Mark Young wasn't even a teenager when he ran his first sales call. Even as a child, Mark knew that selling was about understanding people, not applying pressure. So, at the age of 12, Mark began his entrepreneurial journey by selling custom, personalized matchbooks from Superior Matchbook Company and earning 25% commission — he soon expanded into pens, pencils, and other promotional products.
After cold-calling every advertising agency in the Yellow Pages (remember those?) Mark landed a commission-based position with Quality Commercial Advertisers, a small firm that soon learned the power of true salesmanship.
Mark's obsession with human behavior, psychology, and performance would see him outselling seasoned reps, at 12. Mark was out-earning his father, a hard-working plumber from suburban Detroit.
With the money he'd saved, Mark went — by himself — and purchased a storefront for $12,000 to surprise his dad with the keys. "You're starting your own plumbing company. Here's your building."
This was a seminal moment that showed Mark how one business could lead to another, and one success could change the fortunes and futures of other people.
A lot has happened in the years following that fateful day when he handed his father the keys to his future. Mark has built and owned several successful businesses, and even has a 9-figure exit to his credit.
However, Mark’s true passion lies in helping other entrepreneurs reach their seemingly impossible goals and change their futures at scale. Jekyll + Hyde Labs is a performance-based advertising agency built for entrepreneurs, by an entrepreneur — we only make money when you make money.
For the challengers, the world isn't always so welcoming. You see, for challengers, creating value isn't a destination, it's a way of life. And when you spend your time betting on yourself, pushing boundaries, and challenging the status quo, you quickly get a reputation for being eccentric, overconfident, even defiant.
Well, we stand for the eccentric, the overconfident, and yes, even the defiant.
We stand for challengers, because they're the ones changing the world; the same world that has been telling them "no", over and over and over again.
We welcome challengers because innovation and explosive growth doesn't happen by playing it safe. It's the challengers that dream "impossible" dreams and have the vision to make them real. To be a challenger is to create value where none has existed before.
So, for those who zig when the rest of the world zags.
For the ADHD kids who refuse to sit down and shut up.
For the outcasts crazy enough to believe in themselves.
For the visionaries who understand that "no" is simply a suggestion – and not a very good one –you're welcome here.
"We are here to create transformative connections, so that visionary leaders can achieve their impossible goals."
— Mark Young
Jekyll + Hyde Labs is so much more than your next advertising agency
If you're ready to push on and build something great in the CPG world, Jekyll + Hyde Labs can help you turn your challenger product into a 100M+ brand.
Schedule Your Meeting Today