We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Markee Carter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Markee below.

Hi Markee, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I wish I could have started my business venture sooner if I had the right tools and education to start my journey. When I graduated high school in 2006 my first business venture was to open a laundromat, but I didn’t have the tools and basics to execute my vision. So I work in the retail and security job fields, while attending college to obtain a degree and live the American dream.

After college and working in my career field I just wasn’t satisfied mentally. I was working for the state of Tennessee and I applied for a promotion and I was overqualified for the position. I still applied to try and move up, but I wasn’t accepted for the position. At that moment, that’s when I put into motion of starting a clothing company and slowly worked on my craft and style. Then I taught myself business management and marketing by reading variety of different entrepreneurs articles and YouTube videos.

What made me start a clothing company was I went to a store looking for clothes to wear and seen nothing that I liked. So, I started designing things on my own. I then shown a handful of people to see if they liked what I have designed or if they didn’t like it. I would’ve keep it as personal wear. When the good reaction I got from my peers, that gave me the boost and encouragement to go in head first to start the company and see what happens.

My clothing company became official August 2021. I had been working on the idea since 2019 after the late great Nipsey Hussle passed away. Nipsey had stated in one of his interviews how he got into the business world was selling T-shirts. That gave me the encouragement to try it out and see where it goes. I was very stable with my job I had with the state of Tennessee, but wanted to venture more into my craft, than working my profession.

I am glad that I started later than sooner because even though I have work a lot of jobs in my lifespan. If I haven’t work the variety of jobs I had. I wouldn’t had been able to learn the skills of how to treat people and learn business management. If I would’ve started my company sooner, I believe I would’ve failed multiple times and it would have been hard for me to pick myself up and be able to do it again.

Looking at how my life turned out so far I’m glad I started my company the way I did. As for the timeframe it all came together organically and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Markee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an entrepreneur that entered into the clothing industry in 2021. I design T-shirts, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, and do custom work if asked. When I work with a customer, I always ask them what is it that they’re looking to have custom and I deliver based on their request. Of course I’ll give suggestions to see if it’s something they’ll consider reason being we’re both creating art.

So far the problems I have occurred with some customers is not delivering in a timely fashion for their convenience. Which I take full responsibility, but nobody is perfect by all means. Plus it’s all part of the process.

I believe what sets me apart from others is the route that I’m going is throwback. What I mean by throwback is, I’m doing it word-of-mouth, but also utilizing social media/ internet to be known worldwide. I want to grow my company slow reason being I have seen company grow quick and fail miserably and be able to recover. Which is how the old saying, goes slow and steady, always wins the race.

My most proud moment was when people seen my social media and give me great accolades. Also, my mom wanting to help me with selling products. My family always encouraging me to keep going. Plus I want to help the youth/younger relatives that you can work a regular 9 to 5 and also be entrepreneur while still accomplishing your dreams.

My brand “We Legit” is based on my lifestyle because I tried to do everything the right way and it is not always easy, but it’s better to be Legit than anything else.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started my social media presence very randomly. I followed a guidelines on multiple platforms on YouTube. First I seen that my company name didn’t have a hashtag, so I established it as mine. Second, I build on top of the friends I have on all social media platforms. Third I take pictures and videos in my merchandise and show them on multiple platforms using my current hashtag #welegitclothing.

Then I had a friend from high school, which was my first customer. He purchased a shirt and a hat and gave a review. After that, my brand slowly started growing. From there, multiple relatives, friends, and customers purchase my merchandise and I was so proud and happy on my success.

Now my business is growing slowly but surely. At times I get direct messages from multiple people on how to build a presence on social media and also assist with sharing multiple platforms and help build their brand. The advice I have for anybody on building a social media presences. It’s all about finding the right audience and staying consistent.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I learned when starting a business is be very mindful who you tell and how you go about presenting to others without having paperwork. Also, if it involves equipment, make sure you buy it yourself and don’t let others do it for you, reason being if anything happens like for instant a misunderstanding between you and that individual. That individual can feel not wanted and can take the equipment they purchased for you back out of spike and have you back at square one.
I learned to do everything on my own. Accept all criticism, good or bad and always stay humble. At any moment you can be up and you can be down as long as you keep your vision in front of you the motivation will always keep you going further and further.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.welegitclothing.com
• Instagram: Welegitlbc16
• Facebook: We Legit Clothing
• Linkedin: https://ozellbrand.com/
• Youtube: We Legit 16
• Other: TikTok: Welegit16

Image Credits

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