Adversity has the transformative power to create two different types of people. It can break someone, leaving them in the shadow of what could have been, or it can forge resilience, turning pain into purpose. For the 19-year-old entrepreneur and motivational speaker Marquis Hill, adversity fueled his greatest mission — spreading self-love and prioritizing mental health through his brand, Love Yaself Co.
Growing up, Hill dreamed of playing in the NBA, dedicating his early years to pursuing greatness on the basketball court.
Grant LaSalle, a childhood friend and neighbor of Hill, remembers him as someone who always put in the effort to excel.
“Growing up with Marquis he has always been hard-working whether it was in school, in sports, or even with seeing his business grow; he has always gone the extra mile to be successful.”
Even as a child, his determination and work ethic were evident to those around him. But in the summer of his eighth-grade year, an unexpected heart condition shattered his aspirations. “This isn’t just a hobby of mine. This is my dream we’re talking about here,” he said.
A diagnosis of holes in his heart meant the end of his sports career and the need for weeks of recovery. Yet, in that time of stillness, Hill discovered something new: a passion for motivational speaking and empowering others.
“I never saw myself using my voice to impact others in the way I have now,” Hill said. “But moments like that help me discover the fact that there’s so much more for me out here.”
By his junior year of high school, Hill took this newfound purpose into action. He founded Love Yaself Co., a clothing line that inspires others to embrace self-love and prioritize their mental health.
“I felt like clothing was a way that we spoke without saying a single thing, and if I could, you know, share that message every day through my videos, then what I wore could speak volumes as well.”
Hill’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. He admits to wrestling with his own expectations and the pressure to succeed.
“One of my biggest challenges was patience and understanding that the steps that I take today, the seeds that I plant today,” he said. “I won’t harvest today.”
But his authenticity shines through as he balances his roles as a young entrepreneur, motivational speaker and a teenager learning to navigate life.
“I balance it simply by living rather than trying to create for the world,” he said. “I can show my journey, I can be authentic, I can be relatable, and I can show that I’m a 19-year-old kid chasing a dream relentlessly, showing up every single day, pushing this brand.”
A key part of Hill’s journey has been pushing past his fears and comfort zones, particularly in public speaking. His father, Cornell Hill, reflected on how Hill has broken through barriers.
“Even though public speaking wasn’t natural for him at first, he worked tirelessly to overcome that fear, and now he’s inspiring countless others from the stage. Watching Marquis break through barriers and continuously push his limits has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Cornell Hill.
Through Love Yaself, Co., Hill has built more than a brand — he’s cultivated a movement. “It’s so much bigger than just the clothing; it’s so much bigger than the hoodie or the hat. Love Yaself really creates a feeling, and we’re cultivating a community of people who reciprocate that energy,” Hill said.
Whether he’s gifting hoodies to those who can’t afford them or speaking at prestigious events like the Department of Justice Youth Summit, Hill’s impact extends far beyond fashion.
Looking to the future, Hill envisions collaboration with companies like Nike to expand his mission of mental health awareness to underserved communities. He advises those seeking to transform life’s unexpected challenges into opportunities to uplift others.
“If I can give any advice to, you know, somebody in their journey, it would just be like exactly where you are is where you’re meant to be and also where you want to go, you’ll get it when you earn it,” he said.
Marquis Hill’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of self-love, and the ability to turn pain into purpose. Through Love Yaself, Co., he continues to inspire others to embrace who they are and to prioritize their well-being – one hoodie, one speech, and one connection at a time.