Orlando Voyager Feature: “Meet Marquis Mckenzie”

Written By The Dirt Master

This article originally appeared in the Orlando Voyager.

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marquis Mckenzie.

Hi Marquis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, at the age of 15 years, I was took out of the juvenile system and charged as an adult and sent to prison. While incarcerated, I discover my passion for cleaning and decide once I was released, I would start a cleaning business. In 2015, I officially built the courage to start my business and hit the ground running. I established a very good name with the community and branded the company very well. In 2020, I received a $75,000 business grant from Avalon Park Group to help me expand and I’m currently working on a project that would add Reentry. This project will allow my business to help employ returning citizens.

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?
It’s a smooth ride once you get organized. The hindering blocks come when you’re trying to work the business and manage it. Wearing multiples hats is the struggle.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We started off doing it all. But just recently, we decided to focus on construction cleaning so we can give back and hire individuals coming from incarceration. We realized that the construction industry is more friendly to returning citizens and we wanted to use our brand to amplify that. We believe in serving our community. What that means is, we donate funds to my non-profit (Community Outreach Enterprise) so we can serve the homeless and we also clean disabled citizens and disabled veteran’s homes free once a month if needed.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a loner, I stayed to myself, and I use to like sports. But never knew what I wanted to do once I was older.

Contact Info:

The Dirt Master
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