Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Jarel.
Mark, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My 10-year-old son found a few of my old vintage slot cars and had no idea how they worked. So, I decided that we needed to build our own custom slot car track. We worked on it together and then the racing started happening. Friends and strangers started coming over to race. One day, shortly after the track was completed, someone made me an offer I could not refuse. That’s how it started. I built another one, then it sold, and another, and so on and so forth. I have custom-built slot car tracks in Illinois, Florida, Hawaii, Ontario, all over Los Angeles, and more. I consider my shop a studio where we build anything our imagination can think of. You will find vintage cars, vintage motorcycles, vintage travel trailers, vintage bikes, and skateboards peppered all around our studio. The automotive memorabilia we have around the studio encourages creativity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey of a “Slot Car Track Builder” was relatively easy as I had no idea that this could actually be profession. I just looked forward to building them, and it paid off. I learn something from every track I have built. I try and challenge myself to a new and exciting feature on each track. This keeps the fun alive and the creativity flowing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would like to think I specialize in the impossible. I have heard people say, “Take it to Mark, he can figure it out, or he can build it.” It’s nice to know I have that type of reputation as an artist. As an artist, you always have the thought in the back of your mind: “Am I good enough? Is my art okay? How will it be received?” Now I’m at the point where if it makes me smile, there is a pretty good chance it will make others smile, so I just go for it! Making toys makes me feel a bit like Santa Clause hahaha. It’s a great feeling!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My name has been passed around a bit, and you can find me on the social media platforms YouTube, MAV TV, MotorTrend Network, Wrench Wars, and other cable networks and podcasts. All these avenues have helped people find me and have allowed me to continue doing what I love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jarelbuit
- Facebook: Jarelbuilt
- Youtube: JarelBuilt
Image Credits
Aaron McKenzie
