Hidden Gems: Meet Derkey O. Ford of The Derkey O. Ford Business Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derkey O. Ford.

Hi Derkey O., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sure. My journey’s been about service, growth, and building something that lasts. I started in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer and operations specialist where I deployed twice to Afghanistan, and went on over 300 missions. That taught me how to lead under pressure and stay focused no matter what.

After the Military, I earned my undergrad from Shaw University and later went for my MBA. While working at the Department of Veterans Affairs. When I became a father, that changed everything. It gave me a bigger reason to build, not just for myself, but for legacy.

That’s when I launched Uraeus Inc., my branding and marketing company. It started with graphic design, then grew into full creative direction and artist business management. Over the years, I’ve worked with both independent R&B artists and artists signed to major labels like Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Generation Now and OTF only the family. I’m big on helping creatives own their business, their name, and their future.

I also created The Entrepreneur Flash Deck, a tool that helps new business owners get clear on what they need to launch. And now just finished my first book, The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint — it’s everything I wish I had when I started.

These days I split time between Philly and Raleigh, raising my daughter, building brands, managing artists, and helping other entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground. I’m all about strategy, ownership, and turning vision into reality.

Today I look back and realize it takes lot of passion, commitment and discipline. Discipline is what I honor most, I pride myself in staying principled and standing within my morals and personal ethics. I don’t believe you can get anywhere with out self discipline.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s a quote I always come back to. People say I get a little philosophical sometimes, but it’s real: You have to know where you are to get where you’re headed. Just like when you’re using GPS, it always starts by figuring out your current location. Without that, you’re just stuck. And that’s how life’s been for me. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

I’ve had to push through a lot. Family issues, financial setbacks, even some legal hurdles. And there were moments I looked around wondering how I was gonna make it through. But every time I paused and looked back, I realized just how far I’d come and that kept me moving forward.

Thankfully, I’ve had solid people around me who reminded me of who I am, especially in moments where doubt started creeping in. Nothing I’ve done has come easy. Every dream, every idea I’ve chased has come with its own set of challenges. So I’ve learned to just keep a steady pace, stay grounded, and keep going no matter what.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Absolutely. I recently launched The Derkey O. Ford Business Agency, based out of Philadelphia, and it’s a business built for entrepreneurs, creatives, and industry professionals who are serious about structure, sustainability, and success. We specialize in finance, accounting, and business management consulting but we do it with a modern, strategic approach that blends corporate-level systems with the real-world flexibility that artists, entertainers, and small business owners actually need.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just offering surface level guidance or generic templates. Whether you’re trying to set up your business properly, get your finances right, or navigate the entertainment industry, we help you build from the inside out. We know the music industry, touring logistics, brand development, and how to keep creatives in control of their intellectual property and income.

Our clients include artists, managers, brand owners, and startup founders especially those in music and entertainment who need clarity and support on business formation, tour budgeting, contract review, and setting up the financial systems they’ve never been taught.

One of the things I’m most proud of brand wise is what we’re building through education. My upcoming book, The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint: Navigating the First Year of Business, is designed to walk new entrepreneurs step by step through building a solid business foundation. It covers financial management, business formation, business law, accounting for small businesses, marketing, branding, and more. It’s written for real people, not just MBA graduates. It’s practical, strategic, and packed with real life insights from the field.

The book will be available this July on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and in hundreds of bookstores nationwide, and it will also be sold directly through my website: www.entrepreneurflashdeck.com. This launch ties into a larger mission—giving people the tools they need to not just dream, but execute with confidence.

At the end of the day, this brand is about ownership, education, and empowerment. I want people to know that you don’t have to have everything figured out, but with the right structure and strategy, you can build something powerful. And I’m here to help make that happen.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
For the most part self awareness, remember you have to know where you are to know or get to where you are headed,..

It’s easy these days to get caught up in comparison or pressure to have it all figured out. But I’ve learned that being real with yourself, being steady, and staying aligned with your purpose is what creates that long-term success. That’s the approach I bring into my businesses, my book, and the work I do with other entrepreneurs. We don’t need perfection we need clarity, consistency, and the discipline to keep it moving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WWW.EntrepreneurFlashdeck.COM
• Instagram: Platinum_Derk