Noah Cisneros

As I began my shift selling men’s formal wear at Mr. Mac in 2018, I saw a familiar face come in to purchase his next suit.

Redge Allen is an incredible man with an impressive background in business, marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship.

I offered to help find what he needed, and we discussed how I was attending BYU Idaho, but had deferred the current semester, as I was lost in my career direction.

I had previously worked as a data processing specialist, a salesman, an actor, and in retail. I started as a music major for piano when I went to college, and quickly learned that music would not support my ambitions.

I shared this predicament with Redge as we evaluated a series of silk ties. He offered two suggestions:

1. If my skill set is naturally around communication and business, then dive deep into a marketing degree. He suggested I not take a “communications” major approach, but to get a degree in marketing. A marketing degree would force me to hone in on areas of business I had not yet experienced (accounting, economics, etc). He suggested I use my opportunity at BYU Idaho to do this.
2. He also recommended I continue to work during my time in college. A good marketer needs experience, not just a fancy degree.

I took both pieces of advice to heart and executed his counsel. I am grateful I did.

I worked during my entire time in college, for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. After this conversation with Redge, I started focusing on getting experience in marketing. I graduated with my Business Management & Marketing degree from BYU Idaho with 3 years of marketing experience.

I then later graduated with my MBA from the University of Utah, having pursued the professional format to continue supporting my real-world experience.

I have recently felt compelled to compile a series of marketing principles that have proven most valuable to me in my career.

These lessons are what I would share with a Mr. Mac salesman considering a degree in marketing.

Please comment if you found any of these to be helpful, or if you have any marketing principles you have seen to drive tremendous value in your career: