“Every tomorrow is determined by every today.” - James Altucher. Mark’s strong mindset has helped him to face all the adversities and challenges. He was paralyzed from the neck down after contracting polio at the age of 5 and was given less than 10% chance of surviving. Mark beat the odds and was able to regain limited mobility. His resilient spirit helped him to move forward in life, earning an MBA and working as a service manager. After developing a Post-Polio Syndrome he was forced to quit his job. He smartly took advantage of his interest in the internet and started a series of online businesses. From his initial failures rose later successes. Today Mark is the founder of “Easy Internet Services” and “Easy Internet Solutions” – two successful companies offering a myriad of online services such as search engine optimization (SEO), web marketing and hosting. He is very active in his advocacy of empowering people with disabilities and in the “End Polio Now” efforts of the Rotary club. Mark has shared his story of struggle, hard work and hope in his autobiography “I can. I will.”

What has been the biggest hurdle when you started your business? How did you handle it?M: The biggest hurdle when I started my business was considering how I could make it a success without having to meet any potential clients face-to-face. For many years, I avoided face-to-face meetings like the plague due to fears of discrimination - I was worried that people would judge me for being disabled and black. And it turns out I wasn’t wrong to have those fears.
Many years ago, I met with a long-standing client. Despite telling him exactly where I was sitting and what I was wearing, he looked directly at me and carried on walking around the lobby. Eventually, he came back and asked sheepishly “by any chance” if I were Mark - you could see how shocked he was that I was the owner of the business. They cancelled their contract a month later.

What qualities and skills of yours have made you a successful entrepreneur?M: Mindset is the number one thing that will help you to get through even the most difficult times. I’ve suffered terribly through the hands of my abusive father, bullies at school and even discrimination from the public and in business. But despite my father telling me I would never amount to anything, I always knew deep down that he wasn't right!
Of course, you’ll have moments where your mindset falters and you find it hard to stay positive. But trust that better days will come and work towards them - that’s how you build tenacity in life and in business.

Can you tell us about your involvement with empowering people with disabilities?M: I do many things to empower and support other people with disabilities - it’s something that really means a lot to me.
I regularly give talks to Rotary club members and support their campaign, End Polio Now. Similarly, I work with the Department for Work and Pensions to give talks on the benefits of employing disabled people.
In the summer of 2018 I released my autobiography, "I Can. I Will". In this, I share the story of my life and the struggles I have faced to become successful.
Following on from this, I recently launched my YouTube channel. The channel is aimed at empowering disabled people and people from disadvantaged groups - to inspire them to be successful.
In my first few videos, I have discussed ways you can make money working from home, the relationship between disability and mental health and how to maintain a positive mindset and defeat the enemy within.
Lastly, both of my businesses are proud Disability Confident employers.

What is the idea behind your book "I Can. I Will."? Who should read this book?M: Anyone who is facing adversity in their lives and needs hope. I Can. I Will. was a difficult book to write, as I had to address some very difficult memories from my childhood. But I hope my story will empower other disabled people to thrive and be successful despite the setbacks that life has given them.

How do you face obstacles in life? What keeps you moving forward?M: The key is having a strong, positive, can-do mindset AND a great support system in place. My wife Diana is my rock and she is the one person who has always believed in me. I am forever grateful to her, and my two children Ren and Esme for their unconditional love and support.

What are your other hobbies?M: I took up wheelchair basketball as a way to continue my love of sports, to make new friends and to push myself out of my comfort zone. Being in business can be quite stressful and I use sports as a way to focus on something else and wind down. I played for many years for the Leicester Cobras and I now regularly play wheelchair tennis every week. It’s also nice meeting other disabled people, as they understand what it’s like to be disabled. I’m also really interested in cryptocurrency and I trade in my spare time, too.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you love about that place?M: My favourite place to visit is St Lucia in the Carribean. I love it because of the culture and friendliness of the people.

What is your suggestion for families of children with disabilities to empower their children?M: Never tell your children they can’t do things because of their disability. Always empower them to believe they are just as capable as everyone else. Throughout their lives, they’ll have many people doubt them because of their disability. Please don’t be one of them.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who are interested in starting an online business?M: Firstly, subscribe to my YouTube channel! I know it’s a shameless plug but I truly believe it will help you as it’s created with you in mind! Secondly, there is so much value out there on the internet - for free! Never stop learning if you want to become a success and don’t be afraid to change the way you do things for better results.

Any special message for our community?M: I truly believe that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Believe in yourself, stay strong and never give up!