Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Walt McKinley, Founder of WMcKinley Consulting, located in Gilbert, AZ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I'm a professional speaker, podcaster, and trainer focused on creating experiences for audiences around the world that lead to dynamic change. Whether it be inspirational events, speaking/training at international companies, Veteran groups, First Responders, or state and local governments, the message for my clients is all the same -to be truly successful, you must create an internally SAFE environment where you can maximize your potential, live happily, and embrace the external success that follows. There are far too many people walking around in quiet desperation, just surviving the day because they are filled with inner chaos and feel like happiness is just out of reach. Internal fulfillment and happiness start with my "4 Keys To Living An Extraordinary Life," and teaching it to others is my life's purpose.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a retired Naval Intelligence Officer who served our beautiful country for 20 years. After retiring, I chose to transition into Corporate America and did very well, ending up as an executive in a Fortune 500 company. I still felt like something was missing, and the impact I knew I could have on this world was greater than what I was doing in my 5-year corporate career, so I decided to make a change. I decided to become a professional speaker, author, and podcaster to be the change I wanted to see in the world.

Monsters In My House, A True story, just rolled off of my fingertips as I wrote my story of extreme trauma and how I navigated the path to healing, changed my generational cycle, and found purpose in my pain to help others. The memoir turning into a #1 best seller is one of my greatest life accomplishments and has led to so many opportunities for speaking life into this world. The thing is, I didn't write my story for me; I wrote it for other beautiful humans struggling in quiet desperation to find power in their story and happiness that's just out of reach for far too many people. Hearing the tremendous feedback and how it helped people has opened up happiness in me that I didn't even know I had missed.

I've spoken on stages all over the world and changed lives because I had the courage to share my story. I create experiences when speaking, using stories to connect to the lesson and create emotional connections with the audience that leaves them knowing they can do the same thing I did, no matter what the obstacles. The thing is, we all have a story, and someone is waiting to hear yours; you just have to embrace the gifts your past has given you to propel yourself into your future and ultimately use your story to save someone's life.

My "Legacy Warrior Podcast," hosted with my wife, is one of the coolest ventures I've set out on. To have my life partner of 26 years share her wisdom with the world and the balance of the masculine and feminine energy between the two of us has absolutely been transcendent. The feedback we get from listeners all over the world has been life-changing for us. It's been great to see my wife, who's supported my multiple careers and been the rock for our family, finally get an opportunity to share her thoughts and get told she's powerful, inspirational, and even has a smooth voice, lol. I love being able to share with her and support her like she's done for me all these years.

Reaching the one person waiting to hear my story to catapult their own journey is what motivates me every day. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in trying to reach everyone at once. Even though I'm intentional about not doing that, I still catch myself looking towards my goal of helping 1 million people maximize their potential in the next 5 years, but then refocus my energy on helping the one person that needs help today. That keeps me grounded and focused on my why of helping change generational legacies.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner boils down to two things. The first is just having the courage to start! It's a leap of faith to start your own business, and at times, being an entrepreneur can be a lonely adventure, but I wouldn't trade one second of it for anything else. The reason I started this Legacy Warrior movement and dove head first into creating my professional speaking business is that I knew the impact it would have on others. When someone tells me I've changed their mindset or even saved their life, it's the most humbling thing anyone can say. Those words have unlocked happiness inside of me I didn't know I was missing, and as much as people tell me I've changed their life, every one of them has helped transform mine. Helping people feel empowered by their own story, find the happiness and internal freedom they've always yearned for, and change their generational legacy is, and always will be, the thing I'm most proud of!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Because of my work ethic, I've always had pretty quick success, and my vision is huge, but with that strength comes one of my biggest opportunities - the lack of patience. Patience is something I'm constantly working on because it allows me to be more present and also play the long game without feeling like things aren't happening fast enough. Building a business is chess, not checkers, and staying intentional with amplifying your strengths and growing your opportunities to get better is vital to sustained success.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

There are so many keys that can help you build a huge business, but as I've built this business from the ground up, I've realized I've been super intentional on a couple of key things that help me tremendously:

  1. Have a goal but not a destination: I will speak life into others until my last breath on earth. A goal helps serve as a compass, but knowing that there will never be a final destination keeps me grounded and focused on the big picture.
  2. Enjoy the journey: I've noticed that earlier in my life, as I had success, there was almost a relief vs. elation and happiness when I accomplished something. Instead of focusing on the goal, I've intentionally shifted my focus to enjoying the journey and celebrating even the smallest wins along the way. It's the little things that add up to big steps, and keeping focused on the little wins is a game-changer to keeping joy in what you're doing.
  3. Gratitude: It's easy to get caught up in your expectations for support from others, timelines for success, or even what you should be doing daily. Focusing on gratitude keeps me mindful of just how blessed I am that I "GET" to live this life. It keeps me focused on those who are supporting me and the success I've already attained. My entire energy is different because of gratitude. Thus the output of what I give and the input of what comes to me is incredible!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://waltmckinley.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walter.mckinley.7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waltmckinleyinspiration/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltmckinley/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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