Mizzou Founder Features: Dr. DéRecco Lynch

From small-town dreamer to tech trailblazer, Dr. DéRecco Lynch's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. With 17 years of leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Lynch has been at the forefront of breaking down barriers for marginalized students and ensuring equitable access to higher education. Now, as the founder of The Excellence Factory, Dr. Lynch is building a thriving community of innovators who are tapping into their dreams and the networks they need to build amazing companies. The world needs more people like Dr. Lynch – people with a vision larger than themselves. Though The Excellence Factory is relatively young, Dr. Lynch and his team are setting the standard for equity and accessibility in the tech industry.

Growing Up

Dr. DéRecco Lynch was born in West Virginia and split his time between St. Albans and Charleston. Despite moving around a lot as a kid, he was always surrounded by friends, family, and friends who became family, no matter where he moved; his mother is one of three, his father is one of five, and his grandmother is one of fourteen. He notes that his grandmother was his role model when he was growing up. She was bold and knew how to live her life true to herself, something Dr. Lynch has prioritized in his career. When he reflects on his childhood, it’s that same sense of community and family that fuels his desire to build The Excellence Factory.

Beyond community, Dr. Lynch has always had a knack for creating things, whether it was planning family reunions and ordering catering and t-shirts, or promoting his mixtapes and clothing line, “Scarface,” which unfortunately did not see the light of day.

Dr. Lynch's childhood dreams were as diverse as they come – at one point, he aspired to be Beyoncé, then the President of the United States, and later the next Steve Jobs. Surprisingly, his reality today isn't too far off from those lofty aspirations. Just like Beyoncé captivates audiences, Dr. Lynch entertains and engages listeners through his podcast, Outta Line. Similar to the influence displayed by a president, he shapes minds and sparks discussions as a thought leader online. And reminiscent of Steve Jobs' innovative spirit, he contributes to groundbreaking projects at The Excellence Factory. While his childhood ambitions might have seemed scattered, Dr. Lynch's commitment to making a difference has always remained steady.

College and Early Career

Dr. Lynch's college journey kicked off at Marshall University, where he earned his Bachelor's in Psychology from 2007 to 2011. During his time at Marshall, he was deeply involved in campus life, leading his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and taking on leadership roles in various student organizations, like Black United Students, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Student Government Association. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Lynch pursued a Master's degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Non-Profit and Public Agency at Marshall from 2013 to 2014, expanding his knowledge and skills in non-profit and public agency settings. During this time, he also served as a recruiter for Marshall University, allowing him to nomad from city to city in the U.S. for two years. This travel experience early on is part of the reason he chose to be a digital nomad down the road.

However, his academic journey didn't end there. Fate intervened when he was introduced to Mizzou's Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) department. Despite initially being unsure about further studies, Dr. Lynch found himself drawn to Mizzou and decided to pursue a doctoral program in 2015.

Dr. Lynch graduated with his doctoral degree from Mizzou in 2023, however, his time in higher education extended far beyond the confines of his degree program. Throughout his eight years at Mizzou, he delved into campus life once again, this time from an administrative perspective. He worked at Lincoln University as Director of Recruitment and New Student Engagement. Here he led the creation of One Stop Shop, which quickly became the go-to hub for students. It was a place where students could receive support, meet with thought partners, and move the needle on whatever they were working on. Moving on to the University of Cincinnati in 2017, he played a pivotal role in boosting enrollment numbers and raising the university's profile. The program he created as the Associate Director for Recruitment and Strategic Populations is still alive today. However, it was Dr. Lynch's time as the Director of Enrollment Management at Brown University from 2019 to 2021 that truly defined his professional journey. Leading the enrollment strategy for the world's largest pre-college program, Dr. Lynch not only showcased his leadership skills but also found a new passion for exploring technology in education. Brown University became the turning point where Dr. Lynch's career took an exciting new direction, blending his love for academia with a growing interest in tech innovation.

