It takes a certain personality to ace the entrepreneurial game, and Derrick Grace II perfectly embodies it. Over the past decade the best-selling author, educator, investor, inventor, and marketing guru has built up an impressive independent multimillion dollar empire consisting of six diverse businesses. There’s never a dull moment for the entrepreneur, as he runs Between GraceBotics, The Grace Assets, Grace Ultimate Gun Store, Grace Essentials, Unlearn and Relearn, and My Grace Tribe. Each business is unique in its own way, but all are built with the same principles of self-education, self-love, self-preservation, and self-awareness.

Derrick Grace II knew that the entrepreneurial path was the one for him at a young age. He’d always had an independent spirit, describing himself as a mischievous child who struggled with obedience to authority figures. Prior to starting his own business, Derrick joined the daily grind as a 911 dispatcher. At just 21 years old he decided to make a name for himself and start his own business. After losing his job, Derrick knew the only way forward was creating something where he only needed to depend on himself.

The entrepreneur owes his key business instincts to his parents. The son of a law enforcement officer and a school teacher (his father and mother, respectively), Derrick has always known the importance of dedication and integrity. His parents told him that he could have anything he wanted as long as he worked hard enough for it. Derrick was taught a sense of entitlement, but also had the capability to ask himself whether or not he had earned that sense of entitlement. His mother built up his confidence and taught him how to properly express himself, while his father educated him about the necessary principles required to earn and manage money. To this day Derrick still sticks to his father’s four elements of earning money.

Derrick’s desire for independence and strong work ethic paid off. It didn’t take long for his business to kick off and rapidly expand. With ten years in the game under his belt, Derrick is now running an empire that runs as smoothly as the 96 Bulls. He’s had to learn the art of time management, successfully balancing his six businesses while finding the time to nurture himself and his family. Despite the challenges, Derrick knows it’s all worth it at the end of the day. Nothing beats having complete creative control of his businesses and living life on his own terms. He’s especially proud of creating a business that has allowed him to give opportunities back to four generations of his family.

At the end of the day Derrick wants to be remembered for his family, his business, and achieving it all in his own way. He never conformed to anything or anyone, always handling things on his terms. An independent nature and strong dedication is the perfect combination for an entrepreneurial spirit.

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