Success in entrepreneurship isn’t about where you start – it’s about resilience, vision, and the ability to rise after every fall. Few people embody this spirit as powerfully as Mary Seats, also known as Mz. Skittlez. From launching a fashion brand with just $300 to becoming a branding powerhouse, her journey is a masterclass in determination and strategic growth.
Mary Seats was not born into wealth, but she was born with ambition. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, she always had an eye for fashion and branding. From a young age, she showcased her creativity by selling clothes for dolls, unknowingly foreshadowing her future as a fashion mogul. But dreams are rarely met with instant success. Mary had to work her way up, often facing skepticism from those who couldn’t see the vision she had for herself. However, she never let doubt define her path.
Her first major opportunity came when she worked as an assistant stylist for an international music tour. This experience exposed her to the fashion and entertainment industries and allowed her to build relationships with celebrities like Missy Elliott, Da Brat, and Lil’ Kim. These connections would later prove instrumental in growing her brand.
Beyond her entrepreneurial journey, Mary’s personal life has also played a significant role in shaping who she is today. She is married to Tony Seats, an entrepreneur who shares her vision for success. Having a partner who understands the highs and lows of business has been a major support system for her. Mary has often spoken about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who uplift you. she once said:
“When you have a dream, you need a team – whether it’s in business or in life. You need people who see the vision, even when it’s not yet clear“
In 2011, with only $300 in her pocket, Mary took a bold leap into the fashion industry and launched Cupcake Mafia, a streetwear brand designed for women who exuded confidence and empowerment. She didn’t have investors or a large team – just creativity, relentless hustle, and a keen understanding of branding.
What made Cupcake Mafia stand out was its unique storytelling and aesthetic. Mary leveraged social media, guerrilla marketing tactics, and her celebrity connections to turn the brand into a global phenomenon. Within a few years, Cupcake Mafia was being sold in over 800 stores across 69 countries.
Reflecting on her early days, She said:
“I wasn’t waiting for a big investor. I built this with what I had. Too many people wait for permission to start – just start”
Just as Cupcake Mafia was reaching new heights, Mary faced her biggest challenge yet. After partnering with an investment firm to scale the business, she was unexpectedly fired from her own company. The brand she had built from the ground up was now out of her control. For many, this would have been the end of the road. But for Mz. Skittlez, it was just another chapter. She fought back, refusing to let her dream be taken from her. With unwavering determination, she repurchased Cupcake Mafia for $60,000 – proving that no setback was too big to overcome.
Rather than dwelling on her loss, Mz. Skittlez saw an opportunity. She realized that her greatest strength wasn’t just designing clothes – it was branding, marketing, and creating experiences that made people connect with products. In 2015, she launched The Icing Agency, a branding and marketing firm designed to help businesses, particularly female entrepreneurs, build and scale their brands. Her expertise in branding quickly attracted major clients, and her agency became a sought-after name in the industry.
Mz. Skittlez didn’t stop at marketing. Seeing a gap in resources for female entrepreneurs, she founded The Bakery CoWork, a co-working space designed to foster a community for women in business.
“I needed support when I was coming up. I needed community. Now, I’m creating spaces where other women don’t have to feel like they’re doing this alone “
she shared.
Today, Mary Seats is not just a businesswoman – she’s a mentor, speaker, author, and role model for countless entrepreneurs looking to build their own success stories.
For any aspiring entrepreneur reading this: Don’t wait. Don’t doubt. Just start. As Mz. Skittlez herself said:
“You are the brand. You are the business. Act like it”
Sources: Forbes, Billion Dollar Moves, Black Enterprise
