Derek Vest Business Legacy
Derek Vest, a businessman from Fort Myers, Florida, has built multiple million dollar businesses and is dedicated to giving back to his community and special causes globally.
Derek Vest's Business Journey
I was blessed to be brought up in a family business - health and racquet clubs. That meant that from the age of 4, I was in a work environment. I was literally raised and brought up in a business...and I LOVED IT! All my life I've read countless books on entrepreneurs, titans of business, and individuals in history that succeeded despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
Since I was brought up in gyms, it was only natural that I worked out and followed a pretty healthy lifestyle. I ended up competing in tennis, racquetball, running, and bodybuilding. That strong competitive spirit would come to play in business.
After graduating with a degree in nutrition I found myself working for Jenny Craig International Weight Loss Centers and immediately soaked up all the corporate training and knowledge I could! I worked non-stop and became the top counselor, then top salesperson and finally promoted to manager and become the top manager in my region. From there I was poached into medical pacemaker sales with a French company and learned the power of medical sales!
My first medical company I owned was Superior Respiratory, a large regional medical sales and service company for respiratory patients. Our patient care and spare no expense mantra to provide superior patient care enabled us to outpace every single private and public competitor in all our sector.
We also opened a full scale national pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Kentucky to create unique respiratory medications for Medicare/Private Insurance patients throughout US. Sold to world's largest respiratory company - Lincare, and just like that...I was retired for life (if I was normal and frugal).
Since I was way too young to actually retire, I became a serial entrepreneur and built and acquired companies locally and internationally. I developed new products, new product categories, had tons of Trademarks/Patents, worked with some of the brightest minds in the world and was able to devote time and resources to causes dear to me - highest on the list was cancer research and drug development.
Beyond my own companies, I was fortunate enough to invest in several other companies owned/started by people I truly respect and admire - they have FAR more talent and knowledge than I have. One such example is HealthLynked - a company started by one of the most intelligent and successful people I know, Dr. Michael Dent. It is worth looking it up!
SUPERIOR
RESPIRATORY
DEREK VEST'S COMPANIES
Derek Vest Trademarks
Here are some (not all) of my Trademark's from USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office).
Derek Vest created a new beverage segment for the world: "Functional Beverages"
"I had some incredible formulations that I created - a blending of the beverage world and non-prescription pharmaceutical worlds. Nobody in the world had ever done anything like this in the world, so I created a brand new market and named it "Functional Beverages". I am proud to say it started a whole new genre and seriously caused an increase in global competition to produce much higher quality products that weren't just sold on "marketing", but rather on performance.
We started in Florida and quickly grew all the way to California and eventually internationally. We were sponsors at everything from the "Golden Globes, Music Festivals, and the world's largest biker gathering in Sturgis - I met tons of famous people while selling incredible products!" Derek Vest
Mojo Boost Offshore Race-boat
I have always enjoyed boats - especially go-fast offshore boats. I have been lucky enough to own several boats over the years including the prettiest speed boat I had ever seen! My larger boat I was able to take to the keys and Bimini in the Bahamas.
As owner of Mojo Beverage International, I had the opportunity to sponsor a race boat in the Offshore World Championship races. The entire Mojo team in Sarasota led the way and my graphics guys had a blast working with the team. The Mojo Boost boat was the most talked about boat and a little bit controversial due to graphics (which we had to modify a bit). It always drew big crowds and lots of fans everywhere. We had an awesome time in the boat parades and watching our guys win! In the end, we took 2nd Place in the Offshore World Championship held in Key West...incredible job guys!
Derek Vest - Pioneer - Innovator - Designer - Inventor - Developer - Creator
Derek Vest Grows Pharmaceutical Company To 42 Countries
Growing up in the family business of health clubs meant a lot of focus on improving nutrition and the latest science of supplements. Having a degree in nutrition helped me learn a lot as we had to understand the how to accommodate the specific nutritional needs for hospital patients. My personal thesis was on hyper-metabolic needs of burn victims and I was able to carry not only that information, but the drive I needed to tackle such an important task. Luckily I am very fond of reading research papers (highly technical and terribly mundane for most people) and I have been known to get "lost" reading them for days at a time. I can't tell you how many times employees would come into my office at the end of the day to inform me that "the day is already over...".
