Meet Brian McKinney | Business Owner & DE&I Champion

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian McKinney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, how does your business help the community?
An unintended consequence of owning a restaurant has been inspiring other people that look like me. I’ve had conversations with customers who say meeting me or them knowing that they are eating in a black-owned business has inspired them. People have said that I am showing them and their kids that this is possible. Being one of the black-owned restaurants that helped feed the NBA Bubble made me proud and brought more people in the community into the restaurant. I love being able to have a positive impact on the younger generation.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a partner and cofounder of McKinney Brands. Under the McKinney Brands umbrella, we have MPS Realty, McKinney & Associates Travel, O Ross the Small Biz Engine and I’m also a partner in 1000 Degrees Pizza. The travel agency and real estate brokerage are boutique style where we are able to give our clients many options and excellent service catered to meet their needs. At 1000 Degrees Pizza, what sets us apart is we give the customers the ability to build their pizza the way they want it with unlimited toppings for one price.

I have been able to get to where I am now with a lot of hard work, failing forward and not being afraid to take a chance. It was not easy but I look at the amount of knowledge, experience and wisdom I’ve been able to obtain in the process. I’ve been able to overcome the challenges by not giving up, staying the course and being agile. We’ve had to work long nights, learned how to pivot, and have had to carve out space against larger companies. I have learned some valuable lessons on this journey; trust the process,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some great places to visit if you come to Orlando are the Orlando Eye on International Drive, The Wells Built Museum and Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando and there are plenty of places to eat. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention 1000 Degrees Pizza in Winter Garden. There is something to do for everyone here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love this question, there are several people, books and groups that have made me who I am but I have to shoutout my family. I’ve said that my wife makes me a better me. She inspires me and pushes me to be the best version of myself. My kids are my constant motivation.

Website: http://www.mckinneybrands.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckinneybrands/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mckinneybrands

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McKinneyBrands