Houston-based small business owner Mario McCoy – AOF Program Client

The story behind NCMPRBL

When Houston-based small business owner Mario McCoy reached out to Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) for business advising, his modern minimalist accessories brand, NCMPRBL, had survived both the pandemic and a personal health crisis. But survival wasn’t enough. Mario knew his business needed clearer positioning and strategic direction to support sustainable growth. NCMPRBL was built around quiet luxury — objects designed to last, to mean something — and Mario wanted the business to reflect that same standard. 

With a doctorate in organizational leadership, he understood that expertise in one area doesn’t translate to mastery in all. He came to AOF intentionally, drawn by its reputation for practical, experience-based guidance for small business owners. 

Through AOF’s Creators Momentum Business Accelerator, Mario gained a foundation for strategic growth — tools and frameworks that sharpened how he thought about positioning, pricing, and long-term direction. He then deepened that work through one-on-one advising sessions with AOF advisor Chad. 

Chad didn’t just offer theory, he positioned himself as Mario’s ideal customer, grounding every recommendation in lived experience and real-world market behavior. He challenged Mario to rethink how customers with disposable income engage with luxury — not just what they wear, but what drives purchasing decisions. “He asked me, ‘If you go to a museum, are you viewing products? No, you’re viewing a gallery,’” Mario recalls. That conversation led to a complete redesign of NCMPRBL’s website, shifting language from “accessories” to “objects” and repositioning the brand around the quiet luxury lifestyle his customers actually live. 

Some guidance was harder to hear. When Chad advised Mario to stop marketing to customers who hadn’t purchased in years, Mario admits, “It stung.” But across every dimension of the advising relationship — pricing, brand positioning, customer focus, and marketing strategy — the results were tangible: a 30% increase in Black Friday sales in 2025. 

“AOF is not only knowledgeable — they’re relatable,” he says. “They create an environment where small business owners can truly grow. And that leads to real business results.” 

Mario also worked with a second AOF advisor on the nonprofit side of his work, the NCMPRBL Scholarship Fund, reflecting AOF’s holistic approach to supporting small business owners across every dimension of their work. Looking ahead, he is considering accessing capital through AOF to expand his timepiece collection — education before capital, exactly what AOF’s model is built for.