My first successful formulation was when I was just a young teenager. My formulation worked well enough to outsell some very well established national brands - I knew I had a knack for it then. My father was an incredible researcher and we would often discuss various compounds and discoveries and how they might be used or improved upon - I am blessed for those insights.
Gentech Pharmaceutical started as a tiny business in a relatively small office with just a handful of employees. I can remember having our first order and being SO PROUD just looking at that tiny box waiting for FedEx. Fast forward several years and multiple larger offices, I remember inspecting a large single order one afternoon. It was a row 10 cases high and 6 cases deep all the way around our large curved stainless steel wall and into our large conference room that was packed to the point of no entry. This single order (we had tons of other orders of course) was a Million Dollar Order to a large national chain. That is when I knew we had finally arrived.
In reality we had offices in four countries and employees and affiliates all over the globe. Our products were sold in 42 countries. We had an entire separate branch that sold exclusively to physician offices. From that branch I was able to meet endless medical professionals at their offices and at conventions in and out of the U.S. One of the Las Vegas conventions we had the mega-star Nelly perform (see pic below) and further grew our reach.
Another convention was for Nurse Practitioners in Orlando, Florida. We were invited to go there and my team showed up with one of our regular displays. Funny story...they only allotted room for tables with small displays and the display I brought was 20 feet long, 10 feet high and VERY well lit! Luckily they allowed us to use it and in the process I had yet another incredible moment. I was able to meet the incredible lady who was the first ever Nurse Practitioner. She created the segment and course work and is loved and respected around the world. I snapped a pic with our staff physician (genius in his own right). Great Day!
I became working partners and friends with many incredible leaders in the medical world. One of the relationships I had was with a genius of a man that was regarded as one of the best consultants money could buy if you were trying to have a new drug make it through FDA trials. One day while touring his facility we had a chance for another long talk. This time he told me something I would never forget. He said, "Derek, I love your formulations - they are incredible and you are now a larger company - but the one thing you do not want to do is get on the radar of Big Pharma. They hate competition and they have the time, money, political clout (lobbyist), & FDA connections to pretty much take down any company or product they want."
I laughed and assured him that I was WAY too small for any real pharma company to worry about me. I probably should have listened and realized I was a potential target - but we just kept growing and developing a strong fan base everywhere. I was blessed to have my second real big success!
Derek Vest as a "Shark Tank" Style Judge For American Dream Seekers
One of my favorite shows was Shark Tank. I loved the fast pace of the judges and how they can dissect a business opportunity in minutes. I also respect how they can, in a single show change the life of someone forever! I was given the honor to be one of those judges for American Dream Seekers. This was a HUGE event! We had business people from around the world coming to be on stage in front of us and see if today was their lucky day!
The show was an incredible success and offers were made and lives were changed. In the pics below I am discussing a potential offer with my friend Dr. Michael Dent (on the right) who was another judge with me. The next pic was of a $5,000.00 check for the best presentation (different than the business offers).
Over the years I have help numerous business owners get there start, or help owners with strategies and procedures to help their business better thrive. My parents always taught me to pass the knowledge and blessing along that we have - it always feels great doing so!
Derek Vest Sponsors Band - Guitar Displayed at Hard Rock Hotel
One way I give back to the community is go to various events and fundraisers (it's fun). Another is helping individual on projects from starting a business or financing a music group. One of my music groups that I helped fund (Ghost of Gloria) was extremely talented and very hardworking. I was blessed when they were honored by Hard Rock Cafe to have their signed guitar to be put on display! It was a great time watching them being interviewed, lots of fans, food, and drinks. I was happy knowing that I was a small part of that moment and holding the guitar with them in the pic below.
