Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Burgess.
Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Starting my company was not easy at all. Like most entrepreneurs, I started off with just a dream of something that I thought would be cool. I was living in a three-bedroom apartment in Rocky Mount, NC with my mom and sister while going to college and working a full-time job. A lot of the time it was hard to “Find Time” to invest, so I had a lot of sleepless nights just to come up with ideas. There was another clothing company that I had been ordering from for a couple of years. As I ordered from them, I watched EVERYTHING they did from social media presence to how they shipped and packaged orders. They taught me everything without even knowing! I eventually taught myself how to screen print and starting printing on the floor in my room.
At that moment, I thought the company would take off. I was completely wrong. ideas started to become more complex and I just wasn’t as good at printing as my ideas were so I began to start ordering the merch from other companies which meant I wouldn’t make as much profit. That continued for a year until I moved to Georgia. I began to try screen printing myself more until I knew exactly what I was doing. I grew in support since I’ve been here and I’ve even been able to add a team of consistent models, a phenomenal photographer and a social media manager! Three years in and to have this much support from not only my team but from the community is one of the things that continues to push me forward with Godspeed!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I’ve moved four times since the company has started which has had to force a delay on making/designing merch. I’ve also ruined hundreds of dollars worth of apparel from trial and error of the screen printing process which is never a good thing. one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is comparison. It’s hard to see other companies in the position that you want to be in and not wonder why you aren’t there yet! But patience is the key and I know our time will come.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Godspeed Merch?
Godspeed is not the average Christian clothing company. It’s not a company that’s just looking to sell sell sell. We focus more on the relationships with our supporters and the conversations that people have when wearing our merch. That’s what we’re all about! Conversations that lead to salvations! it’s the best feeling when someone reaches out to me and says, “I had a great conversation with a stranger today about your hoodie I was wearing!” That means more to me than the money they spent on the hoodie.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe luck (good or bad) has played any role in Godspeed! I know it’s all God! Anything Good that’s Happened within the company is a reminder to me that God is for it Godspeed and this is where he wants me. I look at the bad things that may happen as a trial and error or a lesson that I can use to help someone else that’s trying to do the same thing. This company has been blessed beyond measure! I can’t even say luck would be the smallest blessing. It’s all God!
Contact Info:
- Email: godspeedclothing1@gmail.com
- Website: www.godspeedmerch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godspeed_merch/
Image Credits:
Dillon Coke
