Entrepreneur, foodie, business leader, athlete Jamaal McCoy values authenticity.
“I was born overseas in Germany, and we were stationed there again on two separate occasions,” McCoy said. “I have lived all over this great country, because home is where the Army sends you.”
After high school and college in Colorado, he moved to Las Vegas, where he lived for nearly 20 years, and where his business life began. Although involved in various businesses while in Las Vegas, McCoy said he spent the majority of his time in the automotive industry.
Before moving to Prescott with his wife and daughter, he was the general manager of Findlay Chevrolet. “The opportunity of relocating to Prescott was presented to me when the Findlay Automotive Group bought Tim’s Auto,” he said. “The idea of moving our family to a small town for a change of pace was appealing to me, so I made the leap.”
His 21 years with Findlay Auto Group, with five-and-a-half years in Prescott, included starting his career as a salesperson and advancing through the ranks to ultimately becoming a general manager and a partner within the group.
McCoy thinks highly of Toyota automobiles. “I actually own three of them,” he said. “Toyota quality is top of the line. They produce reliable, long-lasting vehicles with the top resale value in the market. Toyota is the No. 1 selling manufacturer in the world for a reason.”
His affiliation with Prescott was solidified by his involvement in the Prescott Chamber of Commerce. He has been on the Chamber Board of Directors for five years and also served as chairman of the board.
“I have been involved with numerous chambers during my career and our Prescott Chamber is head and shoulders above the rest. The Chamber’s mission is to be a leader in the community and provide our business community with the resources to thrive. Whether it is looking for opportunities for businesses to collaborate or helping small businesses develop and execute a business plan, our Chamber is ready to be that catalyst.”
McCoy has also reached out to help others as a motivational speaker, which he says he really enjoys. “I believe that there are no limits to what we can achieve. If we have reasons, such as purpose and a why, they will be the foundations to develop our core values. Our core values will define how we operate in life and what decisions we make. If we follow up with meaningful goals, the compass will be set to create the life of our dreams. I believe our book of life is being written, but it is our choice on whether or not we are writing it ourselves or if someone else is writing it for us.”
McCoy has a variety of other business interests focusing on the food industry. He is a member of an umbrella company, Krave Restaurant Group, which houses different brands and concepts. “We believe we have strength in diversity and leverage as a group. We have had the fortune of utilizing the knowledge attained from each restaurant independently to use it for the good of the entire organization.”
McCoy and Krave currently own four restaurants. “Our first purchase was Nana’s Café, which was formerly known as Café 10, and serves breakfast and lunch. Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day and I was a frequent patron of the restaurant before we purchased it. Barbudos Mexican Grill & Cantina was our second purchase. Our family loves Mexican food and always thought Barbudos was one of Prescott’s best kept secrets.”
Additional acquisitions included Vibes Juice Bar, specializing in cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls, and the recent purchase of Lucy Dee’s BBQ, with “amazing” flavors in their smoked meats. “I do consider myself a BBQ snob, growing up with parents who refined their BBQ skills while we moved across the South, including Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas,” McCoy said. “Barbecue has always been a dream of mine and we have big plans to expand our BBQ footprint.”
Both he and his wife are fascinated by food. “I would consider myself a food lover and my wife a foodie,” he said. “That combination has allowed us to set specific goals for food quality while refining the menus within our restaurants. As for my role, I consider myself a consultant to each business. We look for the right person to manage the day-to-day and back them up with a strong kitchen. My involvement is culture, processes, systems and profitability. My wife manages the menus and restaurant ambiance.”
In addition to the food endeavors, a different kind of business has recently been added to McCoy’s business portfolio: Prescott Fit Body Boot Camp. “As a former athlete, I know the impact that working out has on not only your physical health but also your mental health. The formula at Fit Body Boot Camp is 30-minute guided sessions that challenge the body and deliver results in a positive, supportive atmosphere. We combine High Intensity Interval Training with active rest and nutritional guidance.”
Where I Find Inspiration
My inspiration has been, and always will be, my family. Specifically, my mother and grandmothers, who I watched work tirelessly to provide for their families. They instilled in me the drive, determination and focus to achieve at the level that I have. As for a role model in business, I am a huge Simon Sinek fan. He is more of an author than a businessman but his philosophies and teachings I have used as blueprints for how I operate in business.
Favorite Leadership Book for Entrepreneurs
I have three books that I always recommend for various stages in the journey. I start with “The Carpenter,” by Jon Gordon, then “The Go Giver,” by Bob Burg, followed by “Infinite Game,” by Simon Sinek.
Favorite Places to Visit
My favorite place to visit is D.C. because of its thought-provoking architecture and history. My favorite place to vacation is Cabo, Mexico, due to the relaxation, beautiful beaches and amazing food.
Favorite Game
Monopoly, hands down. I love that the average game is going to take you a few hours to play, which means more time with family and friends. I also enjoy the ability to watch how different personality types process decisions to make, whether it is buying property, homes or hotels. Monopoly also teaches how certain financial decisions can affect the game’s final outcome.
Most Admired Character Trait
Authenticity. The true value one can give is one’s self. Authenticity in business results in conveyance of intentions through words and actions. Transparency and understanding build trust among associates. QCBN
By Betsey Bruner, QCBN
Photo by Kay Lyons: Business leader and serial entrepreneur Jamaal McCoy drinks from the well of possibilities as an owner in local restaurants such as Vibes Juice Bar.
