A marketing master with a mission to serve: Derek D. Ross
by Maggie Riddle | WeINSPIRE Reporter
Greenville, NC. – Founder of The D² Group, public speaker, business strategist and consultant Derek D. Ross wears many hats. The key to success? According to Ross: always trust your instincts.
Ross’ professional journey was not always a straight path. In the midst of balancing his time as a full-time student and as a member of the track team at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he said, he struggled to choose a major. Ultimately, he changed his major four times.
He eventually decided to stick to pursuing a degree in Business with a concentration in marketing. Ross said marketing gave him the perfect combination of collaboration, communication, and creativity.
Derek D. Ross. Photo contributed by Derek D. Ross.
As a senior, Ross said he suffered a significant injury and had a difficult decision to make. A decision whether or not to finish out his athletic career or to focus on his professional aspirations.
“This was a pivotal moment where I really started to trust my instincts. I really wanted to make that transition and focus in on the next chapter of my life,” he said.
His decision led him into a career as a marketing and public relations professional followed by his enrollment at The University of Chapel Hill, where he received his Master of Business Administration in 2012. Two years later, in 2014, Ross founded his branding, integrative, marketing agency, The D² Group.
Derek D. Ross. Photo contributed by Derek D. Ross.
Listen to The Sprinkle of Inspiration podcast to hear Derek share more about inspiring story.
