Prayer and hustle are two words Marquis Caines lives by.

He is also actively turning them into a brand.

The 26-year-old Bermudian entrepreneur has applied the sentiments of James 2:17 to his life, in a literal sense.

“We’ve all heard the scripture, faith without works is dead,” he explained. “I’ve just decided to live my life by it.

“A lot of people spend their lives working and forget to pray. Likewise, so many are praying for things without putting in the work. Success requires both.”

The term hustle is often associated with negative or illegal activity, but Marquis wants to change that perception.

“A hustler is just someone who works hard and does what is necessary to achieve. I want people to know that you must put some work behind your faith. Everything you want in life is available to you with the right balance of prayer and hustle.”

Marquis, who is admittedly no longer a regular church goer, has been on a journey of learning and unlearning what it means to be successful as a person of faith.

“I did grow up in the church, although I don’t attend often any more. But I believe in God. I believe He is the creator of all things, and all things are done by Him.”

His belief in God was affirmed in the wake of a bike accident, which left him with a severely broken leg in 2019.

“I was in a horrible accident, but I know God saved me. When I was hit, I was carrying a backpack with my laptop in it. I landed on that backpack and the laptop saved me from worse injuries. That was God.”

“I’ve spent every day for the last two years thinking about that accident and how God spared my life and what I was going to do my life now.”

Since his accident, Mr. Caines has launched a clothing line – Aye Yo! Bermuda – and written a financial literacy book entitled The Game.

“The accident pushed me into my hustle. I was laid up in bed and I started praying for inspiration to make money. God gave me the idea for the clothing line.

“I hopped out of bed on one leg, pulled out my T-shirt machine, and with the help of YouTube, started learning how to design T-shirts.”

The clothing line wasn’t the only inspiration he received during his time in recovery. He was also inspired to share with others the importance of financial literacy.

“I have personal conversations with God every day. I hear God’s voice clear as day. He specifically speaks to me at 3am. That was when he gave me the directions to write the book, The Game.”

The Game discusses how to obtain financial freedom through four principles – growing your wealth, acquiring new assets, managing current debts and expanding your mindset.

The book was featured on MarketWatch, an international business news and financial website, in April of this year. Marquis hopes it will inspire people to start talking about finances within their circles, making the topic less taboo.

“Studies show that the people who are the most financially successful had conversations about money around the dinner table.

“Growing up in black religious families, financial planning is not often discussed. Sometimes it’s taboo to talk about finances. But it is important for people of faith because wealth is a tool for us to expand our spiritual outreach.”

Marquis believes this message of financial freedom was given to him as his specific assignment to share with his peers.

“Another text that has stuck with me is Luke 4:18, which says, ‘The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recover of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.’

“As people of faith, Godly people, we need to be equipped to receive the financial blessings we are praying for. I want to help equip us.”

Marquis launched the Prayer & Hustle collection for people in need of motivation. To purchase a T-shirt, visit ayeyooclothing.com. Follow Marquis on Instagram @milliondollarseus