After being incarcerated and charged with a felony at the age of 16 for nearly two years, Marquis Mckenzie Sr. was hopeless about his future career prospects. The 32-year-old now brings in about $150,000 a year as a business owner and community organizer in Orlando, Florida.
This is an installment of CNBC Make It’s Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.
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Wtf 2k month on a car?!?! Graham is going to go out of his mind?
Financial spending aside, he really is a strong man despite being punished by the legal system, give them a chance to live a life cuz the stigma of having a brand in your name really sucks, instead of pushing convicts away, give them the support they need so they can turn their life around.
I hope we have more people like him who will give back to their communities. More power to him!
GOOD FOR YOU BROTHA 💯💯💯💖💖💖💖🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Thank you for sharing your story! I am inspired!
Yeah you should, i bet someone told you not to do it but you still committed, own up to you criminal past ignorance is not an excuse
Imagine showing up for an interview wearing a suit that was worth more than your 401(k)
aI love his story although somewhat inspiring. He needs a financial advisor and financial literacy class ASAP. This young man still seems to be check to check I hope someone can reach out and set him up on a better budget. GOOD LUCK MARQUIS AND CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS.
Love this story my only advice is:
1. Sell the car (car payment is way too high, buy a used car in full or finance with a payment of less than $300/m).
2. Buy a cheap iphone/android from Walmart etc. and get on a cheap prepaid phone plan. (Get rid of the cellular lines on the smart watches)
3. Write off the portion of your phone bill used for your business on your taxes.
4. By step four you now have between $19,548- $23,148 extra per year.
5. Use the extra money to pay off your debts and build an emergency savings fund.
6. Look to bring down your utility and food expenses (Eat out less only twice a month if you do).
7. Invest at least $875 at minimum each month into Roth 401k.
8. Overall just live below your means, save, and invest.
God bless!
Sell the car!!!
Dude didn't even do a yr 🤦🏾♂️
Shouldn't the smartest thing to do be focus on adolescents and get them on the right path so they won't be in the system for commiting a crime?
I’m still tripping off the $2K a month car note sheesh 😮
a $2,000 car payment?! Sheeeeesh lol
Cool story but 2k on a Benz each month is wild my guy lol! Especially when you're taking out 1.5k from the 401(k) plan. No judgement though!
Successful people don't become that way overnight.What most people see at a glance-wealth.a great career, purpose is the result of hard work and hustle over time,I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life
Keep up the hustle, brother!
Good to see someone that is real and not just a influencer on here
This is so respectful that the example of BLM life is hard work and never give up!
This should show on news in school I am teaching!
I really respect it 100% That is to prove the America best place to get success !
Is he crazy!!! he is paying $2k a month for a car note!!! And no savings!!! This is why!! And I hope he has great life insurance because if anything happens to him ( which I hope it doesn't) his family will be in a very hard place!! And I dont understand why he doesn't live in the house he brought and then get a more affordable car and then he can save more. I get it you work hard and want a nice car and he has earned it but he could have got a brand new Honda top of the line for cheaper than that!! $2k a month for a car note if you making less than $30k a month is ridiculous!!!
2k a month for a car, that's worse than prison
Great that he turned his life around and helping others. However, you lost me at $2K a month in car payment. Someone help this young man. He could pay cash or get a Honda. That is insane, not to mention 70 hrs a week, break that down and he is not making much.
Good man
I’m glad he turned his life around but he really needs to get his budget together and also try to refinance his car 2K a month for a car that’s more then his rent
Cut your nails
Brother, let the Benz go and get a work van that you can store your equipment in. Easy tax write off. Other than that, keep elevating/inspiring the youth. 1Luv
You made my day.
I get trying to help others but you rent the home you live at With your family m, but purchased a home for other nah
This man contributes $924 dollars a year to investing making $150k, lmaooo what a trainwreck, and people praising this dude, no wonder everyone is poor
What a wonderful story of redemption.
He has done so well for himself and works hard. The price of that car though😮
The mercedes was a bad purchase bro!!
Wow what an incredible and inspirational journey! Thank you for sharing.
I love your story! Keep doing what you do and helping other! Glad to see another Floridian making it!
He can not manage his money well
He really cant shoot otc
Man where’s the dad. The step dad. Girls always replace the dude no matter wat. I know strong independent but yo a role model
You are amazing!!!! May god bless you!!! This is what is needed!!!
Hood rat
Three words: Horrendous Money Management!!! However, at least he is working hard and following the law.
Great history. But that $2k a month car payment seems too high, I hope he gets a cheaper car and he increases his savings / investments.