Auburn University and my MBA from the University of Phoenix. I consistently speak about the principles I learned in college such as the product life cycle and human capital. I also discuss my experiences of discovering my purpose, overcoming adversity and building relationships.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out?

I consider myself unique because of my versatility. I am a powerful and passionate storyteller with knowledge and experience because of my background as a former collegiate athlete, high school educator, motivational speaker and believer in Christ.

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

I realized I was ready to run my own speaking and consulting business when I was laid off from the University of Phoenix in 2014. I applied for at least 40 jobs and got told no every single time. I then knew I wasn’t being told no to anyone’s organization; I was being told yes to my purpose!

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

Darren Palmer is my publisher, one of my mentors and a driven individual. He is the owner of his own self publishing company (selfpublish-N-30days) and he has helped me step into a new level of greatness. His vision and preciseness regarding his professional direction is inspiring and beneficial to anyone.

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

I was abandoned by my father at birth and raised by a single mother. I was sexually abused as a child and involved in multiple life threatening car accidents. There was a time I only had $30 in my checking account but I did not allow those circumstances to make me a victim because I chose to allow them to make me a victor.

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

1. Do not compere yourself to anyone else! God made each of us in his mold, but unique in our own way. Everyone has a purpose and it is not predicated on being just like the next person. Work to be better than you were yesterday, rather than being better than someone else.

2. Be intentional about everything in your life! Too many people live life on cruise control with a laissez faire attitude because they don’t care what may transpire. If you don’t intentionally create your road to success, you are creating your road to mediocrity.

3. Learn, Learn, Learn! Continue to research what it is that you want to pursue in life. Do not allow the opportunity to learn be stripped because of arrogance or your perception of a specific source. Life is a teaching tool and it needs to be observed.

Visit www.Jonathanbamrivers.com for more information.

 

DERRICK Interview with Global Business Leader Vijay Eswaran

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Vijay Eswaran who is a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and philanthropist and the author of the best-selling book In the Sphere of Silence. An economist by training, he is the founder of a multimillion-dollar global business, A well-known thought leader in Asia, he has written and spoken extensively about business, leadership, personal development, and life management. His new book Two Minutes from the Abyss published by Networking Times Press is now available as an eBook on Amazon.

D is for Dream. What is your dream, goals or what have you achieved?

My dreams of yesterday have been surpassed in many ways. I now yearn for dreams of today, which are of far greater significance to me. When I was in my teens, I dreamt of owning a Ferrari. I eventually got one (and it was a big deal at the time!), though getting in and out of it was more of a bother than it was worth! Comfort became a lot more important than speed.

Throughout my 20s, 30s, and 40s, my dreams have dramatically changed in essence, direction and depth. Earlier, my goals were materialistic in nature; today, I am focused more on spirituality and self-actualization.

I’ve come a long way in my life’s journey, and what I have achieved over the years is not as significant, when I look towards my dreams of today. At one point, making a billion dollars seemed an impossible goal. Not so much anymore. And with age and experience I have come to realize that there is only so much one can spend! What I now know is, whatever money you make in this lifetime it is never truly yours. You are merely a custodian of it before it moves on to someone else after you.

That’s why, today I dream of touching a billion hearts. Making a difference in the lives of a billion people and empowering them to live their life as they should. To its fullest potential.

E is for Education. What is your educational background and how do you use it daily?

I am a firm believer that education should focus only on helping an individual develop a vocation, rather than find an occupation. I spent years earning a college degree and training to be an economist and ended up working for others for a decade instead of following my heart to become an entrepreneur.

My education became somewhat of an anchor preventing me from leaving the security of the harbour. A part of me resisted the pull because I felt like I was abandoning all those years of hard work and investment I put into earning my educational qualification. I felt I had sacrificed so much to earn that degree and was obligated to put it to good use.

Today, I am still undecided as to whether my education served me in good stead or not. When I look at the top 10 richest men in the world and realize that most of them droped out of college, I am not so sure if my degree was of great use to me, or a great impediment.

However, it is the gap year – I call it the year of ‘debunking school’ – that I found most educational. I spent a year travelling around Europe, which taught me how to live and adapt to different cultures and countries, it taught me empathy, and opened up the world to me and me to the world. It taught me three values that I carry with me until today – Adapt, Adjust, Accommodate.

R is for Resource. What resources do you bring to the table that makes you unique or stand out?

I am a non-conformist by nature and therefore I have an instinctive need to think out of the box. I cannot walk into a room and simply agree with everything I hear. Many a time when I find my team is discussing and agreeing to go in a particular direction, in my mind I am already looking for another, usually opposite direction. This is not to cause chaos, but to provide a different perspective and ensure that a given situation or problem is being examined from all angles.

