Mark Basa and Mitchell Jackson are the two editors of a recently-launched Australian magazine called ManTalk. They are quite different, but work together well and use their expertise in the work that they do for their newest project. To celebrate the launch of their magazine, we interviewed them for the Attire Club website to learn more on who they are, what they do and what their goals in the long term are.
Read the interview below:
Mark and Mitch
Attire Club: How did you come to do what you do? What did you want to be when you were little?
Mark: I became a consultant after many years of assisting businesses with various tasks such as copywriting and product design. I really enjoyed every aspect of communications and focused on developing my written and verbal communication techniques to a professional level where I was paid to write. I was writing resumes for PhD graduates and investment pitches for Computer Engineers trying to sell their technologies and realized a majority of my work came from tech-smart individuals who couldn’t sell their story. That’s where I came in. I would sell a persuasive story to a buyer, convincing them that this was a great opportunity. By continuously being involved in so many businesses and personal projects, I obtained a world of knowledge from many industries and business leaders, which got me where I am today and led me to creating ManTalk. All paths lead somewhere and I feel as if ManTalk is a new journey I am embarking on. Funnily enough, when I was little there wasn’t one thing I didn’t want to do. I wanted to be everything from a professional soccer player to an organic farmer because I believed in giving everything a try. Life is too short to be indecisive, just go for it.
Mitch: After going straight into tertiary study from high school in addition to a busy working schedule, I realised my appreciation for diversity and variety in all aspects of my life including study and career. After six months in my first full time job, I began to get restless; ideas of my own businesses and travel were always on my mind. When I was little, like any kid I wanted to be an astronaut, pro surfer. As I grew older a doctor, but I was terrible at science, to finally at the end of high school a stockbroker. What changed my mind was lifestyle, why would I want to study to put myself into one of the highest stress professions in the world. So I started a business I was passionate about, cofounded ManTalk, and started managing sales for a marketing and PR company. I don’t really have an exact job title, but what I love is having a broad range of responsibilities in different businesses that make my work life diverse and enjoyable.
Mark
AC: What were the biggest challenges you met in your professional development? How did you overcome them?
Mark: Getting in contact with the right people who had the power to make decisions was equally as hard as finding clients who are willing to listen and practice the consulting advice I give. The first problem with companies is that they believe they know-it-all and have systems in place that limit their own staff and contractors who try to change things for the better. Everyone should be more open to advice and have open ears rather than believe that they are doing things perfectly. I’ve found that challenges arise on both sides. There are start-up companies with amazing technologies who would rather spend their income on a new Xbox rather than pay for consulting advice and introductions to Venture Capitalists. This is a challenge because it is frustrating to watch good talent go to waste because of a lifestyle choice or pure ignorance. Then on the opposite side of the spectrum you have Venture Capitalists who say they want to invest in the next big thing, yet sit on their hands and wait for Sean Parker to come knocking at their doors with a billion dollar opportunity. There heads are up in the clouds, unwilling to listen to entrepreneurs who doing something extraordinary. I’m getting more involved in the local start-up scenes, acting as a conduit for start-ups and small business with big ideas and bigger technologies and introducing them to the right people. Entrepreneurs must understand the power of big Venture Capitalist money, as Venture Capitalists must understand the power that a small start-up company can have over a market. You need to believe in it first, and then see it. The only way I’ve overcome this is persistence. Without tenacity, the obstacles become failures and your dreams go right out the door.
Mitch:
One of the biggest challenges that I’ve discovered, thus far in my professional development, was identifying where my strengths in business lie. This challenge further led to uncovering where I can best add value to a venture. After working for a multi-billion dollar international company for over seven years, and an Australian based business that had recently gained international success, I began questioning my role and how I could gain internal success within the company. This led me to identify and familiarise myself with all facets of the business. I started asking myself, if I were the CEO, what would I change? How would I streamline processes? How would I systemise daily activities to increase efficiency? This experience led me to identify that I am more aligned working in business development and thinking entrepreneurially. I overcame my challenges by leaving the corporate world with a managerial hierarchy and started working with my strengths.
AC: What were the biggest successes you’ve had so far?
