Check out the inspiring stories of Intuit IDEAS program entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities.
Building something more than a deck of cards
E. Mackey started Blvck Spades with a simple realization. The card game Spades is deeply rooted in Black culture. Yet no one had ever designed a deck to reflect how Black people actually play the game.
“If Black people are together in a room, for holidays and birthdays, with food and music,” Mackey says, “they are playing Spades. So for me it was important to create something that represents us.”
Based in Atlanta, Blvck Spades is a lifestyle brand best known for playing cards that are specifically designed for spades. Each deck features an Ancient Egyptian–inspired court and a hierarchy that highlights Big Joker, Little Joker, high two, and low two. Since its launch, the brand has expanded into a broader range of products and collaborations.
Mackey wanted to create something that felt authentic but still resonated broadly. So, to bring his vision to life, Mackey spent months studying ancient Egyptian culture and even traveled to Egypt before finalizing the designs.
Creating connection through culture
Inside every Blvck Spades deck is a message encouraging people to teach someone else how to play. That’s always been part of Mackey’s vision—to bring people together across generations.
He says some of the most meaningful moments have come from hearing how families use the cards to connect, from grandparents to young children learning the game for the first time.
That impact feels personal. Mackey has spoken about being homeless twice during college, living out of his car while continuing to push forward. He was also deeply influenced by his grandmother, who constantly reminded him that he was meant for something bigger.
Growing with Intuit IDEAS
As Blvck Spades grew, Intuit IDEAS helped Mackey strengthen the business behind the brand. One of the biggest lessons, he says, was the importance of bookkeeping and financial organization.
Before the program, he used QuickBooks but was largely figuring things out on his own. Through IDEAS, he worked with experts who helped him clean up his books and gain a clearer understanding of his financial pictures.
“These bookkeepers know their stuff,” Mackey says. “Seeing how granular they get and how much work it takes to get everything right, I really appreciate it.”
He also valued the direct support from Mailchimp. “Being able to call someone and ask, ‘How do I do this? How do I create that?’ is outstanding,” he says.
Beyond tools, Mackey gained access to business coaching that pushed him to think more intentionally about communication, self-awareness, and how entrepreneurs can become bottlenecks in their own businesses. He says the IDEAS program has “helped him become a more complete entrepreneur.”
Looking ahead
Today, Mackey is expanding Blvck Spades into technology with the launch of Blvcker, a Spades app his team spent about two years developing.
Blvck Spades recently celebrated a new chapter with the launch of the Blvcker app, now available on iOS and Android.
The launch signals a move beyond physical products into digital experiences. Blvck Spades is also now in the Atlanta airport, with decks available in Terminal B at Village Market.
Mackey says, “I try to live a life where the things I’ve built will benefit people in a positive way even after I’m gone.”