Eli’s journey from the confines of prison to the world of marketing and faith is a complex narrative that embodies challenges, resilience, and transformation. Upon his release, Eli faced a daunting future; his public defender had informed him that an early release from his sentence was “legally impossible.” However, Eli experienced a moment of clarity, a voice within urging him, “I’m going to give you probation.” Remarkably, a judge suspended his sentence, marking a pivotal moment in Eli’s life. This incident reinforced a belief he holds: “It first has to … look completely impossible,” he explains, “and then that’s when God resurrects it.”
After gaining his freedom, Eli initially veered away from his faith, instead immersing himself in the pursuit of financial success. “I just need to put on this success mask,” he recalled, thinking it necessary for others to see his value. This led him to misrepresent his background when applying for jobs, ultimately discovering a talent for sales. His entrepreneurial spirit found expression in various ventures, from selling vacuum cleaners to generating leads for contractors, before he shifted his focus to marketing.
In 2010, Eli joined Icosa Magazine in Denver as a consultant. “He is the most charismatic bullshitter I have ever met in my life,” recounted Jan Mazotti, the editor-in-chief at the time. She remembered an instance where Eli claimed that Kimbal Musk, brother of Elon Musk, had invited the magazine to host events at his restaurant—a claim Mazotti found unfounded after contacting the establishment. Eli, however, has no recollection of this incident.
By 2013, Eli established the Mad Hatter Agency, a marketing firm specializing in crowdfunding campaigns. Early employee Nikko Lobato observed that Eli thrived in sales, reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio’s role in “The Wolf of Wall Street.” However, Eli’s ambitions sometimes led to him “overpromising and underdelivering.” Four clients I spoke to had mixed reviews about his performance; while two were satisfied, three were not, including one who terminated their contract due to “poor performance.” Entrepreneur and author Mike Stemple shared that Eli offered to assist with marketing a course but did not follow through. Stemple noted in an email, “My hope, Eli, is that you understand that your gift to be able to sell anything to anyone … can easily be destructive.”
MATT NAGER
Eli’s personal life mirrored the chaos of his professional endeavors, characterized by tumultuous relationships and substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs. He attributes many of his setbacks to his cocaine use and a “nervous breakdown.” By 2018, as he neared 40, Eli found himself grappling with feelings of failure and contemplated suicide. This turning point came when his mother gifted him a book titled “The Power of Right Believing” by Singaporean pastor Joseph Prince. The book resonated with him and sparked a renewed interest in charismatic Christianity, a movement that emphasizes a profound personal connection with God through prophecy, healing, and other manifestations of faith.
Responding to what he perceived as divine guidance, Eli decided to quit drugs and employed a group of friends and family at his marketing agency, which he rebranded as Grace Led Marketing. He began leading Bible studies with his employees and was eventually inspired to establish his own church named Victorious Grace, engaging with followers through broadcasts on Facebook.
In the summer of 2020, Eli met Kaitlyn, a woman thirteen years his junior, at a party. She was immediately drawn to him, stating, “I just trusted the man with my life.” Their connection was rapid; Kaitlyn claimed to have found faith during their first dinner date, and within four months, they were married and had purchased a house in Denver. Kaitlyn took on operational tasks at Grace Led Marketing, supporting Eli’s pursuits.
However, by the conclusion of 2020, the couple faced financial challenges. Declining income from crowdfunding campaigns and late payments from clients led to financial strain, as Eli grappled with over $160,000 in unpaid taxes. Faced with these mounting pressures, Eli reflected, “I feel like a failure.”
