When Derek Moneyberg was little boy, he would often go to bed hungry as his mum couldn't always afford to buy food as well as paying the rent.
His dad and his uncle were serving long term prison sentences and his neighbourhood was filled with drugs and violence.
But as he grew up he was determined to escape and make something of himself, developing an entrepreneurial nature at a young age.
He knocked on doors to pick up odd jobs like raking leaves and cutting grass for extra cash until he could get his first proper job at 16.
He worked his way to the top before setting up his own businesses and dedicated everything to making cash - including having a vasectomy at just 26 so he could put all his focus on his clients.
And his hard work and dedication paid off and he became a millionaire at just 29, living a life of luxury with beautiful houses, fancy cars and a £140,000 piano he doesn't even know how to play.
But despite admitting that work will always come first for him, when it comes to love he says he needs a woman who will prioritise him over her own career.
Derek, now 42, is a wealth and business coach based in Nevada, US, who travels the world sharing his wisdom with current and future entrepreneurs and investors.
He currently owns three businesses and is worth over $35 million (USD), regularly treating himself to luxuries such as marble and bronze statues – which he collects – expensive cars, and a huge penthouse office.
But although he is now living the dream, Derek had a difficult upbringing while growing up in Chicago, which included proximity to gang crime, violence and drugs.
He said: “We lived in a rough neighbourhood.
“I was surrounded by hoodlum 'friends’ who did all the unproductive activities that delinquents do. There was a lot of violence, people using drugs and drinking too much alcohol. My father and uncle were serving long prison sentences for much of my childhood, so their example kept me away from most of the crime I could have been involved in.
“Even though I was never in a gang myself, I knew plenty of people who were. I had to fight many times as a kid and was once stabbed in my shoulder as a teenager.
“I had friends who died from violence or substance abuse, and I still carry physical scars and negative memories from that time in my life.
“I also remember often going to bed hungry because my mother sometimes couldn't afford to buy food for us after paying the rent.
"It instilled a drive in me to build my own success as an adult, so that I would never have to feel that emptiness or despair again.”
But Derek was determined to change his life and started to do whatever he could to earn a bit of extra cash.
He said: "Between the ages of seven and 11, I would bang on every neighbour's door within walking distance and ask what, if any, projects I could help them with.
"I raked leaves, cut grass and shovelled snow for three blocks' worth of houses.
“Eventually, I also got a paper route and delivered newspapers, which did very well. The following year, I had four paper routes and started to employ friends to give them 75% of the pay, while I took 25%.
“I didn't care what the job was, so long as it brought in money.”
Derek got his first full-time gig at Walmart aged 18, where he negotiated himself to two promotions in 13 months – swiftly rising up the ranks to become store support manager at 19.
Sharing his top tip for securing a raise and new title, he said: “The secret to getting promotions quickly is to do all your tasks quickly and with attention to detail.
“Then, once they’re done, go up to your supervisor and ask for more responsibility. Repeat the process again and again.
“You are there to do your supervisor's job and to make them look good.
“When they get promoted, they will fight for you to take over their position."
Derek has also spent nine years in higher education, often working and studying over 50 hours per week.
He has multiple degrees including one in business administration from Bradley University, which he won a scholarship to attend. He also graduated from the esteemed University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and estimates that he has spent over one million USD on his education.
Growing his wealth has always been the number one priority for the now millionaire – and he prioritises it over having a traditional family.
Derek said: “I had a vasectomy at age 26. My nurturing instincts are directed towards my friends and clients.
“I’d argue that money is the biggest factor in all relationships.
“Any woman who becomes upset that I am more focused on our mutual success instead of being 'normal' – or having kids – isn't for me.
"I don't want to live an average life. I don’t go on vacation. I love what I do, so there’s no need to take days off.
“This attitude has helped me screen out people who aren't supportive and make meaningful relationships with people who have similar goals and values.
“I have deep respect for and love women who are intelligent and work hard for their goals, although I’d rather she focus her attention on our relationship more than be concerned about a career."
Speaking about making his first million at 29, he added: "Making my first million was as a cool moment.
"I still remember adding up the numbers from different accounts and realising it. I was most surprised by how quickly it snuck up on me.
“While I was really happy to hit that milestone, for me, it didn't stop my drive.
"I did treat myself to a couple of trips though and bought a bunch of friends fancy dinners – but then just kept working.
“Eventually I bought a nice house and car."
Now, Derek has a luxurious penthouse, collects marble and bronze statues worth over a million dollars, a $200,000 piano that he "doesn't know how to play", and a Maybach car worth more than the piano with a full-time driver.
His coaching business teaches people how to become entrepreneurs and build up enough capital so that they can transition from employees, to business owners, to investors in global securities markets and real estate.
The 42-year-old helps his clients via special weekly content lessons but the mentoring sessions don’t come cheap.
He said: “My lowest priced program is $5,000.
“I feel that if someone doesn’t have that much to invest in their future then it’s not going to work for us in our mentor/mentee relationship.
"I want to help people who have a goal to earn at least a million dollar net worth. If five grand and some dedicated focus is too much to ask from them, that's not someone I would accept as a client.
“They should be able to save this up to spend on something that will ultimately gain them tremendously more in the future.”
Derek has also shared his top tips to budding millionaires.
He said: "Look up what freelancer skills are in high demand, learn one of those skills and start taking on small jobs.
“Soon you will grow your skill set and your network and if you execute at a high level, opportunities will follow.
"But remember, your product or service needs to be of exceptional quality.
"Selling junk attracts terrible, ungrateful buyers. Put in the extra time and energy upfront to make the goods or services you are providing the top standard for your category.
“And don’t waste your life away trying to figure it all out yourself.
“Seek out the best mentors you can find; whether it's university professors, high quality friends or paid coaches like myself – but ensure they have the correct experience before you trust their guidance.
“This will help you side-step the suffering, frictions and wasted time of trying to invent something from scratch.”