I prefer to think of myself as a contrarian, and a disruptor by nature. Many have called me a maverick. My life has been one of lifelong rebellion. Accepting the norm has just never worked for me.

R is for Ready. When did you realize you were ready for what you are doing now?

I always knew I was going to be an entrepreneur. I was 35 when I made the decision to give up full-time employment and dive head first into building my company. In my case it was not so much about being ready, but about making that decision.

And that is what I tell anyone who asks me for advice on preparing for entrepreneurship. You start by making a decision. And from there on it becomes a process of making a series of decisions that lead you to where you are meant to be. You rarely make right decisions at the start, but that’s part of the process. I prefer to work on making those decisions right.

If you wait for the right moment to do something, wait for the stars to align, for Venus and Jupiter to cross paths in the sky, you will keep waiting. I don’t think there is such a thing as being ready to begin something. I don’t think any of today’s successful leaders or entrepreneurs were ready to be where they are today. They made a decision and dove right into it.

I is for Individual. Name at least one individual in your network that others should learn more about and why?

There have been so many individuals who have guided me to where I am today, those who I consider my mentors.

My parents have been my greatest mentors. They have molded and guided me to think the way I do. My father instilled in me an important lesson when I was growing up: Service above self. I live my life by that credo.

There have been many others who appeared at various stages in my life who guided me through many ups and downs. Some of your finest mentors in life will come from the more unexpected places. Be open to them all. I have received wisdom from janitors and taxi drivers.

Know that you don’t always need to meet or know a person in order to learn from them or be influenced by them. Among the many great historical figures whose lives and lessons shaped my thoughts and my world, are Nelson Mandela whose life was his most powerful sermon to the world; Martin Luther King who filled me with so much passion and an abundance of fervour as to the equality of man; John F Kennedy who till today continues to inspire me with his brand of optimism and a flair for touching the hearts of those he spoke to, and Mother Teresa, whose abundance of love left a resounding wake in her path.

C is for Challenges. What challenges have you had to overcome?

Every challenge I ever faced felt enormous at the time and left me the better for it afterwards. The ones that I have beaten have taught me what I know, and the ones that have beaten me have taught me what I do not know. Either way, I live for every challenge, for without them it is hardly worthwhile to do what I am doing now.

I have encountered far too many challenges to count. When I first started out as an entrepreneur it seemed as if nothing was going my way. I didn’t have anyone to guide me; no one in my family had any experience with entrepreneurship. I had no powerful connections, or external funding. No one believed I could achieve what I set out to do. But I know I wasn’t meant to waste my life making money for other people. I’m so grateful I found like-minded partners, and the support of my wife. We’ve faced many setbacks over the years and continue to do so till today but I believe that if I don’t face them head on, I’m no longer progressing in my life.

I see challenges as opportunity for growth and progress. In the eventuality there are no more challenges in the offing, then I find myself duty bound to create one— be it for myself or those who follow me!

K is for Key. What keys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

If only there existed a secret key to success, someone would have found it by now. The real secret is that each person must find his own key. I think an important aspect that many young people obsessed with winning at all times don’t realize is that it is dangerous to be successful the very first time. If you have never failed, you will never understand the value of success. It’s better to fail before one succeeds because that is the best way to learn. The worst failure is to allow yourself to be trapped in success.

Success does not teach. The longer you stay in its clutches, the more you regress.

Is there anything that we did not touch on that you would like to inspire others with?

You life is your greatest gift. Live life well by embracing everything it has to offer. Welcome challenges with patience, and enthusiasm.

Success does not respond to wishes. It responds only to definite plans, backed by definite desires, through constant persistence, perseverance and patience. Success, like life responds in equal measure to your ability to respond to it. Respond infinitely, respond limitlessly.

Visit http://www.vijayeswaran.com/ for more information about Vijay Eswaran and if you are an entrepreneur, expert or celebrity and you are looking for a way to promote you and the things you do then contact us for a DERRICK Interview.

Derrick Hayes is also known to the world as the “enTIEtainer” as he tells stories through neck ties to empower others to greatness.  Book the “enTIEtainer” now by visiting www.derrickhayes.com, emailing info@derrickhayes.com or by calling (706) 615-1662

 

 

 

DERRICK Interview with Buy Black Podcast Host Gerald Jones

Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives a DERRICK Interview by asking 7 questions through each letter of his first name to give you an insightful perspective from other experts, entrepreneurs, celebrities and up and coming super stars.

