In a cluttered digital landscape where agencies promise the moon and deliver mediocrity, Derek Reardon stands as a refreshing anomaly. His story doesn’t begin in Silicon Valley boardrooms or marketing seminars, but in military service, where discipline wasn’t just a buzzword.
At eighteen, when most of his peers were navigating college campuses, Derek was learning lessons that would later become the foundation of his business . Operation Enduring Freedom taught him more than combat tactics; it developed a mindset that would prove invaluable in the equally challenging battlefield of entrepreneurship.
“Joining the military at 18 years old definitely built the skills I needed to succeed in business,” Derek reflects. “Primarily, the ability to show up and get the job done, no matter how you feel. The military taught me discipline over motivation.”
This distinction between motivation and discipline would become the cornerstone of Derek’s philosophy. While motivation fluctuates with mood and circumstances, discipline remains constant, showing up regardless of external conditions. After pulling 16-hour shifts, six days a week for over six months overseas, sleeping only four hours a night, Derek came back with a rock-solid conviction in what he could achieve.
“I figured that if I can pull 16-hour shifts, 6 days a week, and sleep 4 hours a night for over 6 months, then I can do anything,” he explains. This revelation became the catalyst for his transition from military service to entrepreneurial success.
CRACKING THE CODE OF LOCAL DOMINANCE
Derek’s expertise lies in “Google Map Pack domination,” a specialized field that has become his signature strength. The Google Map Pack represents the holy grail of local search: those coveted top three business listings that appear when potential customers search locally.
“The Google Map Pack is the top 3 business listings that show up when someone searches locally,” Derek explains. “For example, if someone searches for ‘electrician near me,’ Google has hundreds of options to choose from, but only three get shown.”
The statistics behind this positioning are staggering. Those three listings capture up to 70% of all clicks, making them worth their weight in gold for service-based businesses. Unlike Google Ads, where deep pockets can buy visibility, Map Pack positioning must be earned organically through strategic optimization, posting, reviews, engagement, and backlinks.
“Unlike Google Ads, you can’t pay your way in. You need to earn it organically, similar to website SEO. However, Map Pack SEO differs as it is newer, faster, less expensive, and delivers results much quicker,” Derek notes.
This understanding of the Map Pack’s unique dynamics has allowed Derek to help scale thousands of small businesses, transforming struggling enterprises into local market leaders.
RESULTS OVER RHETORIC: A NO-BS APPROACH
In an industry notorious for smoke and mirrors, Derek has built Centerlock Media on a foundation of radical transparency. While traditional agencies often dazzle clients with complex metrics and industry jargon, Derek’s approach is refreshingly direct.
“Traditional agencies often focus on ‘fluff’ and minor add-ons that don’t necessarily move the needle,” he observes. “I focus on whatever is needed to get my clients ranked for the keywords they need. I show real-time rankings for every keyword, before and after. No hard-to-understand metrics or confusing acronyms; clients aren’t marketers. They just want results.”
This commitment to clarity extends to every aspect of his service delivery. Derek recognizes that most business owners aren’t interested in the technical intricacies of SEO; they want to see tangible improvements in their bottom line. His reporting style reflects this understanding, presenting progress in simple, visual terms that anyone can comprehend.
The philosophy extends to his approach to common business profile mistakes. “I’d say the biggest mistake business owners make is ignoring their reviews. And when they do respond, they miss the chance to work in SEO-rich keywords. If Google sees you don’t value your reviews, why would it value your ranking?”
CONSISTENCY AS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Derek’s most impactful advice for service-based businesses centers on one word: consistency. In a world where entrepreneurs constantly seek the silver bullet solution, Derek advocates for the power of persistent, daily action.
“Google rewards activity,” he emphasizes. “That means regular posts on your Google Business Profile every day or at least a few times a week, steady review generation, and thoughtful SEO responses to those reviews. Add in fresh photo updates of your actual work, and you’re sending Google all the right signals.”
This philosophy directly contradicts the get-rich-quick mentality that pervades much of the digital marketing space. Derek’s approach is methodical, patient, and grounded in the understanding that sustainable success requires sustained effort.
“It’s not one big magic trick,” he explains. “It’s showing up every single day.”
WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS CONVERSION
Derek’s journey through the marketing landscape has given him unique insights into the balance between technical SEO and creative marketing. His experience with a previous agency that focused heavily on social media, content, and branding taught him the art of capturing attention, while his current focus at Centerlock Media emphasizes the technical elements that drive actual results.
“The last agency I helped build was very creative, heavy on social media, content, and branding, and that really taught me how to capture attention,” Derek recalls. “These days, I focus more on the technical side of SEO: rankings, citations, optimization, the things that actually move the needle in search.”
This dual expertise allows him to understand both sides of the marketing equation. His work managing Google PPC accounts requires sharp copywriting skills, compelling angles, and attention-grabbing hooks, while his SEO focus demands technical precision and analytical thinking.
“For me, the balance is simple: technical SEO gets you found, creativity makes people choose you,” Derek summarizes.
MILITARY PRINCIPLES IN CIVILIAN SUCCESS
The transition from military to civilian life isn’t always seamless, but Derek has successfully translated core military principles into business advantages. One habit that has served him particularly well is the military’s approach to punctuality and preparation.
“There was a rule in the military where ’15 min early is on time,’ and I always abide by that; it helps capture any last-minute changes or data points you didn’t consider before a meeting,” Derek explains. “I also apply this principle to everyday life, you always want to give yourself a buffer.”
This principle of punctuality extends beyond scheduling. It represents a mindset of preparation, anticipation, and respect for others’ time that has become a differentiating factor in his client relationships.
INTEGRITY IN AN INDUSTRY OF SHORTCUTS
Derek’s commitment to integrity and transparency sets Centerlock Media apart in an industry often characterized by over-promising and under-delivering. His approach was shaped by observing common industry practices that prioritized sales over substance.
