Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaryMak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
MaryMak, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
I am still growing, I have a lot to still learn and a lot of room to grow. I am just laying down a foundation and trying to see what works for me and what doesn’t.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I am MaryMak! I am a celebrity vlogger, I have my own radio station, I’m a content creator, I sell life insurance and I am a photographer. My photo studio is in Greenville sc. My YouTube is XoMaryMak. I started off as a mom brand and added on entertainment. XoMaryHelen is the name of my mom brand. With XoMaryHelen my daughter (Noah) and I have worked with companies like Target, The Dollar Store, Disney, LEGO etc. We create content and advertise for companies. We also vlog our life together! Alone side XoMaryHelen I have an entertainment outlet, XoMaryMak where I do vlogs, photography, and interviews. I have worked with Rick Ross, Plies, Big Yavo, Jada Kiss, Etc. I vlog anything from behind the scenes (bts) from video shoots, studio sessions, parties, concerts, interviews, etc. I vlog djs too. Pretty much anything people want recorded.
Something that sets me part is that I am one of the first vlogger in my area to vlog entertainment. I am creating my own lane and making a demand for myself.
I am most proud of the network I have built. It is not what you know but who you know. You get further with a network of people working together for one cause. Your net worth is your currency. Surrounding myself with people to are genuine and hard working has helped me to get to the position I am in today.
One thing I would like my followers to take away from my brand is positivity, and to always celebrate the people that are around you. My brand is a media outlet that only celebrates fun, accomplishments, good news and positivity. I am a super bubbly person and love to have fun. I always make sure that the people that are around me feel loved and appreciated, and that I am proud of them. I want my brands to be a reflection of me as a person.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I have been a photographer for about 8 years, I am best in the studio or with set poses. I wanted to start taking photos in the club. I was going to clubs and I quickly found that action photos were not for me. I would come home crying, literally because the photos were not coming out the way I was use to them in the studio. In the club the lighting is different, the artist moves around a lot it’s just harder. From that experience I learned that photos in the club was not for me. I was best at vlogging in the club. Getting live performances is my thing. Vlogging is my lane and it works out great for me. Once you find your lane stick to it. Found ways to better your craft and build on what works for you. That’s what I am doing to be my best self and build my brands.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to learn about the entertainment business is that it is completely different then the way it looks on the outside. Meaning it looks fun and like a consistent party all the time. People tell me all the time “your life looks like so much fun! You get to party all the time.” But that is far from the case. It is more work than a 9-5. The amount of time and effort put in behind the scenes is way greater than the highlight you see on instagram. I tell people this life is not for the weak. Sometime I am not walking in the door until 7am and I can’t even sleep then because I have to get up and get my daughter ready for school. What people see on the outside is a small reward for all the work put in on the backend. When rappers say I have not ready slept in 3 day they mean it. My life is a lot of long hours, driving, editing and networking.
Contact Info:
- Website: XoMaryHelen.com
- Instagram: Xomarymak
- Facebook: XoStudio
- Twitter: Xomarymak
- Youtube: Xomarymak
- Other: Podcast- https://anchor.fm/marymak/episodes/What-Men-Want-e1jv7t0