What Starting My Own Country Taught Me About Business

Yes, I’m the guy (along with my best friend Randy) who started his own country.

No, really. We have land, laws, a national border, passports, over 30,000 citizens around the world—and a strict ban on Crocs. We’re called Slowjamastan, and I’m the Chief Border Patrol Agent. I even turned my truck into an official-looking patrol vehicle. It says “Porder Batrol” on the side.

Now before you Google whether this is a prank (spoiler: it’s not), let me take you back to where this all began—with a simple question:

“Why not start our own country?”

That single question changed my life.

It’s the power of asking that kicked off an entire nation.

Most people never get what they want because they never ask. They don’t ask their boss for the raise. They don’t ask for help. And, they don’t ask life for something bigger.

I asked.

And everything that came next—from becoming a motivational speaker, to building a thriving corporate trivia business, to founding a nation with global reach—was the result of asking boldly, unapologetically, and creatively.

How a Passport Stamp Turned Into a Movement

I’m a national speaker, former radio host, and live trivia game show creator. My best friend Randy is the guy who traveled to all 193 UN-recognized countries.

One day, after reaching the final one, he called me up and said:

“Mark… I’ve traveled the entire planet. Want to start our own country?”

Without hesitation, I said yes.

That was the goal. And like all great things in my life, it started by setting a vision, taking it seriously, and never worrying about how—just believing it was possible.

We declared independence, designed a flag, made up hilarious laws, and the world took notice.

But here’s the secret: Slowjamastan isn’t just satire. It’s a social experiment in unity, joy, and retention. It’s a reminder that people need to feel connected, seen, and part of something bigger—even if that something includes laws against feet on the dashboard and incorrect string cheese behavior. (Yes, there’s a right way to eat string cheese. You peel it. No exceptions.)

Crocs Are Banned, But Connection is Mandatory

What makes a country—or a company—unforgettable?

Culture. Humor. Connection. And retention.

Slowjamastan works because it brings people together through fun and shared values, even if those values include outlawing Crocs.

It’s the same philosophy I bring into my work as a speaker and live trivia host. I don’t do cookie-cutter keynotes. I build experiences.

At corporate events, I show up in full border agent regalia, complete with gold shoes and high-energy trivia that gets everyone involved. I’ve seen entire teams transform in under 30 minutes. Coworkers high-fiving, CEOs laughing, and introverts shouting answers with confidence.

This isn’t fluff. It’s mental wellness in disguise, a cure for Zoom fatigue, burnout, and the great resignation. People don’t leave companies when they feel valued and connected. They stay. They become loyal citizens—just like in Slowjamastan.

What the Border Taught Me About the Boardroom

I’ve hosted thousands of trivia events and spoken to audiences from NATO to nationwide brands.

And here’s what I’ve learned about leadership, goal setting, and business culture:

Goal Setting isn’t about how. It’s about deciding. You decide the goal, then let the how reveal itself.
The Power of Asking changes everything. Asking the right question can spark nations, close deals, and spark joy.
Retention is an emotional game. People stay where they feel something.
Engagement starts with energy. If your workplace feels dead, it probably needs music, trivia, and some border patrol humor.
Bonding isn’t built in meetings. It’s built in the in-between moments—games, stories, laughter.

A Micronation With a Mega Mission

Slowjamastan may be built on satire, but our mission is real:
Make people smile. Make people stay. Make people matter.

It’s what I do at every event I speak at. Whether I’m delivering a keynote on goal setting, retention, or creating unforgettable cultures, or hosting a high-energy trivia game, my message is clear:

Ask more. Connect more. Retain more. Laugh more.

Because whether you’re running a company or founding a country, if your people don’t feel like they belong, they won’t stick around.

But when you create something magnetic—even quirky—they’ll never want to leave.

Just ask our citizens.

Ready to turn your next event into a nation-sized experience?
📍 Book me to speak or host live trivia at your next event.
🎤 Let’s build something unforgettable—no Crocs allowed.