“I can’t speak for every agency out there, but I’ve coached plenty of marketing students, and many of them just wanted to learn how to sell, then outsource all the work overseas,” Derek reveals. “The problem is, they don’t tell their clients that, and they don’t actually understand marketing themselves.”
When Derek founded Centerlock Media, he identified two critical problems that needed fixing: prompt communication and transparency. Every client speaks directly with U.S.-based, trained marketers, ensuring that questions receive same-day responses and concerns are addressed immediately.
“Most clients aren’t marketers. Throwing a bunch of complicated data points at them is a way agencies hide results. I keep it simple: ‘you were ranking down here, now you’re ranking up here.’ Real progress, explained clearly,” Derek notes .
THE FATHER FACTOR: REDEFINING PRIORITIES
Fatherhood has introduced a new dimension to Derek’s decision-making process, forcing him to evaluate every business choice through a renewed perspective . The arrival of his daughter created a natural filter for prioritizing activities and building more efficient systems.
“Every decision in business runs through a new filter after having a kid: Is this the best use of my time if it takes me away from my daughter?” Derek reflects. “That forces me to build smarter systems, delegate more, and focus on high-value actions instead of getting stuck in the weeds.”
This shift has strengthened his leadership approach, reinforcing lessons learned in the military about leading by example. “In the military, you learn to lead by example because people follow what you do, not what you say. Same with kids. Same with my team. If I want reliability, focus, and discipline from them, it has to start with me.”
NAVIGATING THE ALGORITHM MAZE
Google’s constant algorithm updates present ongoing challenges for SEO professionals, but Derek’s approach remains characteristically straightforward. Rather than chasing every algorithmic change or trying to game the system, he focuses on consistent execution of proven strategies.
“It all comes back to consistency. Google is always running updates throughout the year and changing things. Google is a moving target; you just need to stay consistent, up to date with the changes, understand how they may impact your clients, and keep on truckin’. Pivot, adapt, repeat as necessary,” Derek explains.
This approach has allowed him to achieve remarkable results in highly competitive markets. Derek takes pride in ranking clients in challenging cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Dallas, and Houston, where the landscape is highly competitive and organic positioning is earned through demonstrated authority and relevance.
“The beauty of the organic map pack rankings is that you can’t pay your way to the top. If you want one of the top 3 organic positions, you need to check off the boxes that Google requires to prove authority and stay relevant,” he notes.
STANDING OUT IN A SATURATED MARKET
In a digital marketing space crowded with agencies making bold promises, Centerlock Media’s differentiation strategy is elegantly simple: personal involvement and relationship building. While many agencies scale by creating distance between owners and clients, Derek maintains direct relationships with every client.
“Every client I have speaks to me and has a close relationship with me, the owner. That gives them peace of mind,” Derek explains. “Sure, we have client success managers, but I’m still involved with my clients, and I will always continue to be involved, even as we scale up.”
This hands-on approach contradicts conventional scaling wisdom but reflects Derek’s commitment to quality over quantity. It ensures that the discipline, integrity, and results-focused approach that define his personal brand remain consistent across all client relationships.
GUIDANCE FOR FELLOW VETERANS
Derek’s advice to veterans considering entrepreneurship reflects his pragmatic approach to business building. Rather than advocating for elaborate business plans or extensive market research, he emphasizes learning through action and proving value before seeking payment.
“I’d say find an agency owner to shadow and learn from, then take what you pick up and double down on one area where you excel, whether that’s SEO, Google PPC, or Meta ads. Prove it works. Get your first clients by offering results for free if you have to, then lock in contracts once you’ve demonstrated value,” Derek advises.
His biggest caution centers on the paralysis that comes from over-planning. “The biggest trap is overthinking. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ plan. Just execute, learn fast, and keep moving.”
BUILDING FOR THE LONG TERM
Derek’s vision for Centerlock Media’s future reflects his value -driven approach to business building. Rather than chasing typical entrepreneurial metrics like rapid expansion or acquisition targets, his focus remains on creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.
“Simple: build the most skilled and happiest team in the game,” Derek states when asked about his future goals. “I didn’t start this to chase vanity metrics or be another fly-by-night ‘agency.’ I founded Centerlock to control my time and income, build systems that don’t burn people out, and deliver results clients can actually feel in their business.”
This philosophy represents a mature approach to entrepreneurship that prioritizes sustainable growth over explosive scaling. It reflects Derek’s understanding that true success comes from building something lasting rather than something flashy.
PRECISION, INTEGRITY, RESULTS: THE FOUNDATION OF CENTERLOCK MEDIA
Derek Reardon represents a new breed of entrepreneur. He brings military precision to civilian markets without sacrificing creativity or innovation. His journey from U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant to marketer and entrepreneur demonstrates that the most valuable competitive advantages often come from character traits molded by moments that test resolve
Rather than relying on disruptive techniques, his approach to SEO and digital marketing challenges the status quo with a bold yet simple principle: follow through and actually deliver what is promised. In a field often clouded by jargon and complexity, Derek’s focus on clarity and outcomes sets him apart.
The success of Centerlock Media proves that in a world of shortcuts and hype, the fundamentals of discipline, integrity, and consistency remain the most powerful tools for building lasting impact . Derek’s story serves as both inspiration and roadmap for anyone seeking to build a business that creates real value in an increasingly noisy marketplace.
As Google algorithms continue evolving and digital marketing becomes increasingly sophisticated, Derek’s approach suggests that the most sustainable approach may be the simplest: show up every day, deliver what you promise, and put client results above everything else. It’s a philosophy born in military service, refined in entrepreneurial trenches, and proven in the most competitive digital markets.