Today’s DERRICK Interview is with Gerald Jones who is a husband and father living the dream in Omaha, NE. Professionally, who has been serving our nation’s military for 17 years across two service branches (US Marine Corps Reserve & US Air National Guard) while creating a rewarding civilian career as a Training, Performance, and Management Consultant. When he’s not working you can find him at the nearest basketball court or golf course (depending on the season), but the thing he loves to do most is Help Other People Win by organizing and structuring their personal goals.

Gerald started the Buy Black Podcast with the Mission to Draw Consumers and Business Owners together to Ignite the Global Black Economy.  Through this platform our socially conscious listening community will connect with black business owners and their companies, learn about their products or services, and support Black-Owned Businesses by buying from them.  Each week Mr. Jones brings you a new, compelling interview with an entrepreneur who will share their story, teach us some useful business information, and share their number one piece of advice for the Buy Black community as a whole.

What is your (D) ream, goals or what have you achieved?

I’ve achieved a great deal in my life, all of which set me up to realize what my dream is.  As of today, I’m at the beginning of the path to achieve it.  My dream is to create a platform that has a global impact in changing the way that we, as human beings see and interact with each other.  In short, I want to make the word “tolerance” a thing of history.  I want to crack the very difficult psychological code that moves people from “tolerating” the differences that make us unique to actively loving and appreciating how those differences make our teams, our communities, and our societies stronger.  “Build strength through diversity” is one of my personal core values, and I plan to instill that value into as many people across the planet as I possibly can.  My first effort toward achieving that goal is devoted to rebuilding economic strength and independence in the Black community.  I have developed and plan to grow a communications platform that offers free marketing exposure to black business owners via my podcast and forthcoming black business directory online.  When I close my eyes, I envision this podcast with an audience over 100,000 and a business directory with as many or more monthly visits, both of which will provide free exposure and listing for black business owners, as well as a reliable place where consumers can come to patronize black businesses and support our greater community.

What is your (E) ducational background and how do you use it daily?

I have an Associate’s Degree in Intelligence Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  Additionally, I am a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance, Gold Certified in using the New World Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation, and an ICAgile Certified Professional.  While I continue to serve our nation’s intelligence analysis efforts, my passion and daily devotion is in training, process improvement, and business development.  In my traditional career as an associate in a major consulting firm, I use my Intelligence & Training backgrounds as well as by Business degree to provide performance consultation to U.S. military organizations, helping them streamline processes in order to allow their Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to spend more time and energy focused on their missions.  In my personal time, I am building the Buy Black Podcast from the ground up, establishing a foundation of valuable evergreen content that will continue to draw a larger audience over time.  As a one man show, I’m responsible for everything from book keeping to marketing…from booking guests to editing, producing, and publishing my audio tracks.

What (R) esources do you bring to the table that make you unique or stand out?

Throughout my life, I have ascribed to the philosophy that you should identify the things you love, the things you’re passionate about, and become an expert in them.  Since we all have different skills and different passions, it stands to reason that we will have different combinations of overlapping capabilities.  What has made me unique in the marketplace to this point has been my experiences.  Very few people have taken a path similar to mine in life, which means few people are qualified to provide the kind of education and consultation that I can.  I spent 8 years as an infantryman in the United States Marines.  Since leaving that branch, I have spent 9 years as an Air Force intelligence analyst.  As a civilian, I educated myself on Instructional Systems Design and Training Facilitation, using that Google knowledge and subsequent real-world experience to earn and become a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP).  What makes me stand out in any environment is that I can learn any system within a short period of time and identify ways to streamline and improve it to save resources while making a bigger impact.  It is how I landed by position as a performance consultant long before I had a Bachelor’s Degree.  It is that unique ability that I am using to build my podcast platform today.

When did you (R) ealize you were ready for what you are doing now?

Last year, in the summer of 2016, I had just finished by bachelor’s degree and was looking for my next project.  The CPLP tests were months away, so I had no immediate challenge ahead of me.  At that time, on July 5^th & July 6^th, I saw the videos of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile murdered.  More than any previous tragedy of the kind, the deaths of those men affected me deeply, to the point of action.  I made up my mind then that I would have to do something that could impact the world beyond my family and small circle…so I began brainstorming.  Over the next 9 months I tried several small projects…doing Facebook live videos, posting motivational quotes and images to connect with people, but those things were too small scale.  In that period I had also begun listening to several business education podcasts, and I began to think about what kind of podcast I might be able to create.  Finally, in April 2017, I happened to reconnect with a friend from my childhood on Facebook.  When I went to her page, I saw that she did lots of research on black owned businesses and was posting articles about them on her page to help promote them, simply because that was her passion.  That was the final piece of the pie.  The idea for the Buy Black Podcast came to me and over the next two months I put everything in line to produce and publish the show to the world.  On July 5^th, 2017, I went live with the first show.  I chose that date to honor Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

Name at least one (I) ndividual in your network that others should learn about and why.

