Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark-Anthony Marshall.
Mark-Anthony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Much of my life, as a youth, was unstable. My sister and I stayed with our grandparents while our mother went through basic training in the Army. Shortly after, we reunited with our mother and was at her side through her entire Army career. Year after year we moved and switched schools, just imagine the number of times I’ve heard, “So you’re the new kid?” On top of having to make new friends, getting used to different cities, my mother’s frustration over family squabbles I also had to deal with many deaths and incarcerated family members. One death I will always remember is my cousin, who died the day I opened my acceptance letter to college.
As I grew older I realized, I am a product of my environment. It includes my family, living situations, education and my choices in friends. The realization I had at the age of 15 was, we’re all a product of something but it doesn’t have to define who we are. I have the power to influence my situation and change my outcomes. That very same year, I asked my mother to transfer me from Proviso East to York High School. It was the best decision on the path to defining my life. 2 years later I graduated and was accepted into The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago.
My time spent there included being an RA, Director of Ambassadors, Model, Adidas shoe customizer all while working several different jobs. Before completing my degree, I pivoted to the Marine Corps where I served 4 years and one tour in Afghanistan. It’s where I heard the statement, “You’re the complete Marine.” The origin stemmed from all of my titles. I was a radio operator, SMART-T Operator, SWAN Operator, Machine Gunner, MCMAP Instructor and S-6 Chief. Sprinkled in there was my new-found knowledge of data and abilities to run wire (wire dog).
Returning to my life as a civilian was a bumpy one. I had surgeries to fix physical problems from the Marine Crops and financial issues to address. Surprisingly enough, SallieMae through my loans into collections while I was in Afghanistan, which prevented anyone from renting to me. I was homeless due to all of that for almost a year. Living out my car was my option if I wanted to finish school. One day close to graduation, a professor by the name of Chuck Gniech passed my name to Jim Dygas who gave me my first internship and started me on a path to working at some of the largest Advertising agencies including Leo Burnett.
I understand this was a long-winded answer but it’s to give complete transparency as to why and how I started this subscription-based advertising agency for start-ups and small businesses called BRICKS Creative Group. I was homeless, so I know what it means to struggle and need a little help just like a start-up. My experience in adapting and overcoming hardship through strategy started as a child and my experience as an advertising creative problem solver allows me to provide a professional perspective while developing such a platform. I feel solving problems, on a global scale, is my purpose and this is the first step towards accepting it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been anything other than smooth. In all honesty, I feel people on a massive scale, see entrepreneurship as this glorious position to be in. A lifestyle of nice cars and do whatever you want. Yes, that’s part of it but more of a later result of years upon years of hard work, sleepless nights, eviction notices, bad credit and when’s my next meal coming type of thoughts.
The struggles I’ve faced were as previously mentioned but now, primarily center around the development and funding for scale and further development of our platform. Luckily enough, we had no problems with consumers being interested and paying for our services even in the idea phase. We had what’s considered, rapid growth. This was especially exciting given the lack of an existing working prototype. With all of the positive responses, funding is still the main struggle. Some Venture Capitalists wanted to change our platform, where others were interested but explained we’re too new in our investment stage.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. We have interested angel investors and several meetings still left to have in this year.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We’re the world’ premier subscription based creative agency providing small businesses and start-ups with affordable, topnotch brand and creative services. We specialize in consumer engagement and retention for start-ups, small businesses and established enterprise businesses worldwide.
Our official launch has not happened yet but once it does we’d like to be known as the agency that builds better businesses. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished to-date. Some of our users on the platform have made tremendous returns on their initiatives. One made $50,000 in a week and six days with our social media strategy. That’s after they’ve already been advertising for 2 months with little results.
The difference between us and other platforms is we’re not a one-off solution provider. We do more than provide a logo or a flyer. Not to mention, our process involves an internal communication solution, which manages the user’s expectation and keeps track of quality control of the services being provided. The rest were not giving away as it’s our secret sauce, at least not yet.
What were you like growing up?
Like just about any child, growing up I was a little bit of everything.
Attempting to define myself I wore braids, had curls, waves to a box haircut. I played every sport from football, wrestling to tennis and also footwork at every house party, yes, I was that kid. I wanted to do everything and it became a habit to learn as much as possible about everything I could. I had a lot of questions growing up and it sometimes got me in trouble with my teachers and my mother. Some felt I acted a little too mature for my age. I wanted to grow up, “Ain’t nobody got time for that.” Ha. But seriously, today my curiosity is even stronger and has served me well through my problem-solving process.
Pricing:
- BRIGHTER BUSINESS $250 a month Think better with these basic offerings needed for every start-up and small business.
- BRICKS BUILDER $1050 a month Build a better business with advertising agency professionals.
- BRICKS BOOSTER $1500 a month Boost all of your initiatives using the best advertising agency strategies and creative.
Contact Info:
- Address: 222 W. Merchandise Mart
1871 12th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60654 - Website: www.brickscg.com
- Phone: 312 242 3344
- Email: info@brickscg.com
- Instagram: @brickscg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BRICKSCG/about/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/brickscg
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/brickscg/
Image Credit:
1871
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