The K-Factor podcast is produced monthly by CHYE – Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs in partnership with community news website COLlive.com.
The K-Factor offers business wisdom that can help future business leaders to make the “Keli” (the Hebrew word for vessel) so they can grow their business aspirations.
Season 2 Episode #2: Brian Marks “Building a business Three Times!”
Brian K Marks never liked the term “industry standard.” Instead, he took a different path leading to a life-long entrepreneurial record of achievement – innovating products and brand experiences that resonated with consumers. At 25, Brian started African Pride – a maker of ethnic hair and skin products. He tapped into the Afrocentric movement at the time, creating innovative “street level” merchandising and advertising sampling programs that grew the business from zero to over $35MM in annual sales. He later sold the company to Revlon for over $40MM, staying on as President of Revlon ethnic products worldwide – overseeing the A.P. Product brands and Revlon’s ethnic product portfolio.
When his Revlon non-compete expired, Brian started a new company, Dr. Miracles. The company grew its success with the new hair care products. In 4 years, the company had annual sales of $35MM with a 22% EBITDA. Brian sold a majority share in Dr. Miracles to a premiere private equity company, continuing as CEO.
After the sale of Dr. Miracles, Marks took time off from work. He became curious about his Jewish heritage and began studying Kabbalah, which brought him to Israel for the first time.
It was on this trip to Israel that something magical happened, and Brian was compelled to launch “My Israel’s Miracle”. He says, “Traveling through Israel, an amazing connection to something ancient, spiritual, and energizing came over me. I wondered if haircare secrets were lurking beneath the energy and emotion I was feeling. After intensive research, I discovered the answer was yes, there were ingredients that have been used for thousands of years. I combined these ingredients and created My Israel’s Miracle, which represents my new love and respect for the wonders of Israel. I am proud to highlight the amazing and positive things found throughout Israel.”
In this interview:
* How to go into a partnership
* Why borrow from a bank
* The power of the trademark
* How to sell your company
* Corporate America vs Entrepreneurship
* How to survive success
* Starting over again in the Amazon Age
* My Israel’s Miracle the first company ever to use “Israel” in the prefix/suffix of a brand
* Amazon vs Retail
To recommend someone for an interview and to reach Rabbi Werde, email Rabbiw@chye.info
