We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Pinkney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mark thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I definitely wish I started Mark’d By Mecca sooner ! I actually waited 5 years before actually getting my LLC and launching my website. But here is a little backstory- In 2012 I enrolled at the Illustrious Clark Atlanta University and started dancing, modeling, directing, styling, etc. I became the president of the leading fashion organization; E2S. I founded the first modeling troupe at CAU; EPIC Modeling Troupe. I directed 3 CAU homecoming fashion shows and I used every designer I could find in ATL. If I had the knowledge I have now, I would’ve have not only started Mecca during my junior year of college, I would have also changed my major from Psychology to fashion design.

I graduated from CAU In 2017, and began working as a college admissions advisor until creating my fashion brand , Markd By Mecca in 2020

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I originally entered the fashion industry through college. I directed and produced multiple fashion shows at Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spellman College. I enjoyed curating the fashion scene on campus and inspiring others to do more with their style. Furthermore, I worked hard to make sure that my fashion shows were intricate and detailed but the biggest issue was dealing with designers. I hated the chore of communicating with designers who often believed the show should be centered around their clothing line(s). However, the show was an urban modeling fashion show for homecoming… Not NYFW. Nonetheless, here I am now; a designer who is planning his biggest fashion show ever!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Fostering brand loyalty and commitment is very important in this intense social media era. I tend to focus on just being the change I wish to see in the world. I always wished that brands would individualize their packages and form of communication for loyal customers. In high school, I had every Armani Exchange shirt you could buy, but I NEVER received anything to show their appreciation for the continued commitment. I also worked their for about 3 months before leaving for college… still nothing. Long story short, MECCA packages are individualized for each customer and I plan to keep it that way. I often include hand written thank you cards and my social media handles for future communication.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I once believed that there was a rubric or guide line of how I was going to make my dreams become reality… lesson learned. After graduating from CAU and moving back home to Maryland. I realized that things were not as easy as they seemed in school. I continuously got back up after falling but I really needed my wins to outweigh my losses. I moved back to Atlanta with a plan to succeed but this time I knew that every plan has a little “wiggle room”. It is the creative who must then figure out how to wiggle their way to the top.

Contact Info:

• Website: markdbymecca.co
• Instagram: markdbymecca & theshadehomme
• Facebook: markdbymecca
• Twitter: markdbymecca
• Other: linktr.ee/markdbymecca/

Image Credits
Model @reekothemodel Model @brittni.lajai Brand Ambassador & Model @joey.hartella