Shining Through Music: An Entrepreneurship Story with Derrick Mayes Jr.

Not all heroes wear capes, they say. And in the music industry, we think it is appropriate to add that not all heroes hold a microphone or an instrument. Some hold a clipboard, and some are even now preparing that sweet PR launch event for all the biggest artists on the scene at this moment.

This is what Derrick Mayes Jr. of the Mayes Marketing Agency does on a daily basis.

“I’ve always been into music heavily, I wanted to be a rapper growing up but never really did anything with it because I became heavily involved with football,” he tells us in a candid interview.

However, Mayes got his shot in the music world when Jonathan Stewart, CEO of Billionaire Minds Build Brands put him under DJ First Class. Proving himself and his impressive skill in the industry, Mayes quickly recognized that marketing could allow him to do what he genuinely wanted in his life. In the end, it turned out that something was not creating music himself, but rather acting as the middleman, helping talented artists shine. And shining with them, because everyone knows that a good campaign or PR event is for the marketer as a powerful hit is for the musician.

To this day, he works as one of the Marketing managers for Billionaire Minds Build Brands Records in Chicago. In 2019, he founded his very own eponymous marketing agency, and earlier this year, he launched his personal freelancing service, Officaldmayes. Mayes is also Music Director for MNTC Radio, so he is hugely involved in helping the local music scene thrive.

Obviously, given his huge involvement in the music industry, we could not help ourselves asking what some of his favorite artists were.

“My Playlist consist of all-around music but my top artist as of right now are, Lil Baby, Juan Haze, Future, Ryah Moore and Peezy. With a splash of Lil Durk and Moneybagg Yo.”

A solid playlist, we must say. Because of course, any great businessman needs epic tunes to put him in that right mindset.

Speaking of which, what exactly is that mindset all about? Everyone talks about being a good businessman and having a successful outlook on things, but few actually tell you what it is they have got in their heads when they are working. Or even more importantly, what guides them in the times they feel like they might lose it all.

And knowing that many budding entrepreneurs follow our blog, naturally, we had to ask this final question of our guest.

“If you have something that you believe is worth your time and energy don’t short it. Give it your al!! so many people quit right before the finish line, but a guy once told me this “Right before you are getting ready to enter a bigger better chapter you will face the hardest obstacles, don’t get doubtful and quit. They are only preparing you for the success you are about to achieve.” So, when things get rough, I try to remember that and that gets me through.”