Ten Questions with…………….Mark Bryant
Mark Bryant is president and CEO of The Bryant Group, an National Executive Recruiting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. Mark was born and raised in the Hoosier capital, attending John Marshall and Brebeuf High Schools. While in high school, Mark was chosen to be a congressional page for Indiana Congressman Andrew Jacobs.
Mark attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in Finance. While at the university, he met his lovely wife and together they have a beautiful daughter. Mark came back to Indianapolis to begin his career, surprisingly not in Finance; but recruiting, at Martin University.
His stint at Martin University, eventually led to Mark starting his own firm, The Bryant Group. Mark Bryant is a board member of the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and a leader in his community. Mark recently took time out of his busy day to sit down and talk about his business, his desires and his life.
Q: Are there added pressures being a black entrepreneur?
Yes, there are added pressures. While most pressure for me is internal there are external pressures that most don’t see. Most won’t ever see the loan that’s not granted or the line of credit that is cut off. Most won’t hear the voices that call for me to quit. Most won’t even feel a sense of freedom because of their basic need to survive. The pressure many times is succeeding without the proper tools and adequate support yet still succeeding. For may black entrepreneurs, this frequent journey that allows them few chances and even fewer mistakes. My journey will not be measured by what I obtained despite the pressure but rather the seeds that I sewed to enable others to find the gold that I have found.
Q: How did you decide on HR/Executive Recruiting?
I came back to Indianapolis after college and landed in a few sales and marketing positions. I worked for a while in a professional recruiting firm for two and a half years; and I decided to strike out on my own. On February 14, 1995, I started my own business and The Bryant Group was born. My first client and one of my strongest supporters is an African-American health care company called Caregivers. Caregivers “Claudia Chavis” gave me the opportunity to open my eyes to opportunity, flexibility and a bright future.
I wanted to plant a seed of “legacy” that would allow my family, employees, and friends to prosper. . My goal is to create general wealth. My family, career, and business have been the greatest blessing I could ever desire. They have sustained me through good and bad times. I recognize that God has been my inspiration and the reason for my success. I hope I’m a role model for others who come after me, to help give them the strength to pursue their dreams.
Q: Have you been a mentor to anyone and do you have a mentor?
Yes: I mentor 3 – 4 business owners on an formal and informal basis. I mentor and advise them on difficult issues that we face in business like finance, credit, strategic planning and growing their businesses. My message to these business owners, and anyone who is interested in starting a business is to have an exit strategy before you start and never say no to your dreams.
While I have had many educators, business associates, and friends that have played a key role in my growth and development the greatest person that has made a critical difference in my life is my dad. He taught me to love and to always give back to my community. He showed me that life was not about how much you obtain but rather the special experiences that you create. He taught me the responsibility of being a man, better listen to speak, and to never let your circumstances determine who your are or will be. Mentors don’t come better than the father I have.
Q: If you could spend time with any African-American from history, who would it be and why?
I’d have to say…Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King, Jr.
I’d like to have the opportunity to talk to Thurgood about his struggles and learn from his insights. I would like to hear his thoughts on the law and learn from the determination that he had in life to succeed, and what process he took to make his most critical decisions. I would ask Justice Marshall what would be most critical to you if you were living today.
From Martin………again, I’d like to know what would he change in his life if he could. I would inquire about his struggles and listen to his insights and opinions on political, economic, social, and educational equality.
He lived in such a tumultuous time. I’d like to know and hear about how he dealt with injustice, and the mental and physical pain of trying to get equality for an entire race of people. I’d like to know at what point did he resolve that he might loose his life and his family. I would ask what do you think of your dream today.
I would like to like to ask both if they ever realized that one person could make such a difference in the life and growth of America.
Q: What types of positions are your clients trying to fill and are they asking for diverse applicants?
My clients are looking to fill positions from general manager to CFO (Chief Financial Officer), and these positions earn salaries up to $300,000 a year. I see people of color holding these positions, and being sought after for these positions. Many of the most needed positions occur in engineering, nursing, finance, and information technology.
All of my clients are asking for diverse applicants. They realize that having diversity within their corporation is an economic imperative. In this global economy, if you want to succeed, you have to be diverse and be able to speak to the masses in their language and culture.
Q: In 2006, is the job outlook in Indiana favorable or is it in decline?
I’d say both. Manufacturing jobs are in decline in Indiana, and across the country while the Service industry has seen its numbers increase. My concern is that while we may increase in net jobs we take a greater loss in net and average pay. This causes Americans to save less, buy fewer homes, and have fewer ownership opportunities. African Americans typically have twice the percentage rate than non-African Americans.I also see a slide in the number African Americans who hold decision-making positions.
We as a state aren’t doing enough to ensure that quality education is accessible and affordable to everyone. We can’t have programs like “No child left behind” and not fund the programs we believe in. We can’t grow as a state until we recognize that we are only as strong as our weakest link. We must think globally and act locally to ensure business; political and educational opportunities are afforded to the least of ourselves to grow our state.
Q: What is your passion?
My passion is people. My desire to see people realize their individual dreams, as well as realize dreams for their families; that’s a passion of mine. I am grateful that I can assist people in that process, in some small way. I feel like I am planting seeds or laying the groundwork for people to succeed.
I’ve been very blessed to be able to do a work that I love, create a future for my family, and seek to make a difference in others lives.
Q: How do you like to unwind in your free time?
I like to travel, both abroad and domestic. I have a passport in hand, ready to travel! I like to read, especially African-American history; as well as about our “African-American Present”. I love to read articles that are based on finance.
I love to attend sporting events, basketball and football. I like to play basketball. I can still “shoot the rock”, a little bit (smile).
Q: Do you find companies are embracing diversity or just giving it lip service?
I see both. There are companies that realize that employee diversity positively affects their bottom lines. However, there are some companies that “put up a nice picture”; and have a representation in their companies, but don’t follow through.
If I see minorities on the boards of companies or head of divisions, then I know that they see the big picture.
I visited a Texas company that spoke of their routine meetings where there were people from Africa, Russia, Mexico and Japan. They are a global company that is soaring. They, and companies like them; get it, but not everyone does.
Q: Who is Mark Bryant?
Man…Mark Bryant is the biggest dreamer you’ll ever meet! He has goals that are phenomenal, and he has a passionate desire and a thirst to succeed. Mark Bryant has a caring heart, sometimes a little “too caring”; and he loves to have fun! I love being around people with a desire to succeed and to help others, and that’s what we do.
Most importantly, I am a man that loves God and his family and will do anything for them.
