A native of Swansboro, North Carolina, former Staff Sergeant Derek Questell served in the Marine Corps from October 2005 to January 2016, deploying four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Derek also spearheaded special operations training between the United States and Indonesian Military forces.
After ending active duty, he relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia. There, Derek completed his undergraduate degree, met his fiancé, Lauren, and began his own custom clothing business, called Tailored Quest.
“After our combat operations in Afghanistan had ended, we transitioned to a new mission set requiring us to work in U.S. Embassies worldwide. Working in an embassy requires the wear of a suit and I realized we were not fully prepared as an organization to effectively execute this mission. It takes some time to get used to wearing and working in a suit, compared to body armor and a combat uniform. If the suit does not properly fit, it displays an unprofessional look; if it is tailored to the wearer, it portrays a confident and commanding presence. My brothers were not comfortable wearing suits and more than half did not own one; this was where I knew I could help. It took some time to strengthen this skill-set we had overlooked and I decided to make the switch from being a Marine Special Operator to an entrepreneur of men’s fashion.”
“For over a year now, it has been an honor to continue supporting our nation’s elite war-fighters prepare for not only new mission sets, but also life after the military. Waiting for life to happen is not a good position to place yourself. Stand ready to execute your mission, exude confidence in your personal appearance, and take on the world.”
