1. So nice to meet you! To start, could you please share your name and tell our readers a little about yourself, including where you're originally from and where you're based now?

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My name is Dearick Milton. I was born in Canton, Ohio, although I have very few vivid memories of living there. I was raised in Columbus, Georgia, and later spent 31 years living in Atlanta before making Middleburg, Florida, just outside Jacksonville, my home.

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At 62, my life reflects an unconventional combination of experiences. I'm a technology professional, entrepreneur, musician, songwriter, recording artist, licensed minister, mentor, father, and grandfather. I currently serve as a Technical Services Program Manager at Palo Alto Networks, and my professional career has included education, insurance, telecommunications, information technology, and cybersecurity.

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Music has been one of the most enduring and meaningful parts of my life. For 21 years, I sang with Joseph Robinson and The Chosen Aggregation, a gospel recording group based in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years, I composed numerous songs that appeared across several of the group's albums and CDs.

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One of those compositions, “Christ Was Born,” was recorded by Joseph Robinson and The Chosen Aggregation and earned Billboard chart placements in both 2020 and 2023. Those accomplishments were shared achievements, and I'm grateful to have contributed as both a songwriter and a member of the group.

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I'm also the founder of Sugar Bee's Boy, LLC, the music company and recording label through which I've released my own musical projects.

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My creative journey has extended beyond recording. I composed most of the music for the touring theatrical production But Momma, I Love Him, with which I performed from 2015 through 2019. I also appeared as a print advertising model in multiple editions of Upscale Magazine during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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Beyond music, I'm developing ventures in technology and wellness, and I've recently begun formal massage therapy education.

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I also have a passion for interior design and decorating, particularly transforming my own home into distinctive, inviting spaces. Although others frequently encourage me to decorate professionally, I prefer to keep that particular creative outlet personal.

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I'm naturally soft-spoken and typically quiet, but my silence is loud. I believe in listening carefully, speaking honestly, and allowing my actions to communicate my values.

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My journey has taught me that life doesn't require us to become just one thing. We can continue learning, creating, reinventing ourselves, and discovering new dimensions of our purpose at every stage of life.

 

2. Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

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What I appreciate most about living in Middleburg, Florida, is the balance between tranquility and opportunity.

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I enjoy having a peaceful place to call home while remaining close to the energy, diversity, and professional opportunities of Jacksonville. That balance is especially meaningful to someone like me, whose life involves technology, music, entrepreneurship, and a variety of creative projects.

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I believe our surroundings should provide room to think, create, and simply enjoy living. Middleburg offers me that opportunity. It is a place where I can appreciate the quieter moments of life while continuing to pursue ambitious goals.

 

3. Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

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My entrepreneurial journey reflects three lifelong interests: creativity, technology, and helping people improve their lives.

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One of my most personally meaningful ventures is Sugar Bee's Boy, LLC, the music company and recording label through which I release my original music. Music has never been simply a commercial pursuit for me. It's a deeply personal form of expression, and I approach composition as something that must be nurtured rather than manufactured.

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I don't ordinarily sit down and decide that I'm going to write a song. Often, the music comes to me unexpectedly, sometimes even in dreams. I think of a new composition much like an embryo in the womb. It begins as something delicate and developing, requiring care and attention until it is ready to be born into the world. And even after its release, the work continues to have a life of its own.

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Through Sugar Bee's Boy, I've been able to share that creativity with listeners while maintaining ownership of my artistic direction.

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My technology venture, TrackLogic Systems, draws upon decades of experience in information technology and cybersecurity. Its focus is developing practical software solutions that help organizations manage technical challenges more effectively.

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I'm also developing Elevaré Wellness Network, an educational platform designed to connect qualified wellness professionals with individuals seeking credible, practical knowledge through curated masterclasses. Its focus includes physical wellness, mental resilience, financial strategy, and biological optimization.

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Another developing venture, The Holistic Studio, centers on relaxation, restoration, and intentional self-care. That vision has also inspired me to pursue formal massage therapy education and professional licensure.

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Although these businesses operate in different areas, they share a common philosophy: identify a need, create something meaningful, and improve the experience of the people you serve.

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For me, entrepreneurship isn't simply about establishing companies. It's about transforming ideas, knowledge, and creativity into something that benefits others.

 

4. If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?

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My advice would be to begin with purpose, but don't confuse purpose with the absence of preparation.

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Understand the problem you want to solve, identify the people you want to serve, and be honest with yourself about whether your proposed solution actually meets their needs.

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I also encourage aspiring entrepreneurs not to become so emotionally attached to their original ideas that they refuse to make necessary adjustments. Sometimes the greatest progress comes when we recognize that our first approach wasn't necessarily our best approach.

