Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian McKinney.
Brian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got my entrepreneurial inspiration after graduating college. I was working for a company and a coworker who was older than me gave me the book Rich Dad Poor Dad. He told me he didn’t want the book back but asked that I pay it forward and give it to someone else. That is where it started. That moment is what eventually led me to put the wheels in motion to relocate from Maryland to Orlando, FL.
After some poor timing, some mistakes and some changes, I never lost the spirit. I’m a hustler and I know that I am here to achieve something greater. My why has changed through the years and my motivation has gotten stronger. I’ve become more of an investor and a businessman.
Meeting my wife Oriel has helped me go to another level. I always said she made me a better me. We realized right away that there was some synergy in our stories and interests. Since meeting, we have gotten married, had two children and now own several businesses. I am part owner of a McKinney and Associates Travel (full-service travel agency), McKinney Property Solutions (Real Estate Brokerage and Investment company). These businesses fall under the parent company McKinney Brands. I am also a partner in a pizzeria 1000 Degrees Pizza of Winter Garden.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road but the road to success is always under construction. My journey has given me the opportunity to see some wins, some losses but most importantly… lots of lessons. As an investor, I’ve lost money on stocks that didn’t perform but I’m happy to say I have also made money. I think the same is true in business. The businesses I own now are not my first. They say you have to fail so you can appreciate when you succeed and I’m blessed to have been on this journey long enough experience both. Some of the struggles have been some of the partnerships have not worked out, not having enough money and not being focused.
Partnerships are tough, I believe you need to have a partner or partners who share the same focus, are just as motivated and can provide balance with strengths and weaknesses. The wrong partner can kill your business before it even gets off the ground. The lack of money sort of speaks for itself. I always have in the back of my mind, scared money don’t make money but there has to be a balance. My approach to money has evolved (for the better I would say) over the years. Learning financial literacy has been a saving grace for me. It has also allowed me to share what I’ve learned with others. I feel like financial literacy is not something taught in schools and was not taught in my family growing up so I appreciate money much more now. You can get lucky and be successful but I find that most successful people have a laser focus. To achieve ultimate success, you have to be able to block out distractions, remain focused and steadfast on your goal.
Please tell us about McKinney Brands.
McKinney Brands was birthed out of a passion for entrepreneurship and the want and need to build and leave a legacy for my children. I wanted to help others while creating generational wealth. They say it’s not a job if you love what you do and McKinney Brands allows me to put the skills I have to work.
McKinney Brands is the parent company that houses multiple businesses. I am also a public speaker on diversity, career development, and business ownership.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was a late bloomer. I was very shy and soft-spoken growing up. I’m the youngest of four kids and I loved watching the Cosby Show. All I wanted to do was play basketball. That was it, just play ball. The discipline it took to become a better basketball player would help me later in life. I was competitive and was a people person and later, I realized I was a connector and being able to relate to people is my superpower. I enjoyed hanging out with friends, going to the clubs to dance and basketball. I didn’t start to come out of my shell until 11th grade and from there, I’ve continued to grow and evolve.
One of the qualities that has been a key to my success is my character. I believe my character and my reputation are what will stick with me forever. Another trait that is part of my DNA is my ability to relate to people with a sincerity and humility that people appreciate. Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote is one that I live by.
Contact Info:
- Website: mckinneybrands.com
- Phone: 407-796-2122
- Email: brian@mckinneybrands.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mckinneybrands/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/McKinneyBrands/
- Twitter: twitter.com/McKinneyBrands
Image Credit:
Emerson McClain of iPose Media
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