My name is Mark Angel and I am the founder and CEO of Mark Angel Comedy, Mechanic Pictures and The Mark Angel Entertainment Conglomerate. I was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In 2008, I gained admission to study medicine at the University but never had the opportunity to - due to financial reasons. Therefore, I never had the chance to pursue my University degree. In 2011, I relocated to Lagos working as photographer for a while and then had the opportunity to traveled to India where I learned cinematography and later joined a theatre group called Gingertainment where I performed a couple of comedy skits on stage. When I returned back to Nigeria, I joined the Nollywood industry and did few productions but my Nollywood experience was a bit brief because of my mum. She is an evangelist and was skeptical about some of the movies I sometimes edited. I then sought other ways to channel my talent. I start my own media company. I did what I loved for fun and not for money. In 2013, I pursued that dream officially with the production company name - Mechanic Pictures. My talent in photography and cinematography came very handy because I often used pictures or videos for my comedies screenings written by me. But the most important thing I left out is being a PROUD uncle to my little niece who is the headline – name Emmanuella. She is a talented, smart, funny and upcoming comedian who won an award in 2015 which is the G influence Niger Delta Special Talent Award. My friend: Denilson Igwe who is popularly regards as the bike man is considered one of the funniest, talented comedian in my sight. We both once lived together nearly 9years and currently he is an executive member of the Mark Angel Comedy. Neither of us have any extensive experience in comedy when we begun. All we love to is make people laugh and most of all easing up the stressful lifestyle of our audience around the world integrating our upbringing and humor that our African community exemplifies. We are so grateful that, most of our audience abroad and locally are believers – via our honest content we produce together.
Credit to God, our hard work, believing, our team effort and HUMBLE beginning - Mark Angel Comedy broke YouTube record to be the first ever YouTube channel in Nigeria to surpass a million subscribers milestone! I believe our audience love the openness we infuse in our content. Whether you are get into producing, or directing, or management I believe relationships are built early on; crews start out generationally. You build those relationships when you’re all struggling, and those are the relationships that are going to carry you through your career—if you’re lucky enough to have one. This opportunity is a SELF EXPRESSION - we don’t sit down behind our computer and try to think up a joke. You’ll be very frustrated when nothing good comes to you. Instead, my advice is use writing time to express yourself. Talk about your frustrations. Comedy gets it’s power from the audience’s ability to identify with you and your contents.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
I will say my parents are very supportive, most of all my mom. But as an advocate, she sometimes questions and challenges our intentions. She motivates me to think through my decision making(brainstorming) and creativity runs through her veins. In fact, I think she is more of a comedian than I am. My dad is a private person.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Kevin Hart and Jay-Z are my greatest role models
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
-The fact that I choose when profit goes up and any failure of my business or project can be linked back to my effort.
-The fact I can break my own records
What would you say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business?
God, work, vision, desire for excellence, and persistence
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
-I can't remember any most satisfying moment. I get equal level of satisfaction when ever I achieve a new goal.
-Every moment of victory for me is most satisfying.
What advice would you give to an upcoming young and old entrepreneur locally and internationally?
In any part of the world, same principles work: Put God FIRST
-Work hard,
-Have a vision and focus, strive for excellence
Connect with us:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markangelcomedy
Website: http://www.markangelcomedy.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarkAngelComedy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/markangelcomedy
Instagram: markangelcomedy
