Meet Marcius Atkinson | Principal of Hybrid Comforts by Marc, LLC & Simply Human

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marcius Atkinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcius, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting this business began with loving another person; it then became a great therapy session into understanding me.
I initially began by combining simple oils, and essential oils for scent, for massages. My ex-wife had very sensitive skin and I began learning about the affects of different scents. Even now, I am learning that adding a little Eucalyptus to a scent adds an energizing sensation to a mixture.
I grew up with Cocoa Butter and Vasoline. Not understanding what that does to pores over time, without proper education can lead to some negative reactions, so I started looking into how to make the oils more solid by adding Shea and Natural Cocoa Butter. I wanted something that I could easily make at home that was healthy for everyone’s skin; besides, with my collection of essential oils, I was understanding how to scent my products.
After the divorce, I had to stay busy. I was a single father with custody of my son.
Oddly, at the same time that he was talking about becoming a Youtuber, we were about to be quarantined, I was offering my products as gifts, and someone asked me if I sold them. Never once did I think to sell anything that I had made. I wasn’t an entrepreneur was the thought in my head; but it lingered.
Again, I am raising my son, and listening to his wants, so I take it upon myself to learn about podcasting, videoing, DMCA, all the stuff that could get him into trouble. While attending Youtube University, I am also learning more about different types of oils and butters, experimenting on how they combine. Mind you, I am giving samples away perfecting my craft. The unfortunate thing was that I was waiting on other validation of my work.
Two years after my father died, during a conversation with my brother, after listening to my story for the first time, funnily, he said that I was a “Cosmetic Chemist.” After a few more questions, he asked me if I watched Shark Tank because he said that I was an entrepreneur.
It is different hearing words from a respectable source. It is empowering.
So, looking at all of the knowledge that I had collected, and in all honesty, looking at my son, the question that I will and have struggled with was, “Why can’t I?” The answer has always been fear.
Facing my fears, believing in myself, and trying to be an example to my son has been the consistent thing behind my business. Sometimes you can fall, but never stay down.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is cooking. My art is science and math. My art is also consistent learning.
When I first began, my product was not vegan. It was natural and organic, but not vegan. After researching, and making a few modifications, I had an all encompassing butter. After I learned about how to make a sugar scrub, I researched the properties of that butter and added it into my own, Several of my main ingredients are in the mix because another artist used it in theirs. This allows my base to evolve as time moves forward. It also provides alternatives for custom orders when an ingredient may not react well with an individuals skin.
I love that that because of all the knowledge I researched, the base butter is the source of all of my products.
Learning about infusing herbs into oils was actually really exciting. When I learned that the body butter was great for someone’s scalp, I looked into infusing specific herbs into specific oils, and then combing it into the body butter, I evolved the butter into a beard/hair oil.
Combining oil and Aloe water was by far the hardest and most rewarding. I was challenged by a survivor to make an Aloe Whip with my butter. After very many mistakes and hours, I have two more completely different products than what I began with. With a deodorant that has been just completed, soap adventures on the way, this hobby has become a life changing event.

Getting to this point has been difficult. I can honestly say that my worldview has completely changed to a degree. Breaking the mold that you place yourself into is hard, sometimes even crippling. I find that listening to others, trying to find the relationship bridge of their struggle and my own, helps me keep motivated because I wasn’t the first, and perhaps these words will help the next.

I am now at a point where I am trying to seek to fail. Not monumentally, but I know I need to be more out in front of my business. I have always been a great supporter to causes other than my own. If I am willing to do that for others, why can’t I for myself. I know how to get up and dust myself off, I have been doing it for years, I figure it is time to do it with guided purpose to learn, for myself.

My brand and my story is continual evolution.
My brother summarized my father’s life in a few words, “Be better a you, than you were, the day before.” Yesterday was any adjective, but it doesn’t have to be today. In this life, success is an absolute if you are able to learn the lesson. Asking the question, “Why can’t I,” within reason, will either motivate you to move towards the desire destination or having you stand on the sidelines.
I simply got tired of having ideas, the knowledge, and the ability to do something, still asking the question, “Why can’t I?”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is an unfair question. Whenever some of my friends visit the town, I am the cook.
I like the view from downtown Greenville while having a few drinks at Up on the Roof, the wings from Wingnutz in Fountain Inn, and some of the best Carne Asada Tacos from Supermercado in Mauldin.
I like the cigar and hookah scene in CigarX in Mauldin as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
James L. Atkinson – Father(Deceased)
Brenda J. Atkinson – Mother
Travis B. Atkinson, Esq. – Brother
Tyler D, Irby-Atkinson – Son
LaQuana(LaLa) Black – first actress to give me a fragrance and chance.
Jameka Murphy – 24K Productions
Herman McCollough – Randomviewz Photography – Product Photography
Diamon Shiflet – DShiflet Productions – Personal Photography
The person I always forget recognize – Marcius Atkinson

Website: https://www.hybridcomfortsbymarc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hybridcomforts?igsh=ajBtMjg0OXFmcWNy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18KDJvmxXb/

Image Credits
Sugar Scrub in Palms – White Owl Studios
Products – Randomviewz Photography
Owner Shot – Dshiflet Productions