At Salesforce, Dr. Lynch's passion for technology and social impact reached new heights. As a Solutions Engineer and later as Chief HBCU Engagement Officer, he spearheaded HBCU360, an initiative to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

How Salesforce and HBCUs are Partnering with Purpose | https://www.salesforce.com/blog/salesforce-hbcu-partner-with-purpose/

Dr. Lynch's role at Salesforce was dedicated to harnessing technology to empower community change-makers. However, when the market downturn hit in 2022 and tech layoffs surged, he found himself contemplating his next steps. Reflecting on hundreds of encounters with social leaders brimming with ideas to improve the world, he recognized a disparity between the desire for positive change and the individuals actively engaged in making it happen.

Founding The Excellence Factory: A Vision Takes Shape

The inception of The Excellence Factory marked a pivotal moment in Dr. Lynch's journey, as he began on a mission to democratize access to education and innovation. Inspired by his experiences and fueled by a desire to drive meaningful change, he set out to create a platform where ideas could thrive and communities could flourish. Thinking back to the One Stop Shop at Lincoln University that he created, The Excellence Factory serves as a one-stop shop for inspiration, collaboration, and execution.

It all began after his birthday brunch in January of 2023 when he sat down and sketched out the vision of The Excellence Factory on paper, complete with 3D models ready to go. Despite not having a physical location yet, he was driven by a clear goal: to reimagine how tech companies connect people and drive excellence. He shared his vision through a video sent to friends, family, and colleagues in the tech industry. This sparked immediate interest, leading Dr. Lynch to reach out to his co-founder, Bryan Williams, and before they knew it, by March, they had assembled a team of 25 individuals. The Excellence Factory was gaining momentum, and fast. Before they had even launched, Dr. Lynch and Bryan were having meetings with another organization that wanted to acquire them.

Dr. Lynch & Bryan | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/DéRecco_entrepreneurship-innovation-businessgrowth-activity-7124804643481649152-QDBG/?trk=public_profile_like_view

However, amidst the rapid growth, Dr. Lynch encountered his fair share of challenges. One of the most significant hurdles was overcoming fear – fear of venturing into uncharted territory, fear of balancing multiple responsibilities as a doctoral student, engineer, podcast host, and event planner, and fear of taking the leap to start a business. Another major obstacle has been building a company remotely. Although Dr. Lynch enjoys living a digital nomad life, he recognizes the complications that can arise.

Despite the obstacles, Dr. Lynch finds immense fulfillment in his work. The heart of The Excellence Factory lies in empowering individuals to turn their ideas into reality because he knows what it’s like to have an idea, but have no idea how to start it. Witnessing the transformation from idea to action, and ultimately, from aspiration to achievement, has been the most rewarding aspect of his journey so far.

Dr. Lynch firmly believes in the power of mentorship, emphasizing the importance of having sponsors, coaches, and mentors in one's corner. Among his mentors, Jason Melton stands out as a significant source of support, particularly in the startup space. Dr. Lynch met Jason during his early days in higher education through LinkedIn, and their connection deepened as they transitioned into the tech industry. Jason's extensive experience in startups and his ability to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship have been invaluable to Dr. Lynch. What started as a mentorship turned into a formal advisory role within The Excellence Factory. He acknowledges the profound impact mentorship has had on his journey, stating, "I believe mentorship is so important because without it I don't think I would have made it this far in life."

Dr. Lynch and his team have spent the last year getting their hands dirty at The Excellence Factory. A recent win happened just last month when Dr. Lynch and Bryan pitched at a Rev 1 Ventures pitch competition and placed top three. Receiving their first angel investment was another recent catalyst that has allowed them to build the framework for their proof of concept and launch to a broader market. It’s safe to say that the future of The Excellence Factory is looking bright.

Beyond Running a Company

In December of 2023, despite being told in high school that he would never be able to graduate with a degree of any kind, Dr. Lynch graduated from Mizzou and officially became Dr. DéRecco Lynch, calling it “a milestone beyond words.” And if that wasn’t impressive enough, he did it while building a company, growing his podcast, traveling the world, and writing a book that is coming along great.

