We were lucky to catch up with Mark Pryor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was giving God a chance. I know probably not the answer you were expecting. I’m sure you were thinking the times I dipped into cryptos, NFTS, GameStop/amc (shoutout to those who remember that) or even sports betting. However truly my biggest risk was taken a chance on God. Why? Well let me explain a bit about myself. Prepare yourself this is about to get deep. I grew up in a non religious household, but my parents wanting a better education for me sent me to a private catholic school. The way they pushed religion onto us just didn’t sit well with me. I was so rebellious that I would’ve believed that pigs could fly before I believed God existed. I spent so many years angry, bitter, hurt and lost. I will never forget I was 14 years old and I prayed for a sign that God was real. The weekend following that prayer my father took me to get new basketball shoes. It was pouring rain and we almost didn’t go. However we went to the mall and went into Finish Line. These guys come up to me around my age and only one speaks. The guy says “Hey I felt like God wanted me to tell you, you are on the right path. Keep doing what you’re doing God heard your prayers” then they prayed for me. My heart was so hardened at the time that I couldn’t understand or appreciate what God had just done for me. I took it as a coincidence and time went on. Fast forward I’m 19 and working at Five Guys. A girl comes up and starts talking about God and telling me how God wants me to go to church. I write it off as “she’s just a Jesus freak” (Lord forgive me I truly didn’t know what I was doing) and continued on with my life. This entire time I’m doubting God I am nothing short of a demon. I’m treating myself, others and the world like absolute garbage. I’m hurting people, I’m a monster beyond repair and I’m constantly struggling to even want to exist. It was as if a part of me knew what i was doing was inhumane, but I could not stop. I became manipulative, abusive, dangerous and so on and so forth. So how did i end up being who I am today? Well I had an ex girlfriend who I basically tortured mentally and emotionally. It felt like I was super glued to her. The one thing I thought would be impossible is for us to completely separate. I hated myself for all the things I had done to her. so one day in 2023 I got on my knees and I prayed. I said God please end this cycle. I’m hurting the only woman that’s ever loved me when I truly did not deserve any love in any capacity. I remember in that moment, something felt different. I was crying and I was upset however, a week later we broke up. I thought it would be how it always was we break up and then I’m manipulate my way back in. This was not the case, and it sent me into a spiral, and I tried to end my own life. The Bible says that the righteous fall and get back up meanwhile the wicked fall and it pretty much destroys them. So what does that say about me at that time? Soon after I realized God answered my prayer I had no choice, but to give God a chance. It took time and a lot of things happened. The temptations became heavier than ever before. I ended up falling short and I got arrested. I remember being so angry with myself angry with God angry with the world. Little did I know that arrest would change my entire life. It taught me who my true friends were. I had my first encounter with God. I got to see the true error of my ways. I will never forget I went to church and I was feeling convicted to go upfront to be prayed over. Two people prayed over me the first one was a woman who said very kind and powerful words. The second one was a man with a mustache. When the man came up, it felt like a bomb went off behind me. It was like a foot away from the sun, not hot, but the energy that would radiate from the sun. The man put his hand on my shoulder, and I instantly begin to weep. When this man began praying for me, I started boo-hoo crying. I truly believe I cried out my demons. Afterwards, I felt so light it was like I could fly away. After that, I felt on fire for God. I felt like I could tell a mountain to move and that mountain would move. Nothing was ever the same. I couldn’t get angry how I used to. Worldly things no longer had a hold on how they used to. I was truly set free. So why was this a risk? No one ever can truly make you understand how hard your walk with God will be. The spiritual warfare, the unaccepted feeling you get in this secular world. The pressure of fitting in when you are told to not conform to this world. The abstinence, the keep a sharp mind. The watching what you say, losing your friends, your family, losing your old self. However what I got in return is so much better. I have friends who love me and pray for me whether I ask them to or not. My discernment is strong, I’ve been given my spiritual gifts, I’ve been used by God to help others. I have everlasting peace. I look forward to every single day. Whereas last year I felt I had nothing to lose. I know I will always be okay. God protects me and shines throughout my life. At the beginning of 2024 I had to have an emergency tonsillectomy. I had two abscesses in my throat as well as strep and mono. I went to the ER three times and three days. The first time I was sent home with no medicine. The second time I was given some medicine sent on my way. I remember the nurse asked me if I was, but the truth was my body was trembling from pain. Monday morning around three in the morning I wake my parents up and I tell them I feel like I’m going to die. I begged my dad to take me to a different hospital. Luckily, God bless me with a good father. So my dad