Anyone who owns a business will tell you the work is often from ‘cain’t see to cain’t see.’ Marcus Cola calls it humbling and warns that you have to be willing to do everything it takes. “I work anywhere from 60 to 70 hours a week,” he said, “…conduct, strategize, and prepare for the down times. There’s alot when you first start. And you need access to capital…We have had to scrape by.” Cola owns Apex Electrical Group, opened in 2020.
Marcus Cola grew up all over the world because his father was in the Army. He is the middle child of nine and claims to be the extrovert in the bunch and the loudest. He always wanted own a business and studied hospitality business management and international business at WSU. He planned to be a chef and even had a scholarship to attend the CIA—Culinary Institute of America, that is. “Unfortunately, I was deployed and found myself in Iraq, since I was also in the military at the time.” He served two tours. After that his life, “…took a turn for the worse…suffering with PTSD and the effects of war. I lost the spirit of humanity for a number of years and contemplated suicide.” Seventeen of the men is his unit took their lives after returning from Iraq.
Cola no longer wanted to finish college and be a chef. Still, he wanted to work with this hands. “I knew I wanted to look back at the end of the day and see the results of my hard work.” He was accepted into VICE, Veterans in Construction Electric. “It was a brand new program for people getting out of the military. It gave me the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship though IBEW Local 46, the Seattle based local.”
Marcus Cola and a coworker started Apex Electrical Group two years ago. The business is certified by the state as an MBE, DBE, and as a business owned by a service disabled veteran (SDVBE). He says the best thing about owning his business is helping others “It extends my reach. And it allows me to work in a team again like I had in the military. I’m the first in my family to own a business.”
Working with Prime Electric, you can thank Marcus Cola for the ability to charge your electronic devices at many locations at Sea-Tac. That was part of an on-call contract with the Port of Seattle. And in the next phase, Apex is planning to expand its scope to excavating for projects which require underground electrical installations. Apex is proud to be part of Tabor 100. “The connections we’ve made at Tabor are great and are helping move our business forward.” said Marcus. “Glad we joined!”
The Port has provided Apex with several opportunities and the firm is doing work in the airport baggage area helping the conveyor belts move your bags to the plane. In addition, Cola points out that his firm is also engaged with both Boeing and the FAA.
Marcus Cola, his wife, and two young sons are part of the non profit veterans’ organization, QMissions, “…that helps veterans who are suffering from PTSD to heal through serving others. “You learn about the effects of war and how to combat those feelings.” Cola also sings and has danced internationally in Kenya, Cambodia, Mexico, and Japan. Cola showcased his hip hop moves and vocals in fundraiser for QMissions. Check it out on You Tube. Go to QMissions, then scroll down to “You’re Welcome.”
Cola hopes for a grant through Tabor’s Business Equity Fund, but right now he enjoys networking at the monthly meetings and the possibility of partnering with other business owners who may need Apex Electrical Group to complete a project. “I believe it’s important to grow with diverse firms.”
Contact Marcus Cola:
[email protected]
509-592-3694
Want to contribute to Q Missions? qmissions.org
