From high school math teacher to multimillionaire entrepreneur, Mark Pentecost has built a legacy that’s as inspiring as it is impressive. Known as the founder and CEO of It Works!, a global direct sales company specializing in health and wellness products, Pentecost’s journey proves that with perseverance, vision, and grit, anything is possible. As of 2025, Mark Pentecost’s net worth is estimated to be over $200 million, thanks to the phenomenal growth of his business empire and savvy real estate investments.
From Classroom to Boardroom
Mark Pentecost didn’t start out in the corporate world. In fact, his career began far from boardrooms and balance sheets. Born and raised in the U.S., Pentecost was a high school math teacher and varsity basketball coach, balancing his professional duties with being a father of three. But like many driven entrepreneurs, he wanted more—not just for himself, but for his family.
In 1993, he began dabbling in direct sales with Excel Telecommunications, a company that sold long-distance calling plans. Initially aiming to earn just an extra $500 a month, Pentecost quickly found he had a knack for sales. Within a couple of years, he was pulling in between $300,000 and $500,000 annually, allowing him to leave teaching in 1995 to pursue sales full-time.
However, as technology shifted toward mobile phones, demand for long-distance landline services plummeted, and with it, so did Pentecost’s income. By 1999, he had exited the telecommunications scene—but his belief in direct selling remained strong. He knew it was time to build something of his own.
The Birth of It Works!
In 2001, Mark and his wife Cindy Pentecost launched It Works!, a health and wellness brand initially centered around a cloth body wrap product designed for toning. They used connections from their previous sales experience to build a grassroots network, holding live demonstrations across Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina.
The early years were tough. Pentecost poured personal funds into the business to keep it afloat. But by 2005, It Works! found its stride. The company began scaling fast, thanks to its multi-level marketing model, which empowered independent distributors to earn commissions on product sales and team-building efforts.
By the 2010s, the brand exploded in popularity. At its peak, It Works! was generating more than $500 million annually, with over 100,000 independent distributors and more than one million global customers across 19 countries. The company established fulfillment centers in Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with a regional office in Dublin, Ireland. Its sleek 50,000-square-foot headquarters in Palmetto, Florida, is a symbol of the company’s polished growth and professional evolution.
A Private Island and Real Estate Portfolio
Success in business has enabled the Pentecosts to invest significantly in real estate, including a 1,000-acre cattle ranch in Myakka City, Florida, and the Stoneybrook Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida.
But their most headline-grabbing purchase came in 2024: a 104-acre private island known as Little Bokeelia, located just five miles off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The couple bought the property for $14.5 million, adding themselves to an elite list of private island owners that includes billionaires like Larry Ellison, Richard Branson, and David Copperfield.
The purchase wasn’t impulsive. In fact, the journey to acquiring the island took several years. Originally listed for $29.5 million, the property went through several price reductions and failed negotiations before the sellers launched a final push for a quick sale. With interest pouring in from around the globe—China, India, South Africa—the Pentecosts held steady, and ultimately secured the deal with a serious offer and a firm deposit.
The island, complete with private beaches and lavish accommodations, will serve as a personal retreat for the Pentecost family and a reward destination for top-performing It Works! distributors. It’s a fitting symbol of how far the Pentecosts have come—turning a dream of earning a few hundred extra dollars into an empire that funds island getaways.
Family at the Heart of the Business
The Pentecosts have always emphasized the importance of family. Mark and Cindy, who have been married for decades, built It Works! together, often involving their children in various aspects of the company. The couple’s approach to business has always been people-first, valuing connection, recognition, and personal growth for both staff and distributors.
Their commitment to family extends beyond bloodlines. Top sellers and employees are regularly treated to high-end retreats, incentives, and even trips to the newly acquired island—a move that reflects their dedication to celebrating those who help drive the company forward.