Meet Derrick DeLeon

We recently connected with Derrick DeLeon and have shared our conversation below.

Derrick, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.

I’ve learned over time that we hold our feelings to a high standard and an uncontrollable standard. Its easy to retaliate and give someone that same energy because all that haters are familiar with is that negative energy, so why not give them something unfamiliar. I pay no attention to it but the key to it, is emotionally detaching from the feeling of what others say. They really dont walk in your shoes, so of course they will have something to say and it may be due to how they do things, but that doesn’t always mean to hate on others for your own lack of strength because you are envious. Keep it moving and understand that it will cost you more to respond than it will to go about your day.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the founder and owner of the Be Great brand which my daughters co-ow it with me — Nyellie and Melaya. The Be Great brand was built from the financial industry I was in, once I seen that we could start our own brand, I was mind blown and I was 100% in. Inspired by Quireace Cobb of T2B, I was fascinated with it all and he helped me get my start. Took me 2 months to come up with something impactful and non cliche and one day I repeated it over and over and it stuck with me and then since im a De Leon, I wanted to represnt my DeLeon family who is a big family all over Colorado and some other parts of the country.

I am affiliated with Roc Nation and did some previous projects with Cash Money. Currently I am building my media and entertainment company called Be Great Revolution. I went out to the 2 hot radio Super Bowl Showcase in New Orleans. I got the invitation to go to Santa Clara for the Super Bowl next year, which happens to be on my birthday, so 2026 is already getting scheduled and in major ways. My daughters and I just came off of tour for Stevie Stone, it was a great experience and definitely not for the faint, it was a monumental moment for me as a vendor to be on tour bevause it seems so unheard of. Music managing was just one of many hats that I wore, I am independent and I work with other artists through various platforms, helping them get to the next level. I am in media and entertainment industry as well as a Vice President on a Non Profit — Generational Opportunities. Media and Entertainment is another world, it’s not something that you wake up and decide to do, it does take a major plan especially when it comes to the value that you need to bring and present as an asset. That’s why I encourage to give people a sample, act as an intern or you will become discouraged very easily. It took me damn near a year before I started making money in all the industry’s and now I’m doing business with some of the most prolific and business minded people.

My daily schedule consists of about 4-5 hrs of sleep and I’m working all other hours and all 7 days. It doesn’t stop. I tell my team all of the time that we are in a unqie situation and we are here to help others get to that next level. I live and I will die by my brand — BE GREAT. Once you get to the level of people recognizing you and your hard work, it really is hard to stop. I get told to slow down all of the time and its a habit of mine to maintain the stride uphill.

My daughters are coming along with me for most of the events and are involved with a lot of stuff including the tour we went on. They love everything that I do but also understand how hard it is. Some things I am careful with when to bring them around because of the environment that is presented. My job is to protect them at all costs and that won’t ever stop but they get to see my life in full effect and what’s possible for them if they choose too.

Some events I have coming up is the Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat and at that game we will be honoring my late and great brother — Christian Santamaria who passed away in a tragic accident back in March. RIP my brother—#ForChristian🪽. February we will be heading back to the Super Bowl showcase and I will be having a Be Great launch party around that time. I have John Alarid headlining his very own show December 4th.

I will be launching a Be Great Christmas line as well, so for anyone who would like to get with the movement and tap into your greatness, go check it out — DeLeonBeGreat.com

I want to take a moment to recognize my Mom and my Dad, they are my biggest support system and they too are fascinated with what I’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. I love you guys ALWAYS! To my brother—Zach, who is a script writer and him and I are working on a short film, we have an INCREDIBLE story that will sure catch people’s attention.

My focus is to provide opportunities for people around me and grow my team. Not only do I want to be the greatest but I want to build an empire that can see the same success. The mind will take you further than the heart ever will and I believe that, which is also why my mantra is to Believe. Become. Be Great.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The first quality was to always showcase the vibrancy of who I was, connecting with people is where I found my confidence and it resulted in a much bigger change in my life. Being a people person is key especially in music and entertainment.

Secondly — that people person brought me to a more positive mindstate and it attracts people drastically. Pay no mind to those who negatively impact others or get others to speak out just to fit in. I wasn’t afraid to be alone, why? Because I knew that I had that others didn’t and having the abundance of life that I do, God by my side, I know alone will never actually be a thing for me unless I allow it to be.

The third thing was to work hard at all costs. Betting on myself, tunning out the outter noise and in the process, eliminating distractions. One may think, how do I do that? Okay, well heres an example: who plays video games and without making a single excuse, for what reason does that help you? We all have the same 24 hours in a day but guess what, do you go to bed early or do you go to bed late? Regardless, you have time and how you sustain your distractions is how you sustain your value. Manage your time like you manage your day because how you do one thing, is how you do everything.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am looking for people who are ready to set the tone and get after it. Being bold and being ready to give it EVERYTHING because when we hear people say that it takes everything, I promise that they are not lying. I love collaborating at the top, others compete at the bottom. I collaborate with people who are willing to listen to the vision and the goals. I also like to partner in exchanging ideas and invest in eachother financially and personally. I work well with people who meet me half way and are ready to sacrifice for their own reasons. At the end of the day, I’m here to do right by the people and ensure that we continue building this reputation of solidarity. I am an advocate for serious business and I expect the same level of respect from others especially when they have aspirations of their own.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Nyellie DeLeon
Melaya DeLeon
Tabitha Rodriguez
Tony Hon

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