Finding Success and Lending a Helping Hand with Mark Maciver
Life can be pretty harsh, especially when you go through failures and setbacks. When you hit rock bottom, it's hard to see a way out and even harder to lend a helping hand to others. But failure is a phase: it is not permanent. When you lend a helping hand and extend a little bit of compassion, it goes a long way both for you and those you support.
In this episode, Mark Maciver shares stories about his life and compelling advice on doing our part in making the world and other people's lives better. Mark is a passionate, driven barber whose dedication will surely be an inspiration to many.
This episode is for everyone who wants to make a positive impact on the world. Those pursuing studies or careers, especially entrepreneurs, will benefit from this motivating and insightful discussion. People of all ages can pick up so much wisdom and inspiration from the things that Mark has shared with us.
Tune in to this episode to find out how to triumph over life's hardships and learn how to lend a helping hand, inspire change, and positively impact the world!
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Discover how Mark built his career from scratch and succeeded.
Hear Mark’s powerful advice on the importance of knowing what matters and choosing when to walk away.
Find out how you can lend a helping hand in transforming the world into a better place.
Resources
Noise App
SliderCuts
Mark’s Shaping Up Culture, is available on Amazon. Grab your copy now!
Connect with Mark: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | website
Episode HighlightsMark’s Childhood Years
Being an immigrant, his mum was not knowledgeable about things like insurance.
After his mum’s shop got robbed, Mark lived on the streets for a few nights.
He does not have a good recollection of this event.
Mark recalls having to share two slices of bread among their family of five because they had no food or money.
‘No, for someone to come to you, say they're hungry? And then you just say to them, “I pray for you…” Why not actually give the person some bread to eat, and then pray with the person?’
After constantly moving around, things became stable after they moved to Camden. He lived there until the age of 26.
Making Connections
Nigerian parents are typically strict, so his mum was very protective of him during Mark’s early teenage years.
During that time, Mark dabbled in drama school and emceeing.
Feeling like he didn’t fit in anywhere pushed him to explore a lot, which ultimately helped his career.
At 18, Mark started cutting people’s hair and got lots of customers from those connections.
Listen to the full episode to find out how Mark bagged a gig as an emcee at a club when his friends lend a helping hand!
What Inspired Mark to Become a Barber
Seeing different hairstyles always fascinated him.
When he got his hair shaved off as a child, he felt weird seeing his peers sporting different hairstyles. Wanting a good haircut fueled his interest in barbering.
Mark taught himself how to cut hair by watching how other barbers do it. He only received proper training at D&L’s when he was 18.
Tune in to the full episode to hear about Mark’s journey, from his failed attempts at cutting his hair to having customers flock to him.
Opening His Shop
Mark, having been tasked with managing D&L’s, had so many ideas on how to run the shop, but it wasn’t his to run.
Feeling that his potential was getting wasted, Mark set off to create his own business.
He emphasises that location is important. It took him two years to find the right spot for his shop.
Developing Hustle Mentality
Even after their shop shut down, Mark’s mum made plantain chips and Nigerian snacks.
While lending a helping hand to his mum, he learned about having a strong work ethic and a hustle mentality.
Though Mark admits he didn’t perform well in school, he learned more practical things.
Mark believes that failing in school is not the end all be all, but you should still take it seriously. What’s important is doing your best in anything you choose to do.
‘Whatever you do, do to the best of your ability. If you’re in it, be in it properly.’Reducing Crime
Poverty and culture play a big part in the rise of crime rates.
Parents should be careful with what they say, do or show to their children because children watch more than they listen.
Mark shares a small anecdote about how his son picked up a song from him and how parents indirectly influence their children. Tune in to the episode to hear all about it!
Knowing What Matters
It’s crucial to teach the youth to swallow their egos. Mark laments that many crimes could have been avoided if someone just walked away.
Children grow up to be their persons and make wrong decisions. So, simply telling them the do’s and don’ts is not enough.
‘Just because I'm right doesn't mean that suddenly I'm gonna win the fight, or because I'm defending someone doesn't mean that it's gonna work out for me.’
Rather, it’s essential to teach them what matters.
Ego and short-term negative emotions are not worth investing in more than your life, future, and loved ones.
Listen to the full episode to learn why you should assess your priorities and ask yourself, 'Is this worth it'?
Lend a Helping Hand
Mentoring and lending a helping hand should be more than just talk and prayer.
‘If you have no money, there's other things you can do. But it's about taking it further and just being like, do the right thing.’
It’s easy to preach to do the right thing, but Mark challenges you to take it a step further and take action to lend a helping hand.
We should educate not just the youth but also the adults, especially those who teach the wrong things.
‘As children get older, they make their own decisions. You can teach them all the right things. They might make their own decisions, and still do the wrong thing that you told them not to do.’Sharing Practical Tips
In his book, Mark gives practical self-development advice with concrete steps, like earning extra credit and how to present yourself properly.
On a final note, Mark shares the origin of his nickname, SliderCuts. If you’re interested to find this out, tune in to the full episode!
About Mark
Mark is a multi-award-winning barber with over 20 years of experience in the craft. Based in London, his clients include personas from the sports, film, and music industries, such as LeBron James, Reggie Yates, and J Cole.
He won an award in the Black British Business Awards in 2018 and was nominated for the Evening Standard Business Award in 2019. He was featured in campaigns by Nike and Facebook, and magazines such as GQ. Known for his strong business sense, Mark released a book called Shaping Up Culture, where he shares his insights.
Mark’s passion and drive have made him a role model for many. You can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. Alternatively, you can also visit his website.
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To inspiring change,
Jim