Can He Build a Brand around Traditional Masculinity in a Modern World?

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Money relationship: It's complicated.

We've all got baggage. Financial baggage, that is. Blame your ancestors. Or society. Or that time you blew your allowance on Wacky Packy stickers. (No judgment. We've all been there.)

But here's a thought: What if your money hangups are actually holding you back? Mind-blowing, right?

Here's a pro tip to kick your financial mindset into gear:

Find your financial thermostat.

How? I’ll tell you at the end of the newsletter.

First, I want to get right to the entrepreneur we’re featuring this week.

The Forgotten Man: How Derrick Gerstmann is Reviving Traditional Masculinity in a Modern World

Picture this: a young man, standing at the edge of a mountain trail in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, gazing out at the vast expanse of autumn leaves. The air is crisp, the silence profound, and for a moment, he feels both invincible and insignificant. That man is Derrick Gerstmann, and this scene isn’t just a snapshot of his love for the outdoors—it’s a metaphor for his life and mission.

Derrick is not your typical entrepreneur. He’s a high-ticket sales consultant turned advocate for men rediscovering their identity in a world that often tells them to forget it.

But Derrick didn’t start here. His journey is one of grit, reinvention, and an unrelenting drive to serve others. From selling knives door-to-door to running his own tech company, to now launching The Forgotten Man—a movement and product line aimed at empowering men—Derrick’s story is as multifaceted as it is inspiring.

From Sales Whiz to High-Ticket Closer

Derrick’s entrepreneurial journey began in the trenches of sales. His first job? Selling Cutco knives. And not just selling them—he achieved a 100% closing ratio for 90 days straight.

“Unheard of,” he admits, but it was just the beginning.

From there, he climbed the corporate ladder at AT&T, managing stores and turning underperforming locations into profitable ventures. At one point, he transformed a mall store with a dismal 2% closing ratio into a 34% success story—complete with popcorn machines and Interstellar screenings to keep customers engaged.

But corporate life came with its own set of challenges. Long hours, little time for family, and eventually, a pay cut that slashed his salary nearly in half. “That was it,” Derrick recalls. “I realized I was losing my life to this job.” So he walked away, taking his knack for sales and problem-solving into entrepreneurship.

The Leap into Entrepreneurship

Derrick co-founded his first business, Floss Tech, an on-site tech support company that quickly grew to $200,000 in annual revenue. But success came with betrayal—his business partner used a legal loophole to oust him from the company. Undeterred, Derrick launched Infinity Bridges, another tech venture he ran successfully for six years.

Then came the pandemic—a financial wrecking ball that left Derrick on the brink of homelessness. With his back against the wall, he stumbled upon an ad for high-ticket sales training. Skeptical but desperate, he took a leap of faith, investing everything—literally everything—into the program. Within 18 days, he completed what was supposed to be a 90-day course and landed his first job as a high-ticket closer.

The risk paid off. Derrick went from facing eviction to earning five-figure checks biweekly. “It was freedom like I’d never experienced before,” he says. But even as his financial situation stabilized, something deeper was stirring.

The Birth of The Forgotten Man

As Derrick thrived in sales, he began noticing something troubling: many men around him were struggling—not just financially or professionally, but emotionally and spiritually.

“Where are the men?” he wondered aloud one day.

Not the caricatures of toxic masculinity or the passive figures retreating from responsibility—but real men who embody strength, integrity, and service.

This question became the seed for The Forgotten Man, Derrick’s latest venture aimed at reviving traditional masculine values in a way that resonates with modern challenges. It’s not about turning back the clock or rejecting progress; it’s about balance—honoring timeless principles while navigating today’s complexities.

At its core are seven tenets:

1. We are not kings; we are men: Embrace your identity without needing grandiose titles.

2. Respect others; respect yourself: Set boundaries and prioritize your well-being.

3. To serve others is to serve yourself: Use your strength to uplift those around you.

4. Kindness and righteousness are not interchangeable: Doing what’s right isn’t always what’s easy.

5. Responsibility often extends further than arm's reach: Step up when you see something wrong—even if it’s not your fault.

6. Practice discipline for menial tasks: Master small things so big challenges feel manageable.

7. Family is paramount: Whether by blood or bond, nurture your closest relationships.

These aren’t just lofty ideals—they’re practical guidelines born from Derrick’s own experiences and struggles.

A Straight Razor and a Mirror

The first product in The Forgotten Man line is as symbolic as it is functional: a straight razor shaving kit. Why? Because Derrick wants men to look themselves in the mirror—not out of vanity but introspection—and confront who they are without shame or distraction.

“There’s something powerful about holding something sharp,” Derrick explains. “It could harm you if misused, but you choose every day to use it to improve yourself instead.” It’s also a subtle nod to mental health—a reminder that even when life feels overwhelming, there’s strength in choosing self-care over self-destruction.

Grounded in Nature

Much of Derrick’s inspiration comes from time spent outdoors—a place where clarity often strikes like lightning. Whether hiking Virginia’s Skyline Drive or staring into the abyss of the Atlantic Ocean at night, nature has been his sanctuary and teacher.

“Fear teaches you your limits; peace clears away the noise,” he says simply.

Why It Matters

In an era where masculinity is often misunderstood or maligned, The Forgotten Man offers an alternative narrative—one rooted in service, discipline, and connection. It’s not about rejecting modernity but reclaiming what makes us human in an increasingly digital world.

For Derrick Gerstmann, this isn’t just business—it’s personal. And for anyone feeling lost in today’s hustle culture or disconnected from their roots? This might just be the call to action they’ve been waiting for.

After all, as Derrick puts it: “Sometimes the most revolutionary thing we can do is remember who we are.”

Connect with Derrick as a founding member of his community here.

About Your Financial Thermostat?

“Financial thermostat?”

Yeah, you heard that right. It's like a regular thermostat, but for your wallet. Fancy, huh?

This invisible gizmo controls your money comfort zone. It's why you keep hitting that same income ceiling. Or why unexpected windfalls make you sweat.

How to spot yours:

1. Check your bank account. Stuck at a certain number? Thermostat alert.

2. Notice your money freakouts. Panic when things change? Thermostat's working overtime.

3. Examine your beliefs about what “a lot of money” means. This is where you might discover that your thermostat's set to "broke."

Here's the kicker: You can change it. Mind. Blown.

Your financial thermostat was set by your past. But guess what? You're not stuck there. Time to crank up the heat on your money potential.

Ready to get uncomfortable? (In a good way, I promise.)

Join me Saturday, 1/25, for a financial thermostat reset party. It's like a regular party, but with less small talk and more money breakthroughs.

RSVP here.

Your wallet will thank you. Sooner than you might even imagine.

Got a Voice and Not Afraid to Use It?

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