Hood comes a long way to succeed in the business world

By Bill Atkinson for The Southern Illinoisan

Derek Hood has come a long way in seven years, when he moved to Carterville after graduating from SIU with a degree in finance, and started knocking on doors to try to solicit clients for his new business, as an Edward Jones investment representative. It was March 2001, six months before Sept. 11, so things were tough for a long time. However, Hood persisted, and since that time, he has built his office into one of the top 15 to 20 percent of all Edward Jones offices in the nation.

While Hood attributes his success to a number of things, they can all be distilled into one overriding concept his desire to learn from mentors, especially his parents and coaches.

When Hood was growing up, his parents, Bob and Joyce, were very supportive. "They instilled in me the importance of always doing what is right for people, always doing my best, and always being upfront and honest," he says.

Hood also played sports, and his coaches taught him some additional values, such as how to set and achieve goals, how to be disciplined, how to accept criticism from others, and how to accept and learn from failures as well as successes.

Another mentor was a college professor who said, on the first day of class, "Opportunity, plus preparation, equals success." "I remember writing that down, and it has always been in my head," he says.

Adopting all of these beliefs has translated into one overall personal quality for Hood character. And this character has led to his success in life and work. "I have learned that, if you do all of these things, good things will come into your life," he says.

Those beliefs, which, over the years, have been turned into habits, have been especially helpful in his business. "They help me to focus on my clients," he says. "I want to help them achieve their goals and objectives, and I treat them like I would want to be treated." In fact, when people come to Hood to invest money, the first thing he thinks is, "How would I treat them if they were my own parents or other family members?" And then he follows through.

Hood treats clients who don't have much money at all with the same respect and service that he treats well-to-do clients. Then, an interesting thing happens. These people often tell friends and relatives who do have a lot of money, about Hood. Then they, too, become clients.

Besides being in the top 15 to 20 percent of Edward Jones offices, Hood now has clients in about 15 states. How does this work? Because of what they have heard about him, they trust him enough to be willing to do business with him over the phone. "While it would be nice to meet face to face when we do business, it's worked out to where this hasn't always been necessary," he says.

Hood emphasizes that, while his philosophies have been important to his success, he continues to depend on others for success, too. One of the most important is Betsy, his office manager. "Together, we keep this office running," he says.