Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquis Clarke.
Hi Marquis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
At merely four years old, I played around the aisles of cards in my mom’s small-town gift shop. She is an entrepreneur at heart and introduced me not only to entrepreneurship but truly caring about others at an early age. Yes, she owned her own small business, but it was so much more than that. It was a place where women could go to not only find great gifts for loved ones, but to receive encouragement and have a listening ear. It was so much more than a small-town gift shop; it was a place where women felt like they belonged, were understood, and found products that would enhance their lives.
From growing up with my mom owning her own business, I saw first-hand the struggles, the successes, and the hard work it takes to own your own business and be your own boss. I have found that my business as a creator is carrying on my mother’s legacy of encouraging and empowering women through the simple things in life.
My blog was birthed out of a hobby while my husband worked long hours in sales, and over the years, transformed into the American Dream of not only of supporting my family but of carrying on the legacy of encouraging wives and moms right where they are – in the midst of the chaos, in the midst of the goldfish on the floor, in the midst of the mess.
After five years of blogging and being a part-time creator, I took the risk and quit my “normal” job to pursue my dream in 2017. At the heart of who I am, I want to encourage wives and moms by sharing “simple” ways they can enhance their lives and amazing products to help them accomplish their goals. As a mom of two, this is sometimes challenging balancing my household and working from home, but I thrive on knowing I can possibly make a difference for just one family by helping them “simplify”.
Especially in a time where social media can make it seem like all the other moms “have it together” with picture-perfect posts and hashtags – if I can share just a glimpse of normal, a glimpse of encouragement – then I know it’s a good day for me and my readers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I considering my job as a creator a gift every day, but it has come with its own struggles and challenges. On March 1, 2019, I suffered from a Spontaneous Bilateral VAD that caused me to have three strokes. It has been quite a recovery process since then, but we are incredibly thankful for all of the progress I have made and where I am today. I have deficits from my strokes, including 1/4 blindness in each eye and extreme dizziness at times. I also developed POTS, which I am currently learning to manage day to day. My medical struggles can making working difficult at times, but I am very thankful for the support I have through my audience of followers I have built and for the opportunity I have as a creator to manage my own workload.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lifestyle influencer who strives to encourage women through sharing about everyday life and ways to keep #momlife simple. I embrace life as it comes with car rider line craziness, family dance parties, and snacks galore. My audience is busy and constantly on the go, so they love seeing how I keep mom life simple with everyday deals of products you can rely on, fun family activities, simple mom outfits, and easy meals for the whole family with love.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is baking cookies with my granny at Christmastime. I can still smell the warm cookies in the oven and feel the love and laughter from her kitchen.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplyclarke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marquis_clarke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyclarke
