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

Hi Marvin, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Texas and raised in California. My family emphasized early on the idea of working hard and the importance of education as my key to success.

Living in different states and cities exposed me to other cultures and perspectives, so I never felt I should limit myself. My father reinforced the idea of never giving up, no matter how hard things get. I also used the example of my parents starting a business, my father receiving a master’s degree, and my parents continually pushing themselves to improve, which was inspirational.

I had a very active imagination and a natural curiosity as a child. My parents encouraged this discovery at a very young age. I would go to museums with my father to learn about science. I loved science fiction and the possibilities of where science could potentially take humanity. I was deeply fascinated and wanted to help create the things I read and saw on screen.

Learning perseverance has taken me far as well. I’ve taken the challenges and negativity I’ve experienced and used them to motivate me to succeed. And I won’t allow someone’s negativity about me or my ideas to put limitations on what I can accomplish. People carry misconceptions about others’ abilities based on ideas they were taught by society. And in turn, reinforce those misconceptions through their actions. However, I make it a point not to allow that negativity to affect me, which isn’t an easy task, but when you take time to analyze where it comes from, you realize that their negativity isn’t a reflection of your abilities but rather their limitations.

I would say all these things had a major impact on my life and continue to shape my perspective.

What should our readers know about your business?
Savvy Analytics is a data analytics company focused on streamlining business operations for small and medium-sized businesses using AI, automation, and time-saving tools. As a business owner, I think the most precious resource you have is time, and the second is money. We aim to do both.

The company is named after our oldest dog Savvy. Who’s the most loyal, sweetest, and intelligent dog you’ll ever meet. And the cutest! The branding colors are inspired by her as well. The idea for Savvy Analytics came to me while I was working at my former consulting firm. Working as a Senior Data Analyst Consultant I saw that many small organizations (and quite frankly, even large organizations) lacked the tools, knowledge, and resources to develop effective data strategies. I realized that these businesses were missing out on benefits like better decision-making, cost reductions, and increased productivity that come with having a seasoned analyst provide that data strategy. Plain and simple, they didn’t know what they didn’t know. The first step was always missed: having a plan in place and knowing the reason why you need the analytics.
Incorporating and having an idea is easy, executing is the hard part. I had to sit down, gather information, ask questions, and finally commit the time to put it into place. And it’s not the easiest, but you have to stay disciplined.

You have to be willing to put yourself into uncomfortable situations. Standing in front of a group of strangers discussing my business (my dream) was very uncomfortable for me. Growth comes from discomfort. One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Greene:

“The risks you keep taking, the challenges you keep overcoming are like symbolic deaths that sharpen your appreciation for life.”
You have to be willing to keep challenging yourself and taking calculated risks to form yourself into the person you want to become.

After years of working in the data analytics industry, I realized that I wanted to start my own company. It was a daunting decision, but I knew it was right for me. Starting a business from scratch was not easy, and there were many challenges that I had to overcome. However, I was able to make my dream come true thanks to the help of my family and the knowledge I had accumulated over the years.

Two main challenges I still have are tempering my expectations when working with others and learning not to provide too many technical details. Often, I may have an idea that I’m finally able to translate into an actionable plan, but it requires the assistance of others. I find that I want to execute immediately but encounter roadblocks working with other’s schedules, a set of other requirements that may need to be completed from that person (or persons) before getting started, or some other unforeseen incident that occurs. To counter this I set a range of times I want to complete a task.

The other area I had a challenge with previously, but I’ve greatly improved, is translating technical details into more relatable terms. I may be very excited about the details of technology; however, a client wants to know if it’s reliable and cost-effective. Looking at things from the stakeholder’s perspective helps, and being a business owner searching for solutions helps as well. We’re being constantly bombarded with information; we want something clear and concise so we can make faster decisions.

What I want the world to know about my story is that challenging things are not easy to accomplish, but with the right support system and determination, you can accomplish your goals. I want my story to be a beacon of hope for people of color and from non-traditional backgrounds. I want to inspire them to know there is a place in technology and related fields for you. And it needs your perspective.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s a tough one. You could probably spend a week in Addison alone. I’d probably start them out in downtown Dallas, then move my way into the suburbs.

Day 1, I’d go to Ft. Worth: Free Play; it has a lot of retro games and great cider beer. This spot has some fond memories for me as I went there with my brother for his birthday.

Day 2, I would check out Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) during the day, Mesa Maya for dinner then drinks at the Adolphus Hotel. DMA is a great place to learn about other cultures, and there are other areas to explore nearby. Mesa Maya has great food, including one of the best avocado margaritas – a favorite of mine.

Day 3, we would have to check out Addison: Ida Claire and Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant. Ida Claire has a great menu, but their shrimp and grits are the best for me. Lupe’s has a great selection of fajitas, and it’s a great place to hang out and chat with friends and family.

Day 4, The Colony would be on the agenda: LSA Burgers and Puttery. I like LSA Burgers because they have some very unique burgers, and I can’t just say one because there are so many options. Puttery is an adults-only mini-golf course. A great place to relax and play games if you’re wanting something different than a bar scene.

Day 5, I would head to Plano, Legacy Hall, then end the night at Haywire. Legacy Hall has two levels of food and drinks. It’s great during the week if you want to knock some work out. And you have plenty of choices to choose from. One of my favorites is Che Chin’s Hibachi Ramen. Haywire has some great options for Texas-style dishes.

Day 6, we would explore Bavette Grill, then Union Bear, also in Plano. Bavette Grill has delicious short-rib croquettes, salmon cakes, and one of my go-to options, the Butcher’s burger. Union Bear has great food, but they are known for their craft beers, and both have the perfect atmosphere for chatting with friends.

Day 7, I’d finish their tour in Frisco with Nerdvanna and DiDi’s. Nerdvanna, as the name suggests, is great for playing video games or board games. Their menu is from scratch, so great spot to game and eat. DiDi’s is in downtown Frisco and has Blackened Catfish Pontchartrain and Fish & Chips that are delicious. The chef is one of the nicest people. Almost every time we’re there, he manages to greet us and ask how the food tastes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To get me where I’m at today took a group effort. I want to thank my parents for setting a solid foundation for me, the teachers who invested time in me for my success, and my wife for her unwavering support, and being there to provide suggestions, ideas, and my sounding board.

Website: www.savvyanalytics.info

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvyanalytics.info

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/savvyanalytics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savvyanalytics.info

Image Credits
Little Poppy by Heather LeeAnn (photos) Alexia Platenburg: Platenburg Consulting and Communications (website, screenshots)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.