Mark Angel, the renowned skit maker and content creator, shared an inspiring story about employing a friend who once mocked him for his early skit-making endeavors. During a recent interview with Teju Babyface, Mark Angel recounted a pivotal moment when a friend employed at Shell Nigeria had insulted him for pursuing skits as a means of supporting his family.
Mark Angel's journey in skit-making began in 2013, but he truly gained prominence in 2015. It wasn't until the following year that he achieved financial success.
In the interview, Mark Angel disclosed, "I started skit-making in 2013 but hit the spotlight in 2015. In 2015, people started to know about me. I think my breakthrough was in 2016. That was when I decided to do comedy full-time.
"I was doing photography and videography part-time before then. So, I just decided to let that go. It took three years before I blew up in the skit-making business. There were so many times when I was discouraged. But the vision and belief I had were stronger than the discouragement.
"At a point, I started doubting myself because of what people were telling me. I had a friend called Alloy who nearly discouraged me from this life of skit-making.
"One day, I was coming back home from the location with my laptop and camera, and Alloy, who was working with Shell Nigeria then stopped me to say, 'Mark, you intend to provide for your family with skits? Really? This 'foolishness' is your plan to take care of your family? Just wandering and trekking aimlessly with the laptop? At least, pay for a ride on a commercial motorcycle!'
"As at that time, I was investing every money I was making into my craft. Because at that time, the only way you could get ahead was to pay bloggers. I even put one of the bloggers on monthly payment. I paid the blogger N30,000 every month to promote my skits.
"Alloy who was discouraging me back then, now works for my construction company. He works for me now. So every time, I teased him about how he was mocking me during my days as a struggling skit maker."