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Another principle I have taught my children for years is that if you don't till the land, you won't eat. You can have access to every tool imaginable, but tools accomplish very little without effort, discipline, and consistency.

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And finally, don't allow someone else's assessment of your abilities to become your identity.

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I was once a child who struggled academically and was called names that suggested I would never amount to much. Yet I've gone on to earn college degrees, develop a career in technology, teach, mentor, compose music, and establish businesses.

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Your beginnings may influence your journey, but they do not have to determine your destination.

 

5. What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

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One of the most unforgettable experiences of my professional life occurred while I was working as a Customer Service Representative at Sprint Telecommunications.

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A woman called to question several long-distance charges appearing on her telephone bill. It initially seemed like a routine customer service interaction, but as she spoke, I noticed something unusual in her voice.

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She was crying.

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Not sobbing uncontrollably, but speaking with a quiet, almost imperceptible whimper.

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Having worked in customer service, I was accustomed to people expressing frustration about their telephone bills. Customers sometimes became angry or argumentative over unexpected charges. But this woman didn't sound angry. She sounded distressed.

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Something about her voice concerned me.

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As we continued discussing the charges, I felt compelled to ask a question that had nothing to do with her telephone service.

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"Ma'am, are you okay?"

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"No," she replied.

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I followed with another question.

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"Are you in any danger?"

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"Yes."

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At that moment, I understood that the most important issue wasn't her telephone bill.

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Because her customer information was displayed on my computer screen, I could see her address, telephone number, and the city and state where she lived.

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I asked, "Would you like me to call the police?"

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"Yes, please," she answered.

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I placed her on hold, contacted the police department in her city, explained what she had told me, and requested assistance. Officers were dispatched immediately.

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When I returned to her call, I kept her engaged in conversation about long-distance calling plans while we waited for the police to arrive.

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To anyone listening, it might have sounded like an ordinary discussion about telephone services. But I had absolutely no intention of selling her anything. I simply wanted to keep her connected until help arrived.

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Eventually, I heard an angry masculine voice in the background shout, "You called the police on me!?"

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I asked, "Ma'am, have the police arrived?"

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"Yes. Thank you so much," she replied.

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"Are you safe enough to end the call now?" I asked.

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"Yes."

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And with that, our conversation ended.

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I never learned what happened afterward, but I've never forgotten that experience.

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It reinforced something I believe deeply: listening involves far more than hearing words.

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Sometimes the most important part of a conversation is what a person struggles to express.

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I believe in paying attention to intuition, discernment, and those quiet internal prompts that encourage us to look beyond the obvious. But I also believe in responding with compassion and appropriate action.

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That day, I wasn't concerned about call-handling time, performance measurements, or selling additional services. Another human being needed help, and I was in a position to respond.

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Her simple words, "Thank you so much," remain among the most meaningful expressions of gratitude I've ever received.

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I believe that some of life's greatest opportunities to make a difference arrive disguised as ordinary moments.

 

6. Where do you see your company in the future?

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I envision building businesses that remain relevant because they continue responding to real human needs.

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For Elevaré Wellness Network, I would like to establish a respected educational platform where qualified professionals can share their expertise and where individuals can access practical, credible wellness knowledge.

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For TrackLogic Systems, my vision is to develop software solutions that make complicated technical processes more manageable and effective.

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With The Holistic Studio, I hope to create an environment where people can step away from everyday pressures and experience intentional relaxation and restoration.

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But I also recognize that a business must evolve. What works today may need to be refined tomorrow, and I welcome that process.

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At 62, I'm not interested in building something simply to say that I own a company. I'm interested in creating something useful, sustainable, and capable of making a difference long after its initial launch.

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I believe legacy is not merely what we leave behind. It is also what we make possible for others while we're here.

 

7. What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

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Because my entrepreneurial interests span technology and wellness, I see a misconception that applies to both: people sometimes believe the value of a service lies primarily in the product or activity itself, rather than in the people it serves.

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In technology, we can become so focused on features, specifications, and technical complexity that we overlook the human experience. A technically impressive solution isn't necessarily a useful one if people struggle to understand or benefit from it.

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In wellness, I believe there is sometimes an assumption that feeling better requires expensive products, elaborate programs, or complicated routines. While professional guidance is important, education, consistency, informed choices, and appropriate care can also play meaningful roles.

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Another misconception is that expertise in one field somehow disqualifies someone from developing expertise in another.

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I don't believe that. At 62, I'm pursuing massage therapy education while continuing my career in technology. The disciplines are different, but both require knowledge, professionalism, attention to detail, and an understanding of people's needs.

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I believe the most valuable professionals never stop learning.

 

8. What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

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One of my greatest challenges as an entrepreneur has been learning how to balance an abundance of ideas and creative interests with the practical realities of building sustainable businesses.