Derek Vest Philanthropy: Fighting Diseases/Supporting Medical Cures
It is important for all people to identify a cause that is important to you, and find ways to support that cause. For me, cancer was #1 and close behind that was various unmet medical needs for diseases was close behind. Losing my father and brother to cancer was devastating - watching there fight was both inspiring and heartbreaking.
While I had long supported great foundations like St. Jude Children Research Hospital, I wanted to be more involved in working for a solution. That opportunity came as a result of my father fighting cancer. In San Diego I met the CEO (George Colberg) of an incredible cancer drug development company (Kalos Therapeutics) and almost immediately got involved. I became the largest institutional investor (through my pharmaceutical company) and had my team work directly with their team promoting them and investing in their drug research and development.
Kalos had some of the top names in oncology and drug development including Stand Up To Cancer dream team leader and Chairman of our Kalos SAB, Dr. Daniel Von Hoff. Dr. Von Hoff was at the center of a Time magazine issue (with the cover titled "How To Cure Cancer").
My best personal single day with Kalos was having lunch with Dr. Daniel Von Hoff (Google him) and diner with Dr. Gholam Peyman, the inventor/creator of LASIK eye surgery - two of the world's brightest minds. Having high-level talks with the brightest minds in the world in an effort to improve the quality of life for mankind is yet another blessing I have been gifted with.
In the end, I was brought in as a Board Member - a true honor, and learned tons. Their team even worked with professionals around the country to help my father battle cancer - worlds can not express my gratitude and appreciation!
Meeting A Legend & Angel
As a Board Member for Kalos Therapeutics, I promoted the company and the vision of a better way to treat cancer patients around the world. One of my greatest memories was visiting a couple of the labs we had set up as well as sister partners facilities - it was an incredible learning opportunity.
One of the days we had lunch with Dr. Von Hoff and his team (there was a lot of us at the table in his facility. During the conversation I let him know that my father, was battling cancer for many years (this is not an unusual conversation for them to hear as he is the # 1 pancreatic physician in the world). He immediately stopped everyone and said "Derek, your dad has cancer?". I said "yes". His whole demeanor changed - he became laser focused and serious beyond what I am used to seeing.
He said, "Derek, I want you to get me ALL his charts from all his doctors by tomorrow morning!". I was absolutely blown away - here is a man that is SO incredibly busy taking care of patients around the world, working on cures, speaking around the globe, and no doubt has daily requests from tons of people asking for his help and he, without me asking, is offering the world to me (I love my dad enormously...). Holding back tears, I thanked him and started the process of getting that information to him. He was able to put a dream team together working with my father and his medical team. There is NO doubt that Dr. Von Hoff added years to my fathers life...I am forever grateful!
Below is a pic from that trip with me, Dr. Von Hoff (center), and Kalos Therapeutics CEO George Colberg on the right and the other a fav pic with my daddy.
If you remember "The Ice Bucket Challenge to support ALS, then you were able to see how everyday people who had never been able to support medical research through a viral sensation! I was SO impressed with how many people got involved, that I added this cause to my other ones and wanted to get all my staff involved. I found the way to do it through one of the greatest videographers around, Marcos Rojas. He suggested making a funny skit and filming it -a way to get the staff involved and raise some money for a great cause.
If you don't know about it, you literally have a bucket of water filled with ice dropped on you. The shock and pain of it reminds us of the real constant difficulty and pain ALS patients deal with every single day.
The story-line was simple: it started with one of some of my employees watching a video of their Ice Bucket Challenge at the office. They realized they forgot to "Call me out" to do the challenge and decided to have another employee, Doug, call me out. Of course they wanted to throw a bucket of ice on me at the office without me knowing about it. As luck would have it, I have the biggest bodyguard with me at all times (a wonderful friend of mine in real life). They even tried to distract him with food (works in real life lol). The video is funny, silly, and will NEVER be confused as anything else - but I raised a lot of $$.