Mark: I had a client that was in desperate need of some consulting advice so I completely redesigned his company’s and his personal image including some speech and pitch development. After 30 days of excruciating work, I landed him two contacts valued at $1 million. He previously had not made anything in 12 months and was trying to market something he simply could not communicate. I’m only 25 years old so I stand by that track-record and let all my clients know that if they want something, they must work extremely hard to get it and have a no-excuse policy. I was also the youngest and first start-up company director in a decade to speak at the Business Leaders Forum on behalf of business in my state in 2012 held at Microsoft because of the outstanding goals my colleagues and I achieved in such a short-period of time. I’m now a Mentor at Mentoring For Growth assisting high-growth potential companies or businesses facing a challenge.
Mitch: The biggest personal and professional successes I have had in my life, thus far, was being asked by one of my closest friends to be God Father to his daughter. Regardless of what happens in your working life family are always there to stand by you in times of incredible stress, and to share your successes. The professional success that I am most proud of is being a director of two businesses and holding a management position within a third at the age of 22. What is most exciting is that from these roles, I am still learning every day, surrounded by an amazing team of people, and have wonderful mentors and colleagues around who consistently push me to be better.
Mitch
AC: How did the two of you meet?
Mark: Mitch and I met through a friend and shared many of the same interests. I was really impressed with Mitch’s background and professionalism and we began working together on ManTalk and haven’t looked back since. It’s great to have a business partner who is on call 24/7 because he wants to achieve the same goals as I do. I’d say our business relationship is next to perfect as well as having a great friendship too. We are constantly communicating on all levels and I know that if there is a challenge ahead, Mitch will be there.
Mitch: I was introduced to Mark before a meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane. I was quickly impressed by his vast business experience, his ability to talk and relate to people of all walks of life and that after the meeting, he ordered a great Scotch. Our personal friendship began to grow along with the idea of ManTalk. An opportunity arose to make it a reality and we became business partners. As we both offer different but complimentary skill sets we have become a fantastic team with our thought processes and long-term vision evolving together. Mark is one of the hardest and most dedicated workers I have met, leaving me with complete trust in all aspects of our business.
AC: Where did the idea of ManTalk magazine come from?
Mark: Myself and an old colleague use to say “ManTalk” when we wanted to share something in private. Although it started off as acknowledging a cute girl in the office, it became more intellectual. As I’ve always enjoyed writing, I wanted to give an alternative voice in media. I couldn’t bear to read another pop-culture magazine and wasn’t able to find anything that covered the basis of business, politics and well-being, while still having the added departments of tailored style and men’s heath. ManTalk is a solution to a problem I had and I believe many men thirst for the same knowledge we do.
Mitch: The idea for ManTalk came by identifying a hole in the market within male publications. There is an oversaturation, with the majority of content being incredibly similar. There wasn’t something on the market that offered intellectual, well written, credible articles targeted at businessmen and entrepreneurs, whilst still including elegant editorials of beautiful women, and the finer things in life.
AC: What will the magazine be all about?
Mark: We have eight different departments including our most important self-titled department ManTalk, which is the editor’s political letter on a subject that needs discussion within the public. Our Feature-Preneur department showcases leading businessmen from around the globe. We include Business & Technology, Women, Entertainment, Health, Style and ManVice. Readers will discover everything from a particular nations foreign policy, government corruption, how to choose fabric for a tailored suit, mind and body exercise techniques and so much more. We have such a diverse group of writers that every issue is tailored to a specific theme, and we tackle crucial issues which are written on the grounds of freedom of speech. You can’t argue with science, scholarly evidence, or ignore a topic that may test your knowledge or beliefs. It’s all about discussion and making people question everything rather than being satisfied with something they heard on the 6’oclock news. In summary, ManTalk is written by intellectual Entrepreneurs who have each succeeded in the own way and provide an array of compelling articles that really test the status-quo with an agenda and final goal of educating gentlemen to better their lives in any way we can.
AC: Where do you see it going?
Mark: Our progression model allows us to grow at a steady pace so we can be recognized internationally in around three years. We want to align ourselves with the right clientele where we share the same synergies. Because of the nature of our content, we believe we will be at the forefront in the alternative-media industry as we continue to publish material. Mitch and I hope to become mainstream in the sense that people will chose alternative-media sources like ManTalk first, after disconnecting from the pop-culture grid. Mitch and I want ManTalk to be the magazine of the century but also understand what it will take to get it that far hence why we are always trying to push the envelope in the next issue. Everything is up for discussion with no boundaries.
