Throughout his adult life, there are two things of which Derrick Hamilton has always been certain and these have served as beacons when life was murky and the path to success clouded. “I always said my goal, when I got out of college, in six years I want to be here. I want to run my own business,” he said. “And, I always wanted something with kids, because I love kids.”

In the parking lot sat the culmination of Hamilton’s two goals, a massive pickup and custom trailer covered in video game graphics and emblazoned with the name Mobile Video Game Station. Six years in the making and with a year in the market come April, Hamilton, 30, talks about the custom rig’s features with the same wonder and excitement as the many young people the company has served in its short history.

Hamilton and his wife Jessica have quickly grown a statewide clientele by marketing directly to mothers planning birthday parties and also carved out a niche with area schools that bring students in as a reward for academic or classroom challenges. Their largest event, at Springhill Elementary School in Bryant, served 400 kids in two hours, a mark sure to be eclipsed with upcoming bookings at Springfest and Riverfest.