Derrell Roberts
CEO/Co-Founder
Roberts Family Development Center
Email Derrell
What are two things you wish you’d known as you embarked on your career?
1. I would have been better off thinking about my career in the long term and getting at least one more professional credential out of the way earlier.
2. I would have started thinking about retirement back then.
Did you have a mentor? If so, what was the most important piece of advice they gave you?
Yes. Keep learning, keep listening and never give up. Pursue your own dreams and don’t let other people put their agenda on you. Other important advice I received was from James Adwa-“Remember if it was easy, everyone would do it.” Ronie Howard-“You have to have a strong constitution to make it in life.” Edwin St. Cyr-my grandfather-“Hard work and dedication, it works every time.”
How did/do you handle work/life balance?
It’s difficult, but I try to break away when I can, golf, and learning how to get off the grid.
I have to remember that I don’t have to be “Mr. Roberts” when off the grid.
Do you have any suggestions of books, articles, websites, etc. that might help a young professional?
Read the Bible, Everything I needed to learn in life, I learned in kindergarten, and Autobiographies of Malcolm X and Jane Pittman.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell the 40 and under business professionals in our region?
Work, work, work. Focus, focus, focus, and enjoy life.
