Pallet furniture made with love

Made Pallets was started in late 2017 and aims to create job opportunities and cut off the slavery of debt young people often find themselves in.
Elizabeth Joseph
Elizabeth Joseph – Twenty-four-year-old Mark Jackson is the proud and passionate owner of Made Pallets, which was established in late 2017.

According to the Walvis Bay-born creative, he didn’t take his business seriously until 2018, when he started producing pallet furniture for people on a larger scale.

"People tend to go to the bigger furniture stores and accumulate debt which is difficult for them to pay off. I started this business to inspire and empower young people. One doesn't always have to have a lot of money to start a business,” he said.

He added that he wanted to create job opportunities and to cut off the slavery of debt young people often find themselves in.

He aims to make his products as affordable as possible yet stylish enough to keep his clients happy and coming back.

Self-taught craftsman

Growing up in less-than-perfect living conditions and raised by a single mother, Jackson always reached for higher heights and is reaping the fruits of his labour now with a well-rounded client base and the skill to show for it.

"I can't say I learnt how to make pallets somewhere, but rather resorted to teaching myself. I have been blessed enough to be very creative and I've always made use of that.

“I take pride in every single project I undertake, whether it is for the business or another that involves the community," he said.

Marketing the brand

Jackson makes use of social media platforms like Facebook to market his brand and products. He said on other platforms like Twitter, he didn't see any market so he chooses not to advertise there.

Apart from being a business owner, Jackson is also a part-time physics and math tutor for grades eight to 11.

He credits all the strength and inspiration he has to the men and women around him. He said they constantly push him to do and be better than he is.

"The leaders who surround me inspire me the most. Both in my spiritual and professional life, I am propelled to do better. Also, knowing that I have a purpose keeps me going."

When Jackson is not varnishing his pallet furniture or tutoring, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends, although he doesn't do it as often as he'd like because of the many responsibilities he has undertaken.

The future

There's no doubt that Jackson’s future looks bright. In the next five years, he sees himself as a man who will impact and influence the youth in Namibia and make great changes that will benefit people from all spheres of life.

"I would like to see myself in a leadership position in the corporate world," he said.

He hopes to encourage young business owners and dreamers in Namibia that it's never too late to start something you're passionate about. He further said young people should become more spiritually focused - that way the principles of their business will be solid.

Fun facts

He is good at cutting hair

He would like to become a soccer coach in future

He is good in the kitchen

He is a pretty good soccer player



You can find him on social media @Made Pallets.

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-20

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