THE PEOPLE’S REALTOR®
life-changing experience that helped him define what kind of man he wanted to become.
By Ruth Gnirk Photos by Scott Golmic
“The path I had been on was not leading to success,” recalls Derrick, “and I realized that it never would. I learned that even ‘small’ choices can have long-term consequences. I also learned how to take responsibility for myself. My relationship with God started then, and I did an entire 180-degree turn. I would not be the man I am today without that event happening. I owe so much to first and foremost to Jesus, and then to the amazing family that He blessed me with.”
“If people only remember one thing about me, let it be my passion and purpose to help others,” says REALTOR® and serial entrepreneur Derrick Richardson. “Real estate is what I do, but giving back to people is who I am.” Jacksonville native Derrick Richardson has learned invaluable lessons from every experience in life, even the difficult ones. Derrick is the youngest of four children. His father, a minister, was very diligent and inspired Derrick’s work ethic. His mother’s courage in the face of health issues taught Derrick to be willing to take risks on himself.
Derrick rising star
RICHARDSON
“Some would say that my siblings and I grew up financially challenged,” Derrick muses. “But the way I recall it is that our parents taught us to have a heart for others, even when we didn’t have a lot. We were raised not only to survive but to love. I learned to find value in myself and in others, and to try to leave others better than they were before we met.” FROM SURVIVING TO STRIVING
Shortly after graduating from Forrest High School (now known as Westside High), Derrick had a
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Derrick didn’t have to think too hard to decide on his college major. He capitalized on his childhood love of the written word. He had been passionate about reading and writing poetry for years, and found great release in expressing his hopes and thoughts in various written forms. In 2014, Derrick graduated magna cum laude from University of North Florida, earning a degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations. He worked a corporate job for a short time that was mentally stimulating but not fulfilling. Derrick wanted to help people in meaningful ways and to be able to connect to those he was serving. He found greater satisfaction when he began working for Wounded Warrior Project in the spring of 2015. After earning his master’s in Strategic Communication from Purdue University in 2016, Derrick worked as a Wounded Warrior Project marketing specialist. A year later he was offered a position as a senior marketing specialist at EverBank.
Before 2020 was over, Derrick had completed a nonprofit management certification program from UNF. After working for employers like the Florida Department of Transportation and FIS Global, he dove into real estate full-time. INVESTING IN PEOPLE
Inspired by a challenge issued to him by a 20-year real estate veteran, Derrick invests in people on a personal level. He’s had the same phone number since he was 16 so that people always know how to reach him. He intentionally touches base with current customers as well as those he has recently served in real estate and marketing. And he strives to make himself readily available to mentees, community members, and his church family. “I see myself as a community servant, helping others accomplish their dreams with peace of mind,” Derrick reflects. “I cannot truly succeed until I help others succeed. For me, success is not about social media likes or buying leads. It is about establishing a trust-based relationship with a person and their family, and then serving them for generations.” Derrick is also intentional about investing in himself and his business. He sets aside time for family and community service, and he distinguishes between work hours and home time. He tries to continuously maintain the attitude of a student, keeping an open mind and a humble heart. Derrick does not compare himself with others in real estate, marketing, or life in general. He simply competes with himself to be a better person and a more skilled professional each day.
PASSION + PURPOSE
Although he appreciated his corporate marketing job, Derrick wanted to provide more personalized service, tailored to each client’s goals. In 2017, he branched out as a professional freelancer, providing marketing, public relations, and communication services, as well as web design and creation. By 2018, Derrick had saved enough to purchase his first home. He became completely intrigued by the process and realized that becoming involved in the real estate industry would allow him to accomplish meaningful work that impacted generations. Derrick began taking real estate classes at night in late 2019, and by February 2020 he had passed the exams and was a licensed REALTOR®. Within the next month, Derrick had joined United Real Estate Gallery. Two months after becoming a REALTOR®, Derrick completed his first closing and created a property concierge and management company called Richardson Management Services.
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Jacksonville Real Producers • 31
