Rocky Derrick built Taylor Derrick Capital from an $800,000 fund into an $800+ million private lending platform, but the real story isn't the balance sheet. In this episode of Case Studies, Rocky sits down with Casey to unpack the partnership that made it possible, the sudden loss of his co-founder, and the grinding, invisible years that came before any of it looked like success. This conversation is for entrepreneurs and leaders who understand that real success is rarely linear. It's a reminder that discipline, humility, and relationships, not luck, are what actually build something lasting.
[00:00] Welcome, Rocky Derrick
[01:12] Life Today at Taylor Derrick Capital
[04:01] Inside the Lending Business
[08:12] Win-Win: The Borrower Relationship
[13:06] Choosing Loyal Capital Over Institutions
[17:05] Brazil, the U, and a New Direction
[19:41] Choosing USC's MRED Program
[24:46] A Clear Answer in the Night
[29:18] Building a High-Rise in Vegas
[33:54] The Mezzanine Lender's Call
[39:00] Meeting Mark Taylor
[53:00] Fired, Humbled, and Betting on Himself
[1:01:47] Launching Taylor Derrick Capital
[1:09:00] Losing Mark, Carrying the Weight
[1:14:04] Lessons on Partnership and Leadership
[1:30:15] AI, Efficiency, and the Future
[1:46:15] Faith, Family, and Grace
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