We recently connected with Derron Payne and have shared our conversation below.

Derron, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project that I have worked on was my first book, The Art of the Pivot, that I wrote and published while still in college. It was a huge step forward for me in my entrepreneurial journey. Not only that but it was also a huge step forward for me in my personal growth. A major lesson I learned from the entire process was that I could take on a huge project and see it through until the end. Writing this book was some of the most vulnerable I have been in my entire life, I believed that in order to truly help people I had to be truthful which in turn made me venture within myself and recount some tough times. My goal with this first book was to help people navigate making a big change in their lives, the same way I had to. My change was my life not completing centering around basketball anymore, something that I had dedicated a large portion of my life to. After pouring my heart out in this book it was the most rewarding feeling to get feedback that people could resonate with my words and that my book could help them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a proud native of Brooklyn, New York, and a first-generation American with roots tracing back to the vibrant islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The easiest way to describe myself is by saying that I am a creative entrepreneur. I am currently working on building two brands, Unorthodox Creators (working title) that has a mission to cultivate a new class of creative entrepreneurs, and Brunch X Bros a group I cofounded with three other creators (Lou, Mike, and Sam) where we create fun videos at the intersection of anime and black culture.

I have also written two books and I am working on number three. In 2019, I published “The Art of the Pivot,” a testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of change. This book delves into the art of reinvention and seizing opportunities when they arise, a reflection of my own transformative experiences. Then in 2022, I unleashed “The Unorthodox Creator: How to Survive and Thrive in the Digital World,” a manifesto for those ready to seize their destiny in the digital era. It’s a guide to harnessing the power of creativity, innovation, and technology to craft your own unique path to success. The third book which I plan to complete within the next year will focus on motivation and creation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect in my opinion is someone being inspired or moved by my work. I love whenever something that I have created helps someone with anything but even more than that I love when it inspires them to create something new.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I believe that non-creatives will sometimes struggle to understand why we stay on the journey for so long sometimes with what appears to be no reward. For me the answer is simply because the alternative is worse. I am currently working full time while working on my additional ventures, without them I feel like something is missing. Creating is not just therapeutic for me but also a part of who I am, so without it I feel like I don’t get to truly be myself, and that’s why this is a lifelong journey for me no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://derronpayne.ck.page/d57d76f63b
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derronpayne/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derronpayne/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DerronDPayne
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@derronpayne