About
"As Long as I'm breathing, I'm not done"
Jacob McKanry started early. At 12, he was already focused on business and figuring things out without much guidance. He later entered real estate in Southern California as one of the youngest in the field, learning through experience.
At 18, he survived an ambush that was planned against him — robbed and shot. He spent months recovering in the hospital. After his real estate career, and at the beginning stages of his tech career, he was defrauded and lost everything, forcing him to rebuild from the ground up.
He did.
Those are just a few of the life-changing experiences that shaped how he sees things.
"As long as you are alive, there is still hope to become whatever version of yourself that you want and build whatever life you want."
It shows up in how he operates now. Execution, discipline, and character. Do things the right way and build toward something bigger than yourself.
His faith plays a role in how he thinks about stewardship and responsibility, and how he shepherds the gifts that he has been blessed with.
Today, he runs SmartCard, is building the Second Chance Foundation, and speaks to audiences ranging from students to executives on motivational speaking, building from zero to revenue, and operating under pressure.
The record.
Started at 12.
At 12, Jacob was already interested in business more than he was school, flipping and reselling bikes, tech, jewelry, and other items through open marketplaces, with just an early drive to build and figure things out.
Started before 18.
At 17, while still in high school, he began real estate courses with the goal of getting licensed the day he turned 18. After completing his studies, including a crash course while recovering in the hospital, he became licensed on 08/20/20 as one of the youngest real estate agents in Southern California at 19.
Survived an ambush.
At 18, he survived a planned ambush where he was robbed and shot. He spent months recovering in the hospital. The kind of experience that forces a decision. He kept going.
Defrauded. Lost everything.
At the beginning of his tech career, he was defrauded and lost everything. Forced to rebuild from the ground up. It became a reference point.
He did.
Rebuilt. Founded SmartCard. Currently building the Second Chance Foundation. Today he speaks to audiences from students to executives on motivational speaking, building from zero, operating under pressure, and what it actually takes to build the business and life of your dreams.
What Drives It
How I
operate.
Execution first.
Ideas without action are irrelevant. The standard is output, not intention.
No excuses.
Circumstances are real. They're also not a reason to stop.
Long game.
Compounding is real. Short-term noise is not worth your attention.
Stewardship.
What you build should serve more than yourself. That's not charity — it's responsibility.