Derek Snook

Derek Snook is an author and social entrepreneur based in Charleston/New York.

After graduating with a BA from an elite school in 2009, Snook chose to move into a homeless shelter in the hope of finding out what might be needed to live a life of purpose. Against the advice of concerned friends and family members, Snook remained there for a full year. Out of this experience he founded an employment agency offering real incentives and stability to homeless job-seekers— Charleston-based IES Labor Services.

During his period of voluntary homelessness, Snook kept a journal to record the fascinating stories, conversations, and interactions that formed the core of his life in the shelter. After years of pouring over these notes and supplementing them with experience as a business leader, Snook published his first book, "The Definition of Success: What Living Homeless Can Teach You" in 2018.

Here's what influencers are saying about it:

We need more entrepreneurs engaging the most difficult challenges our society faces today with these kinds of innovative businesses and approaches.--Brad D. Smith, Chairman and CEO, Intuit

It's critical that Christianity discovers ways to make the Gospel practical in a culture that changes so rapidly it's impossible to keep up. This book does just that, telling a story that is both inspiring yet relatable so that anyone--regardless of belief system--can say, 'wow, I'm not sure if I believe in Jesus, but there's something to this, and we need more of it.--Richard Rohr, O.F.M.

The Definition of Success thoughtfully examines areas of life that most of us leave unchallenged while pointing to a higher ideal that goes far beyond that of any political party. The truth of Jesus for Christians points to a way and a life, but this book helps give that message a universal meaning.--Mike McCurry, Press Secretary for President Clinton

This book says that our lives are about more than the way we conventionally define success or failure. When we look, we can find value in every story.--Mark Sanford, U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district