In the end, it was a lot of fun and we helped raise a LOT of money for ALS research. For those who wondered if the Ice Bucket Challenge actually did any good...just think about this: More than $115 million was raised from the trend, and the ALS Association said it is funding 130 research projects in 12 different countries and one new FDA Approved drug came from it!
The Ice Bucket Challenge: Derek Vest
Derek Vest: Attempting The Impossible - Defeat Cancer Cachexia & Chemo Brain
"I believe that nothing is impossible. Something that you have been told is impossible, is simply a problem that has not been looked at from a certain, if not absurd direction or point of view".
Let me start by saying this: "I hate cancer"! It has taken away my only brother and father.
I decided to form a a new company (CellMark Biopharma) to combat two major issues that cancer sufferers from around the world have to battle. One is Cancer Cachexia and the other is known as Chemo Brain.
Cachexia is when a patient loses significant weight and can't stop the decline. Once it progresses, it can be as deadly as the cancer itself. 20-40% of cancer deaths are from malnutrition (cachexia) not cancer. This was how my brother died.
In my research of cachexia, I discovered some similarities to the hyper-metabolic syndrome with that of burn victims and that gave me the different view I needed. I decided to combine Pharmaceutical Drug Treatment science with OTC/Nutraceuticals to make a product to beat cancer cachexia - something that was "impossible".
I named my product CellAssure - this was one of the proudest moments of my life and the best way I could give to the entire world. CellAssure was a drink, a meal replacement drink (incredibly complex formula). It was over the counter...not a prescription. I included Beta Glucans 1,3/1,6 , Pterostilbene, and many other unique combo's that earned me a provisional patent like this combination (Curcumin + Cu II).
I was able to meet with the head of nutrition at the world renowned Moffitt Hospital and she was very impressed by the complexity of CellAssure. I remember introducing her to one my ingredients that she had never heard of before and why it had better patient outcome potential than what they knew/used. To her massive credit, she not only listened, but actively investigated it and came to understand why it was such an incredible choice! There was quickly an offer to do a clinical study there (ultimate compliment)!
I remember this wonderful lady came into our headquarters to pick up a 3rd box of CellAssure. Her husband's health had quickly deteriorated going through cancer treatment and the Dr.'s had nothing to help him. She purchased CellAssure from a pharmacy. She said he went from being constantly sick/losing weight/no energy to being more "normal" within a few weeks. His weight was quickly coming back on as well as his energy. The day I met her she said her biggest problem was that he kept going out to play golf! She said (happily) that he was driving her crazy! My day was made and over time he was back to full health!
The best evidence was brought to us via City of Hope Hospital in California. They did their own mini trial by choosing 2 patients during chemo treatments who were in poor health and had lost significant weight (one lost 24 lbs, the other 15 lbs.). Our product was being tested in the toughest situation: during chemotherapy, older patients, significant weight loss already occurred, no appetite, negative lab results. After one box (4 weeks) they sent us the "before & after" which included the lab results on blood testing and not just body weight. The results were spectacular. These ladies both gained significant weight, felt better, and their blood work improved tremendously. I remember being on a video conference while my head of research shared the results with a surgeon...he simply said "I don't understand what I'm seeing" as he shook his head. He said their blood work went from that of a sick patient to a normal patient...something that was pretty "impossible" considering what they were going through!
To me, CellAssure was my greatest breakthrough invention/creation...
Derek Vest's Biggest Victory & Loss
Now my other objective: Chemo Brain. This is pretty common among cancer patients and it is basically issues with short term memory or memory "fog". The reason I even chose to tackle this is because the CEO of a cancer drug development company challenged me to do so since there was nothing available. The endless hours of research and thinking ensued as always with me thinking "different" as always.
I made a clinical decision to focus on concussions and its biomarkers. As luck would have it, my head of research had world-class expertise in concussions and traumatic brain injury and I went through tons of research and focused on specific inflammatory interleukin's (IL-6 for one). I then looked at mental degenerative biomarkers, neurotoxin protection of specific brain tissue, and paired that with the concussion research to form the framework for what was needed to make a breakthrough product (that again was an OTC and not a prescription).
