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

Markeist , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I was working for a roofing and restoration company where I’d learned to inspect roofs for storm damage and the art of getting leads, handling insurance claims, and managing customer relations from phase 1 through completion. It wasn’t long before I had began to speak my own lingo while performing certain tasks. Social media was the place I would share my thoughts and update viewers of my jobs. Visually reflecting on a day’s work and the content behind there in brought me to the realization that I got my own little thing happening. In the back of my mind, I’ve analyzed the business practices and have truly studied the ethics held by this current company_ some of which I liked and some I did not like. I believed that the overall business was subpar. Soooo… will I continue to develop my sales and marketing creations for this company forever? My heart already knew the answer to this question: No. Not like an aggressive no but more so a really chill ‘no’. It only made sense for me to start preparing to branch off onwards to completely cutting ties in hopes of re-presenting myself AS MYSELF: SKYLIFE SOLUTIONS INC. From 2016 to 2018 I worked tirelessly for 2 roofing companies and even started with 3rd name (same guys in leadership) so by the time i was under a third name, I knew I could go forward with my own identity. God being my director and guide, only goodness and mercy were to follow me as I stepped out on faith. No one in my family had taught me the ropes of entrepreneurship because they all had jobs working for various known organizations. But I have always remembered my grandfather telling me, “Markeist, get your own. When you get your own you don’t have to worry about nobody coming to take it from you because it’s yours. If you’re borrowing someone else’s stuff, when they get ready for it they will want to take it back.” I used this as my fire starter. My old boss helped me register my business with the Secretary of State in GA and I was gone with the wind. Those guys eventually stopped checking on me day to day. Some of my checks still have not been paid to this day. It wasn’t long before I truly understood how business works through their lens. Honestly, it didn’t matter much. It just taught me valuable lessons. One being, “don’t put your trust in man. They will only love you so much then you’re left reaching for love/loyalty that isn’t there.” Two being, “ppl are people with different interests on different days. You cannot be upset humans for being themselves. Embrace the differences and be kind to all people regardless.” Third and certainly not least, “Business has to be worked. It will only produce what you sow into it.” I believed and still believe God to be a multiplier, however, we must do the work so that He can have something to bless…. So that he can truly bless the workings of our hands. You will soon learn yourself by studying yourself, your heart, your motives, and your intentions. Being my own boss has continued to show me ME above all other things learned. I am enjoying this fruit though. Regardless of how large or little the yield, it is mine, and I am grateful for growth. #GodIsGrowth #SKYLIFE

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 am a country boy by nature. Born in a very rural town in GA where the only entertainment was “going outside”. Some days I’d have other kids to play with and many days it was just me figuring something up. I enjoy listening to the sounds of nature and staring at the art in the sky and on the grounds. My business is called “SKYLIFE” partially for my interests in sky views. Because I reconstruct roofs for a living, I literally spend most of my days on a roof, hence the name SKYLIFE. I love every detail or construction from the drive of a screw to the fragility of nails and even the shavings off saw dust. I love it all! The sweat, the real blood shed, and the tears when jobs pan out good and/or not so good.
I am most proud of my careful eye. God blessed me to be a neat and calculated individual. It causes me to move slow and intentionally. I know what I am looking to accomplish in every motion, movement, and configuration. I believe more than anything my greatest skill in inspecting my work. My mother raised my siblings and me to be thorough in our works. She would not allow us to move into another space unless she herself had examined our work and given her approval. I picked that trait up a longggg time ago.
This business is not something that I worship. I love it and I enjoy my learning curves as well as all it affords me and my family, however, I use it as part of my worship to God. He has given me the responsibility to steward this business, so, I must do it well.
I’d like to think of SKYLIFE as a family-based business. My siblings have all worked with me in some way over the last 6 years and now my mother works full-time with me. My daddy is disabled but he works as often as his body allows him. I am motivated by their input. It truly humbles me even the more. Between God being my guide and my family being my physical help, I am kept accountable. I recently married my Queen now everything is critical and thought out. No time is wasted time. No days are wasted days. No jobs are insignificant. Everyone is important. Every lesson is crucial! Every blessing is counted! My life didn’t began with this story, but I do believe this story began when I embraced my new life in Jesus Christ. It’s very strange, yet, beautiful how God’s plan unfolds. Who ever he sends me to next are simply a part of His great reveal to me. #GottaFamilyToFeed #GottaGodToPlease #SKYLIFE

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I remember in 2016 when I first started roofing, I had gotten some really good sales going in the Fall season. I had a serious conversation with my mother and she shared her income tax documents with me. I graduated 2015 with my BBA from Georgia State University and I had really excelled in Finance courses. Reviewing my mother’s tax returns didn’t require much other than a middle school curriculum to see that she earned approximately $12K annually. At that time, I was doing roofing sales and providing piano services for church. Church alone paid me $13K annually, so the immediate comparison made my heart sank! I asked myself “how in the world is my mother making it with three children, a newborn grandson, and herself? Fast forward, I will never forget that feeling. It’s like a negative force turned positive!! I am not ashamed of a poverish past. I didn’t feel like poverty as an adolescent, in fact it felt like we were “Dem Ones”!! My point is I had since learned financial responsibility and had gone a few years handling my own bills. I couldn’t swallow that moment discovering my Mother’s wages. I think about it seldomly.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I taught myself to play piano at age 10. By age 12 I was playing for churches and earning a little money. This had been my only income through age 23 where I picked up part time job at GSU’s Scholarship Resource center. Music was still my main thing. I could make a normal person’s week’s pay in a matter of hours. This was good until I graduated college and had to split an apartment expense plus utilities. I realized the money I was making was enough to cover me if I ever had to do life alone. I had some months that were very close calls, reaching out for extensions or borrowing a little bit here and there. Those promise-2-pay situations were stressful. I knew I needed a real 9-5 so I tried it. My very first job opportunity turned out to be a scam. I was establishing a good repor with my bank and now I owed them $2,900. Mind blown and frustrated, I made other attempts to find work. I knew I wanted to use my degree to put me in a good spot. I never received anything besides “We have chosen someone else. We will consider you in the future if needed.” Soon after, I was facing the end of a lease agreement and I had to do something fast.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Skylifesolutions_inc