Outta Line Podcast | https://soundcloud.com/user-636592722

Dr. Lynch continues to prove that the sky is the limit – something he hopes everyone can realize. When asked where he hoped to be in five years, he said either the CEO of Google or a College President and, honestly, he will probably find a way to do both. He also says he wants to start creating the space to settle from being a digital nomad to someday build a family.

In his free time, Dr. Lynch mentors those who are interested in jumping into technology. He is on a mission to drive access to tech jobs because the experience for him was so life-changing and he wants to spread awareness. Some of the students he mentors now work at The Excellence Factory. As he continues to chart new territories, Dr. Lynch remains grounded in his values and driven by his desire to create a life beyond work.

As we dive into our Q&A with Dr. Lynch, one thing is certain – there's no doubt that he will continue to make the world a better place and take his vision to new heights.

Q&A

Can you share one of your favorite quotes?

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” – James Baldwin

Have you had a mentor figure in your life and, if so, how did they impact your career journey?

One of my biggest inspirations in life is my cousin Kim. She's the mastermind behind Harlem Hops, the only Black-owned beer bar in Harlem, New York. Recently, they expanded to their second location downtown, right on the Pier57 in the Google Building! Kim's journey has deeply influenced my entrepreneurial path. While my dream has always been to become a college president or the CEO of a tech company, she's given me numerous opportunities to explore the world of entrepreneurship. From bringing me on board as a full business partner for her event production company to entrusting me with running the non-profit arm of Harlem Hopes. Witnessing her evolution from a biology major at Clark Atlanta (a HIstorically Black college and University in Atlanta) to orchestrating NBA all-star events to becoming a beer mogul has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Although I couldn't fully grasp how these micro experiences she surrounded me with would lead to now, I'm grateful for her belief in me and for allowing me to be part of her success story. While our industries may differ, her mentorship has instilled in me the confidence to embark on my own entrepreneurial journey.

Reflecting on The Excellence Factory, what aspects of your leadership style have evolved, and what catalyzed these changes?

Reflecting on The Excellence Factory, my leadership style has evolved, particularly in the aspect of enabling the team to win. Drawing inspiration from my experience at Salesforce, where employee enablement was key to success, I've learned to focus not only on the day-to-day operations and fundraising aspects of my role as CEO but also on creating a culture that enables every team member to thrive. The catalyst for this change occurred early in our journey, just two months after our founding date, when we onboarded a team of 25 individuals, each bringing top talent from diverse industries. Initially, I assumed that with such a talented team, we would hit the ground running. I was truly wrong! Four months later, we found ourselves reduced to a team of only four (we also saw a productivity spike). This was my “oh, this ride is going to be different and I have no clue what I'm doing and need to learn and skill up fast” moment. It made me realize that being a successful leader in the context of everyone being new to the startup world would require more than just assembling a talented team; it was mission-critical clarity around our mission and ensuring that every team member understood their role within The Excellence Factory. As a result, I've become more intentional about how I manage time, communicate information, and follow up with the team to ensure alignment and success.

If you could sit down with freshman year DéRecco, what would you tell him?

You don't have to try and change the whole world in a day, if you can get one person to think differently each day that is just as impactful.

Share your best piece(s) of advice for current and aspiring entrepreneurs at Mizzou.

Utilize the resources available to you and if you are not sure what is out there ask someone for help. Don't get in your own way, the goal is to fail fast so you can get to your next milestone sooner.

Share the title(s) of a book or podcast you recommend to any entrepreneur.

One of my favorite podcasts is Idea to Start Up – so much knowledge and real-life business experiences. And, Business Wars for a blend of business and entertainment.

As for books, two that have been incredibly eye-opening for me are:

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

YOU are a BADASS by Jen Sincero

Additionally, I highly recommend:

The Art of The Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki

Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Customer Growth by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares

Thank you! Check in next Monday for a new Founder Feature!