I would say Gerald Harris.  He and I grew up in the same town competing against each other in sports.  He is now the Student Engagement Coordinator at Duke University and is also becoming very active in the local political scene in Raleigh-Durham.  Remember the name, I predict it will be common in your household in the not too distant future.

What (C) hallenges have you had to overcome?

The toughest thing that I have had to overcome is my own personal growth as a human being and a man.  I have spent a great deal of my life looking at the world through the eyes of hegemonic patriarchy.  I have challenged myself to confront my subconsciously sexist views of women, homophobic and transphobic views, my religious views, my political views, everything.  After building a course on Analytic Tradecraft and Critical Thinking for the military, I spent so much time teaching people how to question their own views and biases that I became mired in doing the same to myself.  I went through a period of intense personal growth.  It was painful to look in the mirror and see who I really was, how I had previously viewed and treated people (even if only in my own mind), and determine to change the way I interacted with the world.  In the end, I came to one conclusion.  Jesus stated that the greatest commandments were to love God with everything that is of you and in you (paraphrasing), and to love your neighbor as yourself.  All of the laws and the prophets hang on those two commandments.  I made a decision to live my life actively loving other people in and on whatever walk of life is true to them, and to do everything in my power to help make their lives better, stronger, and fuller.  Since that time, challenges just haven’t seemed so challenging, and no matter what happens I am always content with the outcome.

What (K) eys to success can you leave for upcoming entrepreneurs and leaders?

Everyone has their different keys and tips for what to do to be successful.  In my heart, I believe the absolute most important thing that anyone, be it a person or a business, needs to be successful is a Mission, a Vision, and a set of Core Values.  I believe people need to invest the time to identify those three things for their lives, write them down, post them where they can be seen, then proceed to live every moment in life adhering to those values, working in their mission, to make the vision become a reality.  Our Core Values are a statement of who we believe, in our best selves, that we want to be.  Our Mission is what we believe our purpose is in life…why we were put on this Earth.  Our Vision is the end game, the future that we want to create for ourselves, our families, and our communities.  All of these give us the “Why” of being on this planet, doing what we do.  I’ll leave the “how” and “what” tips to someone else.  For reference, my personal Core Values are a list of action statements.  I don’t believe in using cliché, abstract words to describe “values”.  No, your values must invoke ACTION in order for them to be real.  My Core Values Are:

• Love People and Lead from Your Heart
• Exhibit Ethical & Intellectual Integrity
• Build Strength Through Diversity
• Listen for Understanding
• Practice Innovative Entrepreneurship
• Model the Behaviors You Want to See in Others
• Always Exceed Expectations

Visit http://buyblackpodcast.libsyn.com/ for more information.

Book The WOE Man Show

In the summer of 2017 you can bring in the WOE Man Show to give motivation inspiration and encouragement to your group youth church program city town organization association school college business or company.

While faced with divorce with his after college sweetheart Derrick Hayes moved with a friend and slept on his apartment floor without a bed for over a year. Next to Derrick was a bible that read woe is me and a dictionary that defined woe as a trial and tribulation. When Derrick pulled out a pen and pad he received his life changing statement, “Before you leave work or go to sleep tonight, give someone a WOE, a Word Of Encouragement.”

Derrick had Derricknyms but when facing adversity the universe used him to give the world WOE by speaking to him through words so that others would receive entertainment education and elevation.

The WOE Man Show came to life after Derrick Hayes developed his craft  as a Motivational Speaker at several events sponsored by such entities as the U.S. Department of Commerce, Subway, Legacy Chevrolet, Brown Sanders College, Georgia State University, Tennessee Childcare Facilities Corporation, Mississippi 4-H, American Camping Association, Bowie State University, Tennessee State University, Georgia Power, Jackson State University, and many others.

Derrick Hayes is never selfish with his success as he gives back to others by providing them with guest blogging opportunities, publicity with DERRICK Interviews, recognition via his blog Today’s Honoree and motivation with The DAILY Message and the Android and iPhones app Motivation To Your Mobile.

Book the WOE Man Show by visiting www.derrickhayes.com, emailing info@derrickhayes.com and by calling (706) 615-1662.