TRELEXA Spotlight Interview with C.J. Marks - #MyGiving Story

From helping you manage your social media platforms to getting you press releases, Trelexa helps you go from just a talent to a well-known professional using cutting-edge AI-powered technology.

We at Giving Tuesday Japan had the exclusive opportunity to interview the president of Trelexa about why he joined the company, what inspires him to give back, and what his and the company's future goals are.

Take a look at the My Giving Story interview between C.J. Marks and our Global Community Team Leader, Jasmine, below!

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Jasmine: Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us! Let's jump right into today's questions. Can you give an introduction about yourself. Where you are from, what you do, your (and your family's) charitable background (how you give back, WHY you give back, ways you would like to encourage others to do so), etc.

C.J.: I am C.J. Marks. I am originally from San Diego, California, and I currently reside in Kobe, Japan.

As for why I "give back", I think it is important to help people...it is as simple as that. If you are in a position to help people, if you have the means and the ability to help people, when you can...you should.

Moreover, people have helped me along my journey, and continue to help me today. To that end, I would need to be a pretty cold-hearted bastard if I did not help others.

Now, I understand that everyone might not subscribe to this philosophy, and that is fine. However, it is simply how I feel.

While I make it a point to NOT ballyhoo or raise much fanfare about charitable acts that I may be involved in, one of the things that I am happy about, is that I can say that as an undergrad at the University of California, San Diego (U.C.S.D.), while serving as an intern under the guidance of the great Dr. Cecil Lytle (at the time Provost of Thurgood Marshall College) I had a hand in helping to establish what is now known as The Preuss School. Not bad for a young guy.

Jasmine: What is Trelexa?  When was it started?  What is your role? What do you specialize in?

C.J.: Trelexa is an AI-powered authority-building platform, founded by Dr. Sam Sammane in 2023.

My role is the President, and I specialize in presiding.

Oh, I am also an above-average presentation coach and public speaker...in ENGLISH. My superpowers at the art or oration are only applicable and relevant in English.

Jasmine: What is Trelexa's mission? Who is the target audience for Trelexa?

C.J.: The mission of Trelexa is simple: take experts who are not getting the attention that their accomplishments and merits have earned, and help to give them a spotlight, a platform, and presence to be recognized as indisputable authorities in their respective fields.

Jasmine: What services do you offer? What types of services would you like to add in the future?  What areas are your services available in? Do you plan to expand?

C.J.: Among the services Trelexa offers are: 

• Press Release (PR) generation and distribution

• Social media management and post distributions,

• Getting people on podcasts

• Helping people write and promote books

With my involvement in the company, we are looking to do more with public speaking coaching and overall life skills enhancement through "The Life IPO" program.

Jasmine: You mentioned on your website that Trelexa helps you build everything needed to become the authority. Can you tell me what exactly you mean by that and how?

C.J.: Of course.

From helping manage your social media platforms, to getting you press releases, and making sure the content around you is not only SEO but also GEO relevant and accountable, Trelexa helps take you from talented but obscure to a bona fide recognizable, citable, and credible authority.

Jasmine: How do you think the recent AI trends will impact your company? Do you think people will embrace or reject this type of new PR platform?

C.J.: Well, seeing as Trelexa is an A.I. powered entity, the entire premise and platform is driven and influenced by A.I. trends.

As for people embracing or rejecting...well, I recall a time when microwave ovens and mobile phones were not readily accepted by many. Heck, even the steam engine was met with resistance by some in its early iterations.

I say that, to say this; while not everybody is a fan of "A.I. stuff", it would be prudent to learn about the value and merits of A.I. tools and how they can help you in general.

PR, in both senses of the abbreviation (Public Relations and Press Releases), is certainly an area where AI has become an invaluable tool in the current landscape.

Jasmine: What is one of the more challenging aspects of building software?  The rewarding aspects?

C.J.: Well, I am NOT the guy that actually builds (the) software...so in that regard I am not best suited to answer that question. However, from what I do know, despite how much more efficient the process has become, it is still a time-consuming ordeal that does not immediately yield the desired results.

The rewarding aspects, I would have to say, are when you finally do "get it right" and see what you have worked on embraced, accepted, and out in the world helping people.

Jasmine: Where can people learn more about news and updates on Trelexa? 

C.J.: The Trelexa homepage is a great place to start. In addition, I welcome everyone to check out our new app,Trelexa ai, it is pretty cool. It gives you the power to do what used to cost thousands of dollars and take hours, for a fraction of the time and cost.

Jasmine: Have you heard of or participated in Giving Tuesday before coming to TEDXIU? Is there anything you would like to do in the future in collaboration with Giving Tuesday? How can we (Giving Tuesday Japan) support Trelexa?

C.J.: Prior to the Saturday, March 28th TEDx Innovation U event in Tokyo, I had not heard about Giving Tuesday.

So you can now think of my life in two(2) parts...BGT and AGT.

As for what I hope we can do together, if Trelexa can help empower Giving Tuesday with the tools to help get its message out to more people and HELP more people, I (and the company) am at your command.

Want to share your story? www.givingtuesday.jp/contacten