We recently had the chance to connect with Rylee Marks and have shared our conversation below.
Rylee, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts early — usually around 5:30am. Ive always found that the way I start my morning sets the tone for the rest of the day, I prioritize structure and routine. I’ll begin with a 45 minute workout, which not only keeps me physically strong but also helps clear my mind. Right after that, I go for a 4 mile walk, which has become one of my favorite parts of the day. Depending on the day I will usually walk with a friend or a group of girls! We like to go to Brunswick Forest or Wrightsville Beach loop and get our steps in!
Once I’m back home, I shower, get ready, and make myself a high protein breakfast paired with a protein coffee. During that time, I’ll listen to something that fuels me — either a self-help podcast like Mel Robbin’s, which pushes me to think about growth and mindset, or a Christian podcast like Christ with Coffee on Ice by Ally Yost, which encourages me spiritually. After breakfast, I sit down to journal, pray, and talk with God. The quiet reflection time helps me align my goals with my values and approach the day with intention. By the time I start my work day, I’m already in a positive, motivated headspace, ready to give my best to my clients and my business.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I founded Rylee Marks Marketing when I was 19 years old in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. At the time, I didn’t know exactly how big it could become — I just knew I loved social media and helping people tell their stories. What started as managing content here and there quickly grew into something that gave me a vision: helping small business owners use social media to grow, connect, and elevate their brands.
Now, at 21 years old and living in Wilmington, North Carolina, I’ve built Rylee Marks Marketing into a boutique agency that specializes in social media marketing for wedding vendors. While I work with businesses in all industries, there’s something unique about the wedding world — it’s built on relationships, creativity, and emotion, which aligns perfectly with the type of marketing I love to do.
What excites me most right now is expanding the way I help clients. For example, I’m currently working on a partnership with the past client who is a photographer, and together we’re exploring ways to package photography and social media strategy. The idea is to give small business owners not just stunning visuals but also the tools and plan to actually use them effectively online. For me, that’s what Rylee Marks Marketing is all about: helping people elevate their business by pairing creativity with strategy!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my mom. She’s my role model, my rock, and my biggest supporter. Growing up, I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t there — whether it was a softball game, dance recital, choir concert, hockey game, or swim meet, she showed up every single time. And she did that while often working 80-hour weeks.
Watching her, I learned that hard work doesn’t mean neglecting what matters most. She proved to me that it’s possible to chase your goals while still being present for the people you love. She raised me to understand that if you want something, you work for it — and if you don’t have it yet, you don’t give up, you work harder. That mindset has shaped everything I do.
Her example taught me discipline, resilience, and balance. She showed me that work isn’t about climbing a ladder or checking off boxes — it’s about building a life you’re proud of and being someone others can depend on. That lesson influences how I approach my business today. I work hard, I show up for my clients, and I chase dreams that sometimes feel out of reach, because she showed me that nothing is impossible if you’re willing to put in the effort.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success never could. Success often feels fast, exciting, and validating, but suffering forces you to slow down, reflect, and reevaluate what really matters.
For me, the hardest seasons of life have been the ones that taught me the importance of pausing. They’ve shown me how to sit with discomfort, reflect on my priorities, and then decide what my next steps should be. I’ve learned that struggle often carries meaning — it shapes you, teaches you diligence, and forces you to grow in ways you never would have if everything went smoothly.
One of the most important lessons suffering taught me is that it’s okay to step back and breathe. That slowing down isn’t failure, but often the thing that gives you clarity and perspective. I carry that mindset into my business too. Whenever I feel stuck or overwhelmed, I take time to pause and reflect, because I know it will help me come back stronger. Success is wonderful, but it doesn’t teach you the same depth of understanding about yourself, your priorities, or your values the way suffering does.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
To answer the question directly, yes, the public version of me is the real me. Everyday I try to show up in the most authentic way possible. That means being myself without filters, doubts, or trying to fit into someone else’s idea of “professional”.
That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Social media in particular can make it hard to be fully yourself, because there’s so much pressure to present a polished version of who you are. But I’ve made it my mission to bridge that gap — to make sure that what people see from me online is the same person they’d meet in real life.
For me, authenticity means being consistent, honest, and grounded. I want people to see that you can be both ambitious and real, both professional and human. I don’t want my online presence to just be a highlight reel; I want it to feel like a true reflection of who I am!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Something I understand deeply — and something I try to remind myself of often is that life isn’t that deep. We put so much pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out, to be perfect, to avoid mistakes. But the truth is, everyone is living life for the first time — parents, friends, mentors, me, you. None of us have all the answers, and that’s okay.
When I catch myself worrying or stressing, I remind myself that life isn’t meant to be lived. It’s meant to be fun, joyful, and full of new experiences. Try the new coffee shop. Take that trip. Start the book that’s been sitting on your shelf. Learn something new. Grow, set goals, achieve them, and then set bigger ones.
Life is about creating, learning, and enjoying the process along the way. Mistakes and challenges will come, but they don’t define you — they teach you. My hope is that part of my legacy will be reminding people not to let fear or pressure stop them from living. Because at the end of the day, life isn’t that deep — it’s an opportunity to enjoy, to grow, and to leave something meaningful behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ryleemarksmarketing.com/rylee-marks-marketing-website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryleemarksmarketing?igsh=b2lqcmhzcXc2M25l
Image Credits
Madison Sardo Photography
Rylee Marks Marketing
