We’re looking forward to introducing you to Markee Carter. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Markee, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Actually, going Live on social media. I told myself that this year I was going to make some changes in my promotion strategy. So, I started off going Live on Facebook and Instagram, it was cool to start off and get the jitters out of my system. When I went Live on Facebook/ Instagram platforms it wasn’t giving me the interaction with people I was looking for. So, I went Live on TikTok and it was a whole new world/vibe and very interesting learning unwillingly.
After, going Live on TikTok it boosted my brand to a whole new level and built a powerful brand presence. At, first it was odd interacting with people I didn’t know but it was good marketing/networking on TikTok Live to make the experience very well deserving. I’ve met so many people in different walks of life. Plus, it made me feel good to get the praise and respect on how my brand looks to the world. Now my brand “We Legit LLC” is known worldwide. My new motto is “From The Eastside of Long Beach To Internationally Known.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Markee Carter the Corporate Enterprise Owner of “We Legit LLC.” I established a clothing brand in 2019 when Nipsey Hussle had passed. The reason I got into the business world because I watched one of Nipsey Interviews, he mentioned that he sold shirts to get into the business world. I always wanted to get into business and work out of my cell phone, but had no real strong direction or education to establish a company in my late teens/ early twenties. My company specialized in graphic designing shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, sports jerseys, and jackets. My company has expanded to embroidery work, which is done by my mother.
What makes it interesting for me is that I love creating a design for customers to broadcast my artwork to the world and make them feel good wearing something they help create and appreciate. When it comes to working with customers on “Custom Jobs” it really put me to work mentally, because I have to figure out color input, how to design the logo, and the overall presentation. While, working at my current job a co-worker had stopped me and asked for a custom birthday shirt. I accepted the job she provided a picture of what she wanted and it took me a week to put together the design, along with the colors. When creating and using my circuit machine I was actually nervous because the unknowing if she will like it or not.
I recorded the process of cutting, weeding, and pressing the design, which can be viewed on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram as a reel. Also, this is my first time delivering my products to a customer and it was a humbling experience reason being when she seen the shirt in person. She was looking at it and was so in love with it, I thought she was going to cry and it had me choke up also, because I never seen a customer reaction when they had gotten my products. At, that moment that’s when I knew I had something special and it will be last longing. As, for my brand we’re currently developing podcast episodes, photography, and looking to designing shoes.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The bonds among people that breaks is “Trust & Respect.” When you’re communicating with another individual in whatever the relationship consists of you always established trust first. Reason, being it will let both parties know where y’all stand in all matters of communication. The respect will shows even when that individual is present or not even around, because no disrespect should be tolerated by any means due to the establishing of respect that was formed first. When those two things are broken it’s hard to build it back up like it once was. It’s easy to for give but hard to forget. Those are two things I make sure not to break when it come to business and my personal life, but growing in Long Beach greater area, you never know who you will come across in life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that no matter when you’ve to make a final decision. In my late teens I experienced a lot of turmoil and growth. Learning how the world really is, learning who is my true friends/family, and learning how I want to leave a legacy. I say suffering can make you or break you depending on how strong you’re mentally. Suffering can turn you into a cold hearted, disgruntled, and negative person where nobody wants to be in your presence. When you can make it out of that phase in life, things start to go good for you in a positive way. As, you grow older and take life for what it is you can use your experiences in life to encourage the next generation on how navigate obstacles in life to where the cycle is not being repeated. When I experienced success on being recognized as a “Brand/ Influencer” it made me feel very accomplished and all the hardship I experienced was well worth it. Some days I get down and depressed because I lost some friends/family members to the penitentiary and graveyard that wouldn’t be able to see my success.
That’s why I take things serious when it comes to work and personal relationships with individuals. You never know who that person might turn into currently/later in life, you might gain a good friend, or good associate in the end.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes it is actually. In my youth I always wanted to be known as most of the male figures in my city. For, example like Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Tray Dee just to name a few. As, I was growing up I seen people do wrong and get praised for it but in reality, when you do wrong “Karma” always find a way to show up at any given moment. Per usual the successful people I’ve met work really hard and left Long Beach to spread their wings, but always come back to show support for any gathering, show respect for the community, and always telling us that we can always leave our environment for better opportunities.
My wake up calling to clean up my image was when my cousin had passed away in 2010. When attending his funeral, I noticed that nobody had any positive to say about him due to the circumstances of how he passed. At that moment, I was thinking if I ever pass away, I want multiple people to say so much and be positive all the way around.
When I started my company “We Legit LLC” I knew my image was in good standing and well representing. My model is “ It’s Not Just A Brand It’s A Lifestyle.” Reason being I’m very hardworking, understanding on multiple points of views, and not a judgmental person. As being a “CEO” of my company everyday it’s challenging most people don’t believe your reputation or presentation. So, which comes with jealousy, hate, and how we can tarnish his image. From, what I experienced a lot of people watch from a distance and some are praying for my downfall.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
They will understand that I’m continuing the legacy of my late Great Grandfather “Frederick Tela Carter Sr.” When I came to visit Nashville, Tennessee I met my Father side of the family i was given a great detail of my bloodline, reputation, and the foundation that my great grandfather had left. To learn about my elders male wise in my family was a turning point in my life and me feel very confident. To know that my family has a legacy in Nashville and for it to be positive it’s a wonderful feeling especially when it was in a time where opportunities for blacks wasn’t has prevalent like it is today. So, for me to mention that when you see me you see a strong, well-minded, and intelligent individual that has a legacy that was established well before I came into existence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.welegitclothing.com
- Instagram: Welegitlbc16
- Linkedin: Markee Carter
- Twitter: We Legit 16
- Facebook: We Legit Clothing
- Youtube: We Legit 16 Podcast
Image Credits
I would like to give a shoutout to everyone last of my customers reason being without y’all the brand would be where it is today. Once again “It’s Not Just A Brand It’s A Lifestyle.” From The Eastside of Long Beach to Internationally Known Ya Digg.
