TheCconnects: Can you tell our readers a little about your professional journey & how did you come to your current role/position?
Mark Blocker: I started out playing sports, from little league, all the way to the college level. I played college football for 2 years before fully focusing on my studies. I graduated from University of Phoenix in 2014 with two degrees, both majoring in the medical field. I was working part time at a McDonalds While I was attending college, after I finished playing football. After graduating college, I tried to get a job in the medical field, however,, failing miserably to do so. A college teammate reached out to me and talked about starting my own business. I was reluctant at first, but, after careful consideration, I decided to start my sports company.
TheCconnects: Who has influenced you the most in life and why?
Mark Blocker: The person who has influenced me the most was my 3rd grade teacher. She had me bury the word Can’T and told me that I am capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to. That was the catalyst that set my success journey to full throttle.
TheCconnects: What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your life & how did you overcome them?
Mark Blocker: I’ve faced several challenges in my life. The ones that stand out the most is when I didn’t walk across the stage in high school and had to go to summer school to get my high school diploma. I never attended summer school until my senior year of high school. Going from making amazing grades from most of my childhood to going to summer school to complete high school was embarrassing. At first , I was upset with my physics teacher, but then decided to use that as fuel to become a much greater student in college. I ended up graduating college with a very high GPA. I did way better than I ever did in high school. It felt really good to walk across the stage in college. I also had an experience when I was playing college football dealing with extreme hazing and bullying. It lead me to attempt suicide. I’m happy that I survived because It allowed me to reexamine my life and take the second chance that I was given to do it greater than I ever imagined. I’m happy to say that I’m here and doing way better in life.
TheCconnects: What lessons you have learned from your professional career?
Mark Blocker: I have learned the power of selling. It really has allowed me to become very successful in my career.
TheCconnects: What do you see as the biggest challenge for brands in the digital space?
Mark Blocker: Being the fact that I worked in sales off and on for 6 years, allowed me to have a strong base in entrepreneurship. The biggest challenge for brands in the digital world is competition. With AI being a force that most professionals are starting to use, it’s making the playing field, much harder to succeed than when I first started.. Entrepreneurs will either have to really step up their leadership skills or learn to use AI, in order to achieve the results that they are seeking.
TheCconnects: How your product/solution can help to resolve the pain points of your customers?
Mark Blocker: Big Block Athletics, my sports apparel can really absorb sweat, keeping them cool while being active in the summer and also, give them a common cause to rally around and core values that are similar to their own.
TheCconnects: What do you do in your free time?
Mark Blocker: I like to fish, workout, and simply listen to music, to have a good time and unwind.
TheCconnects: Do you have any advice for those who want to be an entrepreneur/chief … officer?
Mark Blocker: My biggest advice would be to learn how to sell. Learning how to sell will allow you to be certain that you will succeed long term. Once you become a Chief Executive Officer, Continuously develop your leadership skills.
Connect with Mark Blocker on LinkedIn here
