I AM / HE IS
Derrick L. Woods

Brand Ambassador | Lifestyle Architect | Globetrotter
More often referred to as a “Gentleman of Leisure” and self-appointed
BRAND AMBASSADOR for his Special Events Marketing and
Promotional firm Boss Productions, Inc.

Derrick has taken on or adopted many monikers along the way, one of his more colorful and effective is the fictional “Purveyor of Posh!” — or more affectionately called “POP” amongst the few who know him best.

“POP” intends to shine and keep the spotlight on BOSS and their multinational calendar of events and activities.

Tell us a little about growing up (i.e. town, city, state) and what life was like during that time

Born and raised in the “Motor City” better known as Detroit, Michigan I grew up and was exposed to one of the more culturally diverse communities in the country. Within a radius of less than one mile I could immerse myself in a Jewish, Polish, Italian, or even Middle Eastern culture, and just beyond that was even Filipino and Mexican culture. It’s the origins of these exposures that fueled my quest for travel and adventure.

What job(s) did you hold before becoming an entrepreneur?

As a teenager, I held summer jobs as a Cadet Fireman and a stockboy for the Woolworth Department Store, and following college graduation, my first career stop was in Banking & Finance.

What made you leave that career/job and pursue a path to entrepreneurship?

While I’m not exactly sure I was seeking entrepreneurship, it just kind of evolved. During the course of my employment, I was presented with an opportunity to invest in a nightclub and from there, things kind of grew.

Who are some well-known athletes, celebrities, and politicians who have graced your events?

Over the years our events and activities have brought about the attendance and participation open aim list group athletes celebrities politicians influencers and just really good people too numerous to name them all but here are a few: actor/comedians Tommy Davidson, Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer and the late Bernie Mac. We’ve hosted celebrities and influencers such as The Kardashians, Idris Elba, John Legend and his supermodel wife Chrissy Teigen, Sting, Lionel Richie, Melvin and Mario van Peebles, Miss Curacao – Monifa Jansen along with a sports Hall of Fame roster of sports figures.

What can we expect coming down the pike from Derrick Woods now?

CANNES JAZZ FESTIVAL, Cannes, France, www.CannesJazzFestival.com

ACQUA NERA Yachting Experience {Italian for “Black Waters”}, Newport, RI to Martha’s Vineyards, MA, www.acqua-nera.com

SKIN TIGHT EVENT, {a Revolutionary Fashion Event}, Costa Mujeres, Mexico, www.SkinTightEvent.com

PRO PLAYER BEACH BASH, Nassau, Bahamas, www.ProPlayerBeachBash.com

Plus I’m working on a yet-to-be named Greek Food & Wine Experience coming up in Athens | Mykonos Greece.

At this point in your career, is retirement in the near future or is that not even on the horizon?

I’m having way too much fun at this point in life to even give retirement a thought or consideration though it is something I must give serious attention to if I am to see my company persevere beyond my retirement.

For others who may be inspired by reading this, what advice — or caution — would you offer?

Buyers Beware! The Special Events and Entertainment industry require far more time and attention — especially attention to the details — than you might assume especially if you’ve been a consumer of these products looking from the outside in at the finished product. But the joy of seeing individuals entertained and the smiles on their faces far outweigh all of the long hard grueling hours it took to produce a special event so there is just reward if you’re willing to put the work in.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Though the world is vast, in this resounding age of global digitalization, the world is much smaller so for those who have not yet experienced travel I would encourage you to do so. This way you gain a better understanding of how the rest of the world views you in your own little small piece of the globe. Those who are currently traveling, I ask that you move beyond being a tourist and become a true traveler that way you experience and immerse yourself into the culture of the destination; this allows you to gain a far greater appreciation of that culture which leads to a better understanding of its people and their causes and effects. Once we all better understand how each other is thinking we are better equipped to then sit at the table and have a genuine conversation that doesn’t have to result in violence.

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