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I'm a visionary by nature. I can often imagine the finished product, the experience I want to create, or the problem I want to solve long before I've worked through every detail required to bring that vision to life.

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But imagination alone doesn't establish a successful business.

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Entrepreneurship requires research, planning, financial discipline, marketing, patience, and the willingness to make difficult decisions. I've learned that having a good idea and successfully bringing that idea to market are two very different accomplishments.

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Another challenge has been balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with a demanding full-time career. My responsibilities in technology require considerable attention, and I take those responsibilities seriously. At the same time, my interests in music, software development, and wellness continue to generate ideas that I want to pursue.

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I've had to accept that I cannot give every idea the same level of attention at the same time. Some projects require immediate action, while others require careful development and patience.

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I've also learned the importance of being willing to change direction.

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Elevaré Wellness Network is a good example. My original concept was centered on a more traditional wellness marketplace. As I studied the model and considered how best to serve both professionals and consumers, I recognized an opportunity to shift toward curated educational masterclasses.

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Changing the model required me to reconsider work I'd already invested in the original concept. But I believe responsible entrepreneurship sometimes means acknowledging that the first version of an idea isn't necessarily the best version.

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Another area of personal growth has involved learning to promote my work.

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I'm naturally soft-spoken and generally prefer allowing the quality of what I create to speak for itself. But the marketplace doesn't automatically discover something simply because it has value. People must know that it exists, understand its purpose, and recognize how it can benefit them.

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Learning to communicate that value without compromising my personality or principles is an ongoing part of my entrepreneurial development.

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And while I take pride in my accomplishments, I don't want anyone to assume that my journey has been effortless. I've experienced discouragement, uncertainty, competing priorities, and the frustration that comes when progress doesn't happen as quickly as I'd envisioned.

I've also learned not to confuse a delay with defeat.

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Sometimes we have to revisit the drawing board, challenge our assumptions, and find another way forward.

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At this stage of my life, I no longer measure progress exclusively by how quickly something happens. I measure it by whether I'm making thoughtful decisions, learning from the process, and moving toward something meaningful.

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I believe perseverance is important, but perseverance without reflection can become stubbornness. The real challenge is knowing when to keep pushing, when to adjust, and when to give an idea more time to mature.

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My journey hasn't been a straight line, and I wouldn't want to portray it that way. Every chapter has taught me something that informs the next.

 

9. Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

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My favorite musical artist growing up was the late Daryl Coley, whose extraordinary vocal ability, range, control, musicianship, and artistry established a standard of excellence that continues to influence vocalists today.

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What I admired most about him was not simply his ability to sing difficult passages, but the extraordinary command he had over his instrument. He could communicate emotion with precision and musical intelligence, and his artistry reflected a level of discipline that I deeply respected.

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I wasn't particularly interested in sports growing up, so I didn't have a favorite childhood athlete.

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As an adult, however, I developed tremendous admiration for Venus and Serena Williams. Their athletic excellence, determination, discipline, and ability to redefine expectations in professional tennis made a lasting impression on me.

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I particularly appreciate people who challenge assumptions about what is possible and establish new standards for those who follow them.

 

10. Any shoutouts you want to make?

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Absolutely. First, I want to acknowledge my family, particularly my children and grandchildren, who remain among the greatest blessings and responsibilities of my life. I also want to express appreciation for my spouse, whose presence and support are meaningful parts of this chapter of my journey.

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I'm grateful for the educators, mentors, colleagues, fellow musicians, and countless others who have contributed to my personal and professional development.

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I also want to recognize those who are quietly navigating adversity, overcoming discouragement, or struggling to discover their own worth.

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Having experienced rejection, humiliation, and being underestimated during my childhood, I understand how deeply other people's words can affect someone's confidence.

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But I also understand that those words don't have to determine the outcome of a life.

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I've always encouraged my children to embrace the underdog, because the person lying in the ashes today may very well rise tomorrow with extraordinary strength and purpose.

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To anyone who has been told they aren't intelligent enough, talented enough, capable enough, or worthy enough, I encourage you not to surrender your future to someone else's limited perception of your potential.

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And finally, I want to acknowledge those who have chosen compassion over judgment, encouragement over criticism, and understanding over indifference.

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Sometimes the most meaningful contribution we can make to another person's life is simply to listen.

 

11. Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about my professional journey, music, creative projects, and entrepreneurial endeavors through my official website:

https://www.dearickmilton.com

 

My music is released through Sugar Bee's Boy, LLC, and my website provides information about my recordings, songwriting, and other creative work.

 

Those interested in my technology and software development initiatives can visit:

https://www.tracklogicsystems.com

 

My developing wellness education platform can be found at:

https://www.elevarewellnessnetwork.com

 

I welcome opportunities to connect with individuals and organizations who share my commitment to creativity, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, wellness, and meaningful service.