The product I created was called Cognify. I knew the science was right, but often things that "work" on paper, do not work on the human body. In this case it DID! The first patient that used it was a wonderful female cancer patient. As she said, she had "Major Chemo Brain". She would put her keys down and forget where they were the next minute or simply couldn't come up with simple words in normal conversation (not at all how she was before chemo). She noticed the change almost immediately and was so excited she even came into the office to film a testimonial. She knew it was the Cognify making the difference because she flew to see family in Colorado and forgot to bring it with her. Within a day or so, the "chemo brain" came back. She had it sent to her and as soon as she was back on it she was fine! As a gift for me, she brought in her "pink cancer ribbon" that was given to her at the hospital and gave it to me. I was humbled and tears followed!
The biggest compliment came from somebody that I (and millions of other people) truly admire - Scott Hamilton. He tried it and was very impressed. Some of my staff even was invited to visit with him. Please note he did not endorse it and we did not ask that of it him. It was simply an honor to be able to offer relief to someone as amazing as him!
So - it seems like this is a GREAT story right?? We beat out the biggest companies in the world in our drink category for cachexia and offered chemo brain relief for the first time in history! I was able to potentially help millions of others with the disease that killed my only brother! For most anybody this would mean their life, their existence, was special and served a purpose.
Nope - Houston we have a problem! There was a major issue with how our marketing department was advertising.
The company that actually made the products for our company was Makers Nutrition. Before printing all our packages/boxes/bottles we had to go through their FDA/FTC "experts" to make sure we were in compliance (sounds good to me). We had to make some changes at their suggestion and then we were "off to the races". We trusted their compliance guidelines and thought everything was fine!
Slight problem. They were WAY off in giving us the green light...way off. Literally all of our marketing was based off their recommendations.
The FTC came at us strongly and it didn't matter about how successful our products were - they were just "doing their job" and stopping any company from improper/misleading marketing - I totally get it. My first priority was to protect my employees. Since it was my company, I accepted full responsibility. This process could take years and millions of dollars and I wouldn't put my family through that.
During this process nobody was arrested, there was no trial, or fines, or anything like that - mostly tons of paperwork. The process pretty much ended by us closing the company...that seemed to be the solution that the government wanted. It killed me to do it as I believed we could have helped endless people. It killed me because I did the "impossible" and we still lost!
What upsets most people who watched this unfold is that what was "best" for Americans or humanity was not done at all. Billions of dollars could have potentially been saved by our health system each year and countless lives positively impacted. How different an outcome if they would have simply looked at the evidence and said, "amazing products, but change everything in your marketing campaign and pay a big fine".?
Giving back to the community can come in many forms - if you look for opportunities to help someone (even just to make them smile) you will find them all the time! These next 3 stories are each very different and they all were about people I didn't yet know, but they all ended up have an impact upon my life and my heart. None of the people asked for my help, nor did their family, I was simply gifted with an opportunity and followed my heart the same as anybody else.
Look For Beautiful Moments To Give
Three of my favorite giving blessings...
The next story began after meeting an incredible lady, who happened to be a wonderful mother. Her plate was not only full from all the trials that life brings us all, but her son was sick. Very sick. He had been in Golisano Children's Hospital for quite awhile. Any parent can understand the stress and sadness she was under. Although he was "supposed" to be getting better, he couldn't and wouldn't eat or drink - things we looking bad. I asked to go and see him with her one time, and she blessed me with a visit. He was a beautiful soul! I spent time with him and could tell he was "done" with all the medical people, testing, hospital, and everything it meant to him.
As I built up trust and friendship with him, I finally thought of a plan that might help. I asked him what he wanted most in the world to make him forget where he was. His answer came very quickly. "I want an Apple Ipod". We then talked about all the food and drinks that were "not" at the hospital that he would like if he felt better. Eventually, together, we came up with a list. Then the bargain was made: "I am bringing you an Apple Ipod tomorrow along with everything you like to eat and drink, and I'm going to bring my 3 year old daughter to visit you as well. All I ask is that you enjoy your gift and eat and drink as much as you can - and I will continue to bring you anything you wish to eat or drink as well".
