Meet Marcus Nobles

Whitworth Cadre Four
'10 Marketing Major
Wilson High School '06

Business Cents

As a child, Marcus Nobles went door to door and stood outside of grocery markets selling World’s Finest Chocolates. Now, he runs Royal One Travel, an online travel agency, as CEO. “I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” Marcus said. “I love doing business.” Marcus said he honed his leadership capabilities using a “businessman mentality.” He said learning how to be a leader through the business world influences how he speaks, how he dresses and even down to the stride of his walk.

College life

Marcus’ passion for business followed him to Whitworth University. As a Marketing major, he said one of the best things he loves about Whitworth is their business program. “There is a portion of really friendly people and faculty,” Marcus said. “I gained from good relationships.”

Like many college students, Marcus’ experience at college so far has been a mixture of both the good and the bad. “It’s been alright –­ I wouldn’t say ‘peaches and cream’ because it hasn’t been,” Marcus said. “There have been some good times, and there’s been some times where I’ve been a little down.”

Act Six Opportunities

After finishing his freshman year at Whitworth, Marcus landed an internship at the Port of Tacoma, one of the leading North American seaports. Marcus said because of Act Six, he was “blessed with a good internship with excellent pay” at such an early time during college. He said Act Six has created many opportunities. “

“It’s an honor and privilege to be part of this big movement (Act Six),” Marcus said. “It’s crazy ­– you start hearing the word on the streets now and people say a lot of good things about the program.” Along with utilizing Act Six’s resources outside of school, Marcus has also found ways to stay active on campus. He was elected Black Student Union treasurer his freshman and sophomore year of college and has been elected again for his junior year. Also, Marcus’ musical talents that were cultivated during his years at his church in Tacoma have carried over to Whitworth. He is the drummer for Whitworth’s Gospel Choir, Exceptional Praise.

Hopes for the future

His drive and motivation are only some defining characteristics he described himself possessing. “I have a lot of goals I want to achieve,” Marcus said. Once he finishes his college education, Marcus hopes to be a marketing representative for a reputable company and already applied for job positions at Nike and Apple. “I’m not trying to be some huge millionaire in five years, but I’m trying to work hard and climb up the ladder,” Marcus said. “I’m trying to be places and do things not a lot of black men get to do or be.”

One of the things Marcus said he is going to take away from the Act Six and college experience is the importance of charity. “Act Six helped me and they weren’t stingy with what they had and they always give.”

By YONG KIM
8/12/08

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