Marcus Clark Turns Classroom Project into Thriving Business

At just 19 years old, Mashpee High School graduate Marcus Clark is already running a bi-coastal marketing company with offices in Miami and Austin, an entrepreneurial journey that began as a class assignment in high school.

Marcus launched his business at the age of 16 through a hands-on learning experience in Mr. Looney’s School To Career class, supported by the MassHire Cape and
Islands Workforce Board (CIWB).

With four classmates, Marcus started knocking on doors in Mashpee, offering to make free videos to help businesses tell their stories. Though not every door opened, the team’s determination paid off. “We met a lot of incredible people,” Marcus says, crediting the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce for helping spread the word and providing the early exposure they needed to build a portfolio.

Those first projects were more than just practice—they were the foundation of a skillset that Marcus and his longtime business partner, Shadane Howell, refined over the next three years. Today, that high school assignment has grown into EMBR Marketing, a full-service video production and social media agency specializing in the automotive and real estate industries. The duo now works with clients across the country, producing high-quality content using digital photography, videography, and drone imaging.

Marcus, who now leads EMBR’s Miami branch while Shane heads the Austin office, is focused on growth and innovation. The pair are currently seeking funding to develop a “game-changing” software platform that could further expand their impact in the marketing space. He credits much of his success to mentors, including his brother, who built his own brand in the music industry, and Mr. Looney, whose classroom was the launchpad for Marcus’s career. He’s also deeply grateful to the CIWB for supporting alternative pathways and giving students the chance to explore entrepreneurship through real-world experiences.

Despite his impressive accomplishments, Marcus remains grounded. “Maybe someday I’ll go to college,” he says, “but right now, I’m too busy building connections and making things happen.” His advice for other young entrepreneurs? “Don’t be afraid to get out there and ask questions. Just keep asking. That’s how you learn.”

Marcus Clark is a standout example of what’s possible when young people are given the opportunity and encouragement to dream big, start small, and work hard.