I procured all the items as promised and came with my daughter (see picture below). Everyone, especially his beautiful mom, was blown away at him eating and drinking. Amazingly, his health started improving as well as his happiness (Ipod). I visited often and even had the privilege of spending a night there in his hospital room with his family - fulfilling another promise. It was a fun night for him and the mom and an incredible blessing for me. Eventually he was released from the hospital and is now an incredible and strong kid. This was an incredible blessing for me, but also a wonderful learning experience for my daughter.
One day I ran into a wonderful friend that fosters children and she happened to have a new 3 year old girl (so sweet) that came from a very bad situation. I instantly fell in love with that little girl...next thing you know I am taking them out for a great breakfast and then I take them shopping for whatever they needed (clothes, toys, shoes etc.) - it was a glorious feeling! She had let me know that the little girl never would allow any male around her...but I was blessed that day as she jumped in my arms and hugged me. I am a VERY lucky guy!
Immokalee Princess
Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
Blessed and Haunted
Only those around me at the time know this story, I never talk about it - but I think about it very often...you could easily say it haunts my heart and mind...
About a decade ago, an employee told me about a couple she new. They had a 12 year old daughter, and she was battling cancer. Since they new I was working with some top cancer doctors/researchers, they asked if I could help. I was introduced to the family over the phone (father) and first had to learn what she was dealing with. Glioblastoma was not what I was expecting to hear (very bad brain cancer - short life expectancy). This process of the family having to deal with this drains their hearts and pocketbooks alike as great parents will spend anything to help their children!
I called my guys in California (cancer drug development/research company) and they responded right away. They made calls across this beautiful country and called in some experts that would be impossible to put together (I was proud of my team and my hopes were bolstered...). I was not part of any medical discussions, but I asked for and received updates. Ideas, medications, protocols, experts and more were given. I would receive thankful texts from the family, but the medical world could not stop the cancer. I was devastated by the news of "no hope of stopping it", but of course that was NOTHING compared to the sadness and heartbreak of the family and this beautiful girl.
My last gift to them, was for all of them: I sent them to Disney World for a family vacation. A time to share some smiles and make memories. I am literally crying as I write this even now. She passed. The world is so not fair. By then my daughter was born. I constantly remembered her...I constantly worried if my daughter would have this same terrible fate. Only a few months ago did my daughter turn 13 - I pray every day for her, and thank God for my daughters health.
That is the thing about giving, it will not always work out. You will not always feel like a hero. It might crush you a little - or a lot. But there is always a gift, you just might have to look a little harder to find it or understand it.
Giving back to your community doesn't have to be like my stories from above, as not everyone has extra money or connections to make things possible. Below are just a couple examples that bring me great happiness!
I donated a couple years of free business service to my church (Covid Disinfecting Entire Church). I would go every Friday and spend an hour or more using the most powerful, technologically advanced device for disinfection, Steramist (created in conjunction with US Government). I was a lot of hard work and since it was one of my companies, it saved the church $700 each cleaning as I took care of it.
It allowed the church members to have the safest church in the state if not the country. I loved having the church all to myself - great prayer time (I went to Catholic school from Kindergarten to 12th grade).
One of the most rewarding things I like to do is just go volunteer at the Human Society by the Flee Market. You can go anytime to help - no scheduling necessary (once you take their quick course) and it FEELS GREAT! The dogs are SO HAPPY to see you and I love grabbing snacks from the "treat room" and sharing some love. You can even just sit next to them in the kennel and chill with them. The socializing is great for them and helps them get adopted faster. I have brought my daughter several times with me and she is now old enough to take the course and can officially go "work" with me. I also love going into the different cat rooms and hanging with them! All these few stories I mentioned are kept to myself (minus this page). None of my closest friends and even family know the things I do or have done (these things seem more private I suppose).
