We recently connected with Marcus Washington and have shared our conversation below.
Marcus , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
MOTIV8 U was birthed from an idea of wanting to help students successfully transition to adulthood. Eight years ago I began coaching football and teaching seniors at Chavez High School in Southeast Houston. I taught some amazing students at this low socioeconomic school and it bothered me whenever I would see my students a year after graduating and they were no longer pursuing their dreams and goals. I reached my breaking point when I encountered a former student that was less than a year removed from high school and they were struggling physically, mentally and emotionally. It was at that point I decided to use my life experiences to start an organization that was dedicated to teaching, coaching, mentoring and developing students.
I felt this organization could be impactful by sharing what I used to excel as a three sport high school athlete that graduated with a 3.4 GPA and earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at Mississippi State. I believe being transparent in sharing my college journey as a parent student athlete allows students to see that everyone encounters adversity and that it won’t be easy but you can overcome any situation.
I got excited about this idea as I began my own personal development journey as an adult and saw how impactful it was for me. I knew if I could find a way to package personal development in a student friendly form that students would be interested in what it takes to make their dreams become a reality. I did not want to be someone that just got in front of a microphone and just deliver motivation. I wanted to inspire students by giving them practical structures, systems, tools and resources so that they felt empowered and truly believe they can accomplish any goal they set.
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
I am a loving father to my beautiful wife Iesha and we have three amazing children, Cameron 15, Genevieve 12 and Ryleigh 5. I am entering my 9th year in education as a Master Teacher, football and girls basketball coach. Last year I was awarded Teacher of the Year and Assistant Coach of the Year on my campus of Thurgood Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas.
I got into student development from a passion of wanting to continue to help students outside of the classroom and athletes off the field and court. During my time in education I began to notice that students wanted to be successful but just did not know how and that they often lacked the necessary support system to navigate adverse situations.
I am the author of Plate Work: The Student Athlete Workout of the Day, Success Is My Only Option: The Official Handbook for the Modern Student and provide The Student Success System student development workshops. These products and services are meant to help student improve their academic performance, increase their productivity, and provide structures and systems to help students successfully transition to adulthood. I think my experience as a current high school Master Teacher and championship coach separates me from others as I have designed MOTIV8 U to meet the needs of the modern student.
I am most proud of hearing my students success stories from using MOTIV8 U tools and systems. MOTIV8 U was created to take students from where they are to wherever they want to go by guiding them to answer three critical questions. Who are you? Are you reaching your full potential? Where are you going? By answering these the questions students begin the journey to accomplishing their goals and begin to understand the development it will take to accomplish them.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to learn to not be so heavily reliant on social media and website/landing page for my sales. The online launch of my book that I worked tirelessly on was average at best but I found when I went out and talked to people about my book if they had $20 it was likely a sale. The lesson was to get from behind the computer and go sell my book.
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I first began MOTIV8 U I was not a frequent social media user but my mentor challenged me engage more on social media. I started on Instagram and sought out to build an audience by providing post that offered value to students. I began to post content that not only inspired students and students athletes but practical advice that they could apply today and see results. I posted for 76 straights days and engaged with my followers and organically grew 1,500 student followers. Consistency was the key. Gaining that many followers by providing original content gave me the confidence to continue to grow MOTIV8 U.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.motiv8umovement.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotiv8u/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Motiv8UMovement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-washington-bbba4253/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MOTIV8UMOVEMENT
- Youtube: Motiv8umovement