Meet Derrick Green

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

Hi Derrick , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I didn’t have a choice in the sink or swim, dog eat dog world of Fort Pierce Florida in the 80’s. I grew up in a ghetto and, as such, had to learn to fend for myself at times, fight hard at others, and develop an “oh well, life happens” mentality. That mentality allows people to bounce back when life kicks them in the teeth. See so many people sitting the life’s dentist chair as a child, I acceptedy teeth would be kicked in but I somehow always knew the key to depression is how long I allowed myself to wallow. I developed a habit of allowing myself to throw a pity party but don’t celebrate too long.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the founder of Waffles and Whatnot, a restaurant built around the idea of bringing people together. We believe in building community through food, helping families and friends reconnect over shared meals around the table. As a brand, we’re deeply community-oriented, with a mission that goes beyond just serving great food.

Our focus is on expanding into underserved areas, such as Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where we believe our presence can have a meaningful impact. We’re also exploring the exciting possibility of international growth, particularly in the Philippines. Recently, we’ve opened up franchising opportunities, and we’re actively working to bring Waffles and Whatnot to communities all across the U.S and abroad.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Have a dream, take impactful action, and persevere.

Everything starts with a dream, which evolves into a vision. From that vision, you set goals, and those goals become actionable plans. It all begins with asking yourself: “Is it possible?” From there, you build a roadmap. But you also have to accept that plans change. As Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” That’s life. No matter how solid your plan is, you have to be prepared to pivot when reality hits you with something unexpected.

The second key is taking informed action. That means being intentional and making sure each step you take is aligned with your goal. It’s easy to get pulled in different directions by things that seem helpful. But just because something supports the dream in a general sense doesn’t mean it supports the specific goal in front of you right now. Focus matters.

And finally, never quit. Starting a business is like giving birth to a baby, it demands everything from you. Entrepreneurs often say their business becomes their baby, and just like a newborn, it requires constant care and attention. That can come with real sacrifices: relationships, partnerships, even your health or peace of mind. Especially in the early stages, there’s rarely any balance. But if you want it to grow, you can’t walk away. No matter what, just don’t quit.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

I would ask myself, through prayer and meditation: What is the best use of my time? Once I receive that clarity, I focus on executing it. I think about how I can use my time to make the most meaningful impact, how many lives I can touch, and what I can accomplish that truly matters.

If I’m given the opportunity to be in a place where I can influence people’s lives, where I can introduce them to experiences they’ve never had before, that’s a blessing. And it’s never a one-way exchange. In the process, my life is transformed too. I gain a deeper understanding of love, community, family, loyalty, and what it really means to learn and grow through connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://derrickgreens.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derricklgreens/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WafflesandWhatnot
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derricklgreens
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/derricklgreens
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DerrickGreens