Interview

Brian McNally’s story begins in the working-class streets of Northeast Philly and unfolds across startup basements, boardrooms, and now an MMA gym. Along the way, he’s built a multimillion-dollar company from scratch, navigated a high-stakes private equity exit, and—just as important—reconstructed his life with the same intention and discipline that defined his business. In this candid interview, McNally shares how hustle, humility, and an unwavering commitment to values propelled him to success—and what’s driving him now in his next chapter.

Q: What was your upbringing like, and how did it influence your early outlook on life and career?

Brian McNally: Growing up in Northeast Philly, my world was filled with hardworking people—cops, firemen, laborers. My dad was a longshoreman. Back then, success looked like a steady paycheck and maybe a union job. I didn’t dream about starting a business. I just wanted to survive. 

But something inside me told me to get out. That led me to Florida for college, where I eventually graduated from USF. That was my first exposure to a life beyond the neighborhood I grew up in.

Q: What did high school sports and working odd jobs teach you?

Brian McNally: I played soccer and lacrosse and was naturally chosen as captain. That taught me early on about leadership. After practice, I’d clean floors as a janitor—15 years old with a key to a school. That discipline was a cornerstone. I learned to grind. To show up no matter what.

Q: How did your professional journey begin?

Brian McNally: After college, I didn’t have a clear career path—just drive. I landed at a three-person staffing startup in a basement office next to a plumbing company. We grew that business to $6M in three years. I was hiring, firing, managing deals, all in my mid-20s. That startup experience gave me a front-row seat to business building. 

Later, I joined a billion-dollar firm, which introduced me to the slower, more political side of big business. It drove me crazy at first, but it taught me patience and how to navigate corporate structure— skills that would serve me later.

Q: When did healthcare staffing enter the picture?

Brian McNally: At the larger firm, I transitioned into healthcare staffing— eventually moving into consulting. That opened doors to working alongside hospital executives and absorbing strategic thinking at the highest level. I soaked it all in. Eventually, I joined a consulting firm, traveling the country with former hospital CEOs. It was like an MBA in the field. 

Q: Tell us how your business was born and the mission behind it.

Brian McNally: In March 2015, my business partner launched our company. I joined by December. We had a clear vision—hit $20M in five to seven years and exit. But it wasn’t just about money. We wanted to build a company rooted in doing what’s right, not what’s common. 

We aligned our internal culture, compensation, and client relationships around that. We designed the business to be bolt-on ready for acquisition. Every move we made supported that strategy. 

Q: How did you overcome challenges and position the company for sale?

Brian McNally: COVID was both a challenge and a catalyst. We realized that our staffing services needed to be tied to client performance—not just filling roles. That insight led us to partner with top consulting firms, who introduced us directly to hospital execs. That was game-changing. We became trusted advisors, not vendors.

Q: Walk us through the exit and what came after.

Brian McNally: We targeted a private equity-backed strategic buyer and aligned the company as a perfect bolt-on. At the time of exit, we were pacing toward $50M in revenue. But exits aren’t easy. We faced unexpected employee lawsuits, a tax complication with our operating agreement, even a class action out of nowhere. It felt like the universe was testing us. 

Still, we pushed through. When the deal closed, I wept—not out of joy, but release. It was the culmination of seven years of pressure, reinvestment, and discipline. For about a month, I was euphoric. Then I got depressed. Without a dragon to slay, I felt lost. That’s when I realized: purpose isn’t found in a paycheck or an exit. It’s internal.

Q: What are your personal KPIS now?

Brian McNally: Every year, I set my top three life priorities. When I ran the business, it was: 1) business, 2) health, 3) family. Now? It’s: 1) health, 2) family, 3) leisure time with friends. Business is fourth. 

I’m coaching my son’s soccer team, spending more time with friends, and focusing on being present. I’m also training for an amateur MMA fight. I’ll be 40, stepping into a cage for the first time ever—not for fame, but to test myself. 

Q: What’s next after the fight?

Brian McNally: I’ve written the manuscript for a book called Dream. Design. Do. It’s about wealth, wellness, and well-being. I was once an unhappy guy in a cubicle who hated his life. Today, I feel like a ball of positive energy. That transformation wasn’t accidental. 

I teach people how to dream big, design their strategy, and do the work. That same approach led to our business exit, my health journey, my improved marriage, and now this MMA goal. I want to show others that it’s possible, too. 

Q: What role does BA play in your life today?

Brian McNally: I come to Board of Advisors not for deals—but for depth. The conversations I’ve had at BA about marriage, fatherhood, purpose… You don’t get those during Sunday football. These are high-caliber, heart-centered people who genuinely want to change the world. 

There’s tactical business help too. If I have a challenge, someone here has the blueprint. But what brings me back is the human connection and the mutual desire to do good.