We recently connected with Mackenzie Morris and have shared our conversation below.
MacKenzie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?
I have been an entrepreneur for over 15 years and in that timeframe I have failed so many times. That is just a fact of life when you are an entrepreneur but what’s funny about it is that every time I fail I do not consider a failure but I consider a win because from that failure, I will automatically gain experience and knowledge and wisdom that will get me closer to my next big goal and help mold me to better becoming the highest version of myself.
One of my most prominent failures in my career was when I decided to get my company’s product onto Amazon. I wanted to tap into it’s global market and I just knew that my products would sell and I would impact millions of lives and make millions of dollars……that could not have been further from the truth. Not only was there a HUGE learning curve between selling for yourself and then selling on a platform like Amazon, but there were astronomical hidden costs associated with launching a private label brand that are not common knowledge. Let me break it down for you:
At first sight whenever you sign up to sell on Amazon it looks like it is a simple low price of $40 a month, but whenever you get deeper and start adding your products to Amazon it start asking for a GTIN number. This number is also known as a UPC (barcode). Being inexperienced and completely unaware of how anything like this works I assumed I could go to barcodegenerator.com and just get free barcodes but that was not the case. I learned that you actually have to register your company but the global trade commission and be a signed product barcode numbers so that when anyone in the world scan that barcode, they are able to track that product to your company. These barcodes were not cheap for about 1000 barcode it was $2500. And then after I got the barcodes for all of the inventory which I purchased, which was also another three or $4000 I learned that in order to launch a private label brand on Amazon you have to have a USPTO registered trademark. So then I started the process of working with an attorney and getting my company name and logo registered as an official trademark. This was a really cool and really exciting process but again it was really expensive and I was not prepared for the cost but I catch my eye on the bigger vision and became aware of the power of licensing and how I could use that power of my trademark in the future regardless of how this experience of selling on Amazon actually went.
After about another year and a half or two years, I finally got my register trademark and my products were able to be listed onto Amazon! I was so excited because I just knew I was going to sell so many units and make a lot of money but that was not the case at all I actually could not get any eyes on my products because I didn’t have the buying power to be able to compete with the already established loungewear brands that were on Amazon.
Overall the goal of selling my product on Amazon and reaching a global market was absolutely a failure – but in the process of trying to learn how to do all of that I gained a ton of knowledge and a massive amount of unique skills and experience that have now made me into the business owner than I am today.
This is only one of so many failure stories but it is one that I believe is so valuable because I did learn so much from that experience and I gained so much more confidence in myself as a business owner. I took the next big scary steps to try something new and to reach a bigger goal which expanded my expertise and has truly helped me be successful in the long run.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hey there! I’m MacKenzie Morris, and I’m all about helping visionary women take bold steps toward building businesses that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. My path to this work started early, with a fierce entrepreneurial spirit that had me selling everything from homemade banana chips to energy drinks and jewelry, then evolving through the corporate world of a Fortune 500 construction company, where I learned to stand my ground, be fearless, and think big. I knew I wanted more than just a career—I wanted to help people break free from the overwhelm and start making choices that aligned with their values, freedom, and true purpose.
Today, I run a business management and empowerment coaching company that’s part strategy, part empowerment, and 100% aligned with my belief that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of authenticity. I work with entrepreneurial women who are ready to disrupt their own limitations and scale their businesses with actionable, efficient systems that keep their values front and center. Whether it’s crafting a launch strategy, setting up digital products, or designing a sustainable, feel-good growth plan, my goal is to make their journey toward big dreams both achievable and fun.
What sets me apart? It’s the “Mackx Mindset”—a blend of playful execution, smart strategy, and a commitment to my clients’ personal and professional alignment. I bring my clients a hands-on, human approach that not only incorporates cutting-edge digital solutions like AI but keeps the personal touch that’s so often missing. I’m proud to provide a space where my clients feel supported, seen, and inspired to take bold actions toward the life and legacy they want.
I’m here for those who are tired of business as usual and ready for a new approach. So if you’re craving a business that aligns with who you are and want to experience growth that’s both strategic and soul-filled, let’s make it happen—because I believe that success should feel as amazing as it looks!
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
Staying connected with my clients and building loyalty is all about creating real relationships and being there every step of the way. I keep things personal, approachable, and aligned with their journey.
First, I start with a welcome email series that sets the tone and lets clients know what to expect. From there, I stay in touch with regular updates through monthly newsletters, where I share valuable insights, celebrate client wins, and offer tips that help them make impactful moves in their businesses. My goal is to keep the communication genuine and value-driven, so they feel supported without ever being overwhelmed.
I also host co-working and implementation calls, where clients can come together to tackle their goals and get real-time feedback. This isn’t just about business tasks—it’s about creating a space where they feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take action. These touchpoints not only help them feel connected to their vision but also reinforce that I’m right there with them, cheering them on as they grow.
On top of that, I love surprising clients with little extras. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a spontaneous check-in email, or a bonus resource tailored to what they’re working on, these small touches show them they’re more than just clients—they’re part of a community that values their success.
Overall, my approach to fostering brand loyalty is rooted in authentic, ongoing relationships. By being present, accessible, and genuinely invested in their journey, I’m building a connection that lasts far beyond any project or deliverable.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I’d say my reputation has been built on my willingness to show up as the real, unfiltered me. I don’t shy away from sharing the whole story—the good, the messy, the learning moments, and all the real-life stuff that comes with running a business. My clients know that I’m not just about polished strategies and perfect plans; I’m about authenticity, alignment, and making moves that truly fit who you are.
In a world that often shows only the highlight reel, I’ve found that people crave realness. So I let them see it all. I talk about my own challenges, the fears I had to face, and the risks I took even when I was scared. This transparency doesn’t just build trust; it resonates with people who want to build businesses without losing themselves in the process.
By showing up authentically, I’m able to connect with clients who value alignment and are looking for a partner who understands both the big dreams and the messy middle. That’s what helped me stand out and build my reputation—not just as a strategist, but as someone who’s been there, done that, and isn’t afraid to keep it real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mackenziemorris.co
- Instagram: @itsmackx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mackxmorris
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenziebierig/
Image Credits
Oakes Creative House
Paige Rains Photography