Mitch: Within the next five years I would love ManTalk to be recognised as one of the best international luxury publications for businessmen and entrepreneurs in addition to building a strong brand awareness and reputation for high quality writing. After gaining domestic success in Australia, Mark and I would love to expand the brand into the US, and Europe whilst building a stronger team of writers in varying fields and professions.
AC: Since we are a website focused on clothes, and you will be covering this topic as well, what is your take on the revival of menswear that we see so much of today?
Mark: It’s good to see gentlemen taking pride in how they look. I enjoy reading old publications where you see men in their best three-piece suits, a pocket square or a fresh flower, and wore this every day of the week because every day they took pride in how they looked rather than hopelessly made the excuse about it being too much of a hassle. It certainly makes a big difference in the modern world when you take extra care in your own presentation. I’ve had clients who told me it was the way I dressed which helped seal-the-deal. I encourage colleagues and friends alike to present themselves the very best they possibly can at every opportunity.
Mitch: I have a passion and love for tailored clothing and suits, as well as the heritage and history that come with wearing these garments. It’s a wonderful thing to see the emergence and revival of menswear, including sartorial influences from all over the world. Through social media channels, the prevalence of Men’s fashion as well as inspiration is so much more accessible now. This has filtered through to Australian gentlemen taking a newfound pride in their appearances and the release of some wonderful labels and tailors in Australia.
AC: Who are your inspirations and what do you do when you need an “attitude-booster”?
Mark: I have enough energy to power a small city so am rarely un-motivated but when and if I ever get side-tracked, I think about great accomplishments from big tech predecessors like Steve Jobs. If I’m feeling like I’m simply going around in circles or feel like the world is against me, a few wise words from Socrates or Napoleon Hill remind me that all good things take time, and you will always be criticised. Sometimes it’s great to just open-up to friends and family as they are the ones that truly know you and really matter.
Mitch: What inspires me, is individuals that have profound impacts on business and companies. The two men that always helped to give me perspective and continue to strive for success when I’ve had a knock back are Warren Buffett and Jordan Belfort. Warren Buffett inspires me not because he is one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the world, but more so that he is philanthropic, a gentleman, and has an immaculate business track record that dates back over fifty years. The reason Jordan Belfort inspires me is his tenacity, resilience and sheer hunger for success. After being convicted of stock market manipulation, spending nearly two years in jail and starting back at square one, he has managed to bounce back to success.
AC: What do you think are the main pillars of focus a man should have in his life to live the Man Talk lifestyle?
Mark: Knowledge, and a willingness to obtain as much as possible without disregarding anything until proven. And even then he should continue to build his life around acquiring more knowledge through books. I have friends that have completely dedicated their lives to education who live simplistic lifestyles and regard books as invaluable material objects. They are the most connected to the universe.
Mitch: Most importantly to always be a gentleman in all forms of life, Continued Personal and Professional development, an appreciation and eye for style, and a curiosity to know more about the world.
AC: Do you have any other projects coming up that are/are not related to Man Talk?
Mark: I’m focusing on two things at the moment which are Consulting and ManTalk, as everything else I’m involved in only requires a few hours a week. I’m launching a new job-seekers website that connects start-up companies and entrepreneurs as well as system for the health & fitness industry which is being trialled by a number of gyms. Although these things take a lot of time and money, it’s important to continuously build momentum as well as take every opportunity possible. I need to be actively doing something that gets me closer to my goals. It was hard for me to take time off but realised getting away for a day or two cleanses the mind so I’m able to go back and work more efficiently. My downtime consists of a lot of reading which assists in my research for ManTalk and as much fishing and hunting as possible.
Mitch: In addition to ManTalk, the main projects that I will be working on this year are gaining domestic success with my Men’s Tailoring business, while aiming to increase the client base, international contracts and sales growth within my sales management role.
We wish to thank the two gentlemen for taking the time to do this interview and to wish them all the best with their on-line magazine!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
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