Marc Eckō Built A Creative Empire, Almost Lost It All, + Came Out On Top

On this week's episode of IDEA GENERATION, designer, artist, and entrepreneur Marc Ecko takes us on a journey from his days as a young airbrush artist in New Jersey, to launching a $500 million brand in Ecko Unlimited, to creating the culture-defining Complex Magazine, to becoming a best-selling author and philanthropist. And it all started with one idea.

Act I
00:00 - Intro
1:20 - Family Influences and Entrepreneurial Spirit
2:22 - Growing Up in Lakewood, New Jersey, and Embracing Culture
3:34 - Discovering Art, Illustration, and Graffiti
4:01 - Exposure to Influential Artists and Finding Inspiration
5:12 - The Origin of the Name "Echo"
6:40 - The Start of Echo Airbrushing Business
7:47 - The Beginning Path
8:32 - Balancing Expectations from Parents
9:30 - Searching for Identity in College
10:16 Getting Recognition from Red Alert
11:45 Who’s Your Role Model
12:06 Meeting Seth Ginsberg and Forming a Partnership
15:12 Learning the Nuts & Bolts
15:40 The Clothing Role Models of the 80s & 90s
16:06 Exploring the Meaning of Ecko Unlimited
17:23 The Origin of Ecko’s Logo

Act II
18:05 - Staying Optimistic during Business Struggles
19:18 - The Philosophy of Loving the Problem, Not Just the Idea
19:31 - The Challenges of Fulfilling Orders and Maintaining Margins
21:50 - Ethical Sacrifices and Financial Struggles
24:01- Learning from Mistakes and Having a Growth Mindset
24:03 - Expansion into Gaming and Publishing Industries
27:45 - The one quality you hold the most onto
28:12 - Launching Complex Magazine
29:05 - The Emotional Challenges of Stepping Back or The Dull Period
29:45 - Factors Leading to Business Challenges
31:20 Facing Burnout
32:02 - Settling Affairs and Separation in Complex

Act III
33:30 - Complex's Potential & Mark Vision
34:47 - The Birth of ComplexCon
35:15 - Controversy of Complexcon
36:05 - Engaging with Takashi Murakami & Pharell
36:25 - A True Visionary // Philosophy of Markets
36:51 - The Introduction & Fascination of Web3
38:12 - Belief in Redesigning System
38:45 - The Emotional Payoff of Complex's Success
40:50 - Embracing Philanthropy
42:00 Launching XQ
43:43 Advice for Young Creative Entrepreneurs

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Credits

Noah Callahan-Bever
Creator & Host, Idea Generation

Starring: Marc Ecko

Musical Director: A-Trak
Animations by: Sang Bleu / IDEA GENERATION

Executive Producers: Helena Ox, Tricia Clarke-Stone and John Walaszek
Producer: Jack Erwin
Creative Director + Editor: Kyle Gaughan

Produced by: Cowboy Bear Ninja
DP: Adrian Selkowitz
Producer: Miguel Drake-McLaughlin & Matt Semel
Production Coordinator: Rob Santos
Cam Op: Collin Brazie
1st AC: Ginny Taglia
Sound: Paul Gibek
Gaffer: Thomas Chaves
MUA: Etzel Eclseton

Special thanks to:
Tracy Tademy

In this video, I talk with Marc Eckō, the founder of Ecko Unltd. Marc tells his story of entrepreneurship, artistic expression, and nearly losing it all. He talks about the importance of retaining creative control, and how being complex can help you overcome any obstacle.

#marcecko #complex #entrepreneur #ideageneration #complexcon #gettingup