gets up and he drives me to the ER and Brunswick Ohio. They look in the back of my throat and their jaws are on the floor. The same Doctor who had just sent me home the night before Is at Brunswick Hospital. She has a look of guilt and remorse. I’m trying to talk and sounding like Kermit the frog. My jaw is stiff so I can’t open my mouth more than an inch. I am in so much pain. I’m surprised I did not faint. They rush me in an ambulance back to the same hospital that sent me home twice. However, they did not tell the ambulance that I had to abscesses that could rupture any minute. The ambulance did not have its lights on, and I am on my back struggling to breathe. They draw line on my neck just in case they have to put a tube in me so that I’ll be able to breathe. I’m wheezing and I’m praying to God to not take me yet. I say “God time is not up yet I’m not done yet” The next thing I know I’m at Southwest General in Middleburg Heights. I’m on the operating table and they’re telling me to count back from 10. Everything goes dark and I’m thinking please let me wake up. I wake up and my mom is holding my hand. I can feel her sadness and her fear. I spent three days in the ICU. I went from 280- 240 in 7 days because I could not eat. I had to take 3 weeks off of work. I’ve never been more scared or in more pain in my life. However, I’m still here. I am now in the Bible study with some of the best people I’ve ever met in my life. I have friends who love me and want to celebrate me and cherish every moment with me. I smile like it’s my first time feeling happiness and I love like it’s my first feeling love. My biggest risk became my biggest reward. I got baptized, I’ve helped others, I’ve been forgiven and finally forgiven myself. I started a clothing brand called All For His Glory. I lost a lot, but I gained so much more. The risk was worth it, is worth it and always will be worth it. Thank you God for everything You have done for me and for choosing me the LAST person I ever thought You would choose.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, I am Mark Pryor Jr. and I am from Cleveland Ohio but currently stay in Berea. I am 25 years old and the second youngest of 10 kids. Believer, business owner and creative. I got into my industry by meeting my business partner in a nightclub in the flats back towards the beginning of 2023. Sammi is a strong willed, brilliant, talented and creative woman who has completely changed my life. We both agreed to start a business while drunk (we have all been there) except we still own that business (Divine Karma Kollection which is a Cleveland based clothing brand) to this day! It’s crazy where life will take you. Now I also own a Christian clothing brand called All For His Glory which the full idea for that was given to me by God hallelujah. Both businesses are clothing brands. The Cleveland based brand sells shirts and hats as of right now. The Christian clothing brand sells hats, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, pants and more! What sets these businesses apart from others is the fact that it’s not about the money. We truly care about people and want to offer the best experience and form a true genuine connection with each of our customers. Each order from All For His Glory comes with a prayer card as well! I am most proud of all the people I’ve met from these events. Getting to meet so many people, hear so many stories, getting so much advice, love and more has been incredible. What I want everyone to know is I plan to design custom Christian clothing. Never seen before pieces that you can not find ANYWHERE else. I want everyone to know that I am so big on customer service. I will go the extra mile to make your order perfect for you. I also want you to know that God loves you and if you ever need anything even if I do not know you reach out to me. These are not just words these are my deep truths.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly start with your friends and family that always helps. Then start networking and go to social events. Share your business with those around you. Get a business card or a virtual one on the app HiHello! They can scan a QR code this can help a ton. Do ads and do some research to learn the exact market you are looking for. Do paid shoutouts and do ads! Do not be afraid to follow trends and don’t be afraid to make the trends. If you have an idea try it people love creativity as much as they love familiarity. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Some of the most iconic brands started with someone taking a chance on themselves.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A tough lesson I had to unlearn is mixing emotions with business. Business doesn’t have room for emotions. You can be emotional yes, but don’t let that affect your decisions. My business partner and I have been screwed over, ignored, played, and more by those closest to us. Those we trusted, those we loved those who supposed believed in us. At first this was very hard not to take personally. Now we have both agreed it is what it is. Business is business and now we know not to let people play with our minds or our time. My biggest piece of advice is to work with people that come with reviews. Meaning professionals or likeminded people that understand what it’s like to have a business. The backstory to this is simple people say one thing and do another a lot of the time. That’s their business we only have control over our own actions. I’m going to leave it at that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.allforhisglory.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allforhisglory.us/profilecard/?igsh=MWl2Nmw1Z2xqcnJxaQ==