Homegrown natives of Lakeland, Florida, Darrian and Dorcas met each other at Lakeland Christian school on entrance testing day and the rest is history. Together, they have more than 30 years of combined experience in the corporate arena, helping companies like Keiser University and Lakeland Regional Health achieve their goals of adding value to the customer experience through the lens of specific types of service, capital fundraising, strategic staffing, and partnerships.
Dorcas and Darrian are Principals at Essential Catering Solutions, Inc. currently rebranding into DARC Brands, Ltd., which encompasses their growing conglomerate. They lead the firm’s advisory services division which includes guiding the way to successful execution of each of their businesses. Their way of thinking about organizational structure affords them a lifestyle that supports their desire for family time and growing their business.
Through self-starting their American dream, they put into practice what they knew while learning the facets that they hadn’t yet mastered, and used this knowledge as stepping stones to better monetize the value they started to see in themselves to others. Their focus areas for ECS Inc. include capital campaign fundraising, partnerships to enhance guest experiences, succession strategy, food management, organizational infrastructure using digital technology and unrealized talent, transformational leadership with a focus on service to others, Senior and Gen Z hiring, and collaborative business to business execution of customer satisfaction. As CEO and Vice-President for the Corporation, they have led the catering and event management service to just under half million in gross revenue, even with a major shortfall during and after the pandemic.
Prior to starting Essential Catering Solutions, Inc, Dorcas worked in early childhood education and social work, grant writing and fundraising campaigns in upwards of a quarter to just under two million, emergency and disaster planning and mass event execution. Darrian worked in insurance underwriting, advanced career placement and head-hunting services, and currently owns an independent service firm, auditing small company books. They both have been stewards for multiple, multi-million-dollar businesses. Darrian earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Southeastern University and Dorcas earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Southern College and dual master’s degrees, in management leadership and human resources management from Webster University in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Dorcas and Darrian are raising three young men, Darrian Jr, Dorian, and Daylen, and the family lives in North Lakeland.