Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Stewart.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Mark Isaac Stewart Jr. I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. I’ve always had artistic and creative abilities since an early age. My career actually did not start out in interior design and remodeling. In 2007, I started my first business, Elite Designs by Mark, which consisted of graphic designs. It began during my time at Southern University A&M College. I was taking on simple projects such as party flyers and invitations for baby showers and graduations. Then, my skills begin to develop more into branding. A few years later, I added to the business and began doing photography as well. Mostly weddings and fashion/editorial style work. Around 2010, the business name changed to Elite by Mark Isaac, where I began to embrace my middle name as my “artist name,” and I went by Mark Isaac. Years later, in 2015, I moved to Houston, TX. My anticipation was that I would build my career in wedding photography, but unknowingly, it began my journey in interiors.
My very first project was an accent wall in my apartment. It was nothing special at all. A very common design I saw of abstract geometric shapes made from painters’ tape and different colors.
Some years later, I moved to Atlanta, GA, in 2017. In my very first apartment, I recreated that same wall design. I posted the pictures on social media during the process throughout that day, and my followers on IG and Facebook were in love with it. Of course, in the spirit of entrepreneurship, I took advantage of the momentum and attention and created my first ad with the picture to see if anyone else would want it done. Not even a few hours later, a friend of mine booked me to paint his newly purchased Air BNB and another follower wanted two rooms in his new apartment done.
So, for about a year, I was taking on simple projects while still working a full-time job in tech support and running my graphic design/photography business.
It wasn’t until summer of 2018 my career in interiors took a shift. There was one particular design that really started to get everyone’s attention. That was the “Versace Wall,” which consisted of a repeated pattern of a Greek key design. It was such a hit because people could not tell whether it was wallpaper or not after I was done. The first time I tried it in my own home, the design was a fail. I made an entirely different pattern, which still came out nice but not what I was expecting. Then a week later, I tried again in my living room, and the next thing I knew, I was doing it all around Atlanta! I remember a conversation with friends at brunch, one said “Your photography is great, but these walls are what will bring your name into Atlanta!” And that is what they did.
About a year later, interior projects were more frequent. I still had consistent business from the photography and graphic side, so I eventually stepped out on faith and left my full-time job in June 2018 to pursue my career full-time.
Now things get crazy 6 months later, because Covid came, honestly, as devastating as the pandemic was, for my career it was life changing. Once things got to the point people were allowed to be around each other, everyone needed my services. Demand was ridiculous! Everyone was remodeling their homes because they were stuck in place; everyone was starting businesses and needed logos and websites. So needless to say, it put a boost in my portfolio.
During the pandemic, I learned a new skill that changed my life. I begin exploring the art side of my creative and learned to work with resin creating artwork and small home decor items. This is what began to drive my followers up on social media. My process videos gained a lot of attention.
Fast forward to 2 years ago, in 2022, I took a class on designing wood accent walls. It was after I finished my first project, I started noticing the how much attention my business was getting. As the years have progressed, my design studio now offers full design services and remodeling. It has grown from simple painted accent walls to interior design, remodeling, multiple services for paint, wood walls, Venetian plaster, epoxy, cabinet remodeling, and more.
I contribute a large piece to my parents. My mother is a top producing real estate agent and my father a successful contractor with remodeling company of his own.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. There is no blueprint with all of the answers. So, a lot of times your lessons come in failure before they come from success. For me, I think I’ve had an easier transition into running a business because of the example set by my parents and my upbringing. But even with them, sometimes, we still learn things together. There are so many moving parts when it comes to building a career and name for yourself. I think the biggest struggle is managing doing the work, trying to get noticed, and still having to maintain a regular life. All while trying to figure out how to make it constantly happen over and over again. Then getting social media to put you out to the rest of the world that doesn’t know you yet.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a creative. I specialize in interiors. This includes custom artwork, faux finishes, designer accent walls, interior paint, remodeling, and design. Most recently, wood accent walls have become extremely popular and gained me the most attention aside from large-scale resin artwork. I’m most proud of the fact that for years, my career has been based on me as the brand Mark Isaac, and no matter how many times I reinvent myself and learn a new skill set, I’m still remembered for the previous ones as my wheelhouse grows.
What are your plans for the future?
My biggest goal is to move into a design studio space that also will used for retail. In an effort to become a household name, I also will be working on more visual projects to place myself in more viewers’ eyes. Perhaps a web series on YouTube and other platforms.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.markisaacstudios.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.mark.isaac
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/markisaacstudio
