Meet McKenna Sgroi of Grand Rapids

Today we’d like to introduce you to McKenna Sgroi.

Hi McKenna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Well, from a pretty young age I always appreciated the finer things in life. Growing up was a little rough so I never had a whole lot, but was always grateful for what I did have. My mom worked really hard taking care of my sisters and I and always tried to give us everything we wanted. Sometimes we got less than we wanted, other times we got more than we probably deserved. When I was younger though I just wanted the things that I saw other kids my age had. The things that a well-off, two parent household could easily afford. I understood the concept of money, but it didn’t always click with me and I would get jealous of those other kids. They looked so happy with the materialist things they had and I wanted that same joy. I, too, wanted the expensive tech, the new clothes, and the lake cottage up north. I didn’t want to be shopping at the secondhand stores, and staying home for spring break. Luckily I grew out of that phase and rather quickly started just being thankful that I had what I did and stopped asking for things I knew I couldn’t have. Truly, I was okay with that once I understood the situation I was in, but my jealousy of those kids never fully went away. My mom was able to occasionally get the things we wanted or would save up and take us on a trip as a treat to us and herself, but once I began to fully grasp what kind of position we were in I started to feel guilty that I was accepting things that weren’t necessities – and that feeling and mindset still carries with me today. Back then and even to this day though, I still believe there is more to life. I’ve always been attracted to expensive items and an expensive lifestyle. Not necessarily for the materialistic aspect (I don’t believe myself to be a materialist. I actually hate the idea of being materialistic and am very much so pleased with simplicity), but rather for the freedom of being able to do what I wanted when I wanted and being able to have the things I desired when I wanted them. I still believe that, and I think that’s a driving factor as to why I do the things I do today. Out of all the things I grew up with, I think the best thing I ever received was the unwavering support of my mother. No matter what I wanted to do, she encouraged me to go after it with full enthusiasm. And I did. When I wanted something I worked hard for it, and almost always put everything I had into getting it. Whether it was saving up every penny I earned to purchase something I really wanted, or whether it was chasing a lifestyle that intrigued me at the time. No matter what it was I always had her support to the fullest extent. At 14 I started writing raps. Throughout high school all I wanted to do was rap. I had always been into music and rap was a niche I felt very comfortable in. I felt like I could be any version of myself that I wanted to be with no limitations. I had no real idea as to what career I wanted to pursue aside from that, and while she has expressed to me more recently that she was concerned with that as my idea she supported me through it the whole time nonetheless, never showing a shred of doubt – well, until I was 22 and unemployed of course; but still fully in support, just concerned for her son. I chased that dream so hard and so long, and still chase it today. It’s become intoxicating. From being an outlet to express myself and talk about the hardships I deal with at different points in my life, to seeing myself evolution of improvement, to the support I’ve gotten from people all around the world – it’s been crazy. Through music i’ve created some of the best relationships, made some of my friends I have in my life today. I’ve also gotten some of the greatest compliments, heard some of the most touching stories, and have even been able to participate in some cool and unique opportunities. Even with the limited success I’ve had as a musician I’ve gotten to experience things most people never will in their lifetimes. The idea of what success looks like in my mind is a huge factor as to what drives the motivation behind the dream, but the main reason I do it, even with not really seeing much success on a large scale, is because it makes ME feel good. It’s the outlet I chose to express myself and it’s the thing I use to work through whatever issues I have going on. It’s also the only place I feel like I can be the person I want to be – no matter what version of myself that is. I can be the vulnerable and honest version of myself that truly exists, or I can be the person I wish that I was – the version of me that exists within myself that wants to be reality but just isn’t. Does that make sense? Regardless, I make music for me and only me, I don’t really need the support or validation of other people, but that part is a major bonus and it does truly give me a reason to keep putting it out into the world. I am truly thankful for every person that has shown me and continues to show me support. The support from both people I know personally and from strangers around the globe is what gives me hope that maybe one day it will change my life. I’m not really discouraged that it hasn’t yet though. The humbling reality of the fact it hasn’t has actually pushed me into other creative areas I now pursue as well which is still keeping the dream of reaching high levels of success very much alive and well. Seeing that music isn’t working out how I originally intended, or at least as fast, has caused me to lean into other things that can still bring me the things and the life I desire. Covid was what really caused the shift though. Being locked inside with nothing to do for months besides hang with friends and not only create, but also consume content on social media. At some point during one of my doomscrolling sessions, I became introduced to business content. That was where everything changed. Stock market strategies, investing how-to’s, business tips and tricks, and content about mindset is what set me on a new path. I knew from a young age a 9-5 job was not in the cards for me – I hated the idea of wasting my life away like that. But as a soon to be college graduate and a very underground artist facing the problem that that may soon become my reality, doomscrolling on TikTok showed me the solution I had been looking for. Fast forward a year, I had met a very talented creative who quickly climbed the ranks and become one of my closest friends. About a year after that we’re living together and we decide to start up a media company together. That idea quickly died out as his motives changed, but I decided to stick with it. Now picture this – i’m 22, recently graduated, I have no job – even after applying to hundreds, a company down a business partner, and a mom calling me to tell me I need to get whatever work I can find because she can’t keep paying my rent due the financial stress it was now causing. I had nothing going for me. I was lost, upset, and I was overwhelmed that my biggest fear was about to become my reality. In the midst of this going on I’m doing my daily social media scroll to avoid the inevitable when I see a post from one of my boys who I make music with. “Need a graphic designer, $3k a month. Tap in.” So what do I do? I call him. A 10 minute conversation later I have an interview setup with a media company in Las Vegas. Within the week I sign a contract for $3,000 a month. A month after that, one of those several hundred jobs I applied for hits me back for an interview. I nail it and am immediately under a second contract doing photography for a booming real estate media company in West Michigan. Between these companies I was introduced to self improvement reading material, the importance of mindset, and thrown headfirst in the real estate industry, and on top of that I was not looked at as an employee or as someone inferior. I was being treated as an equal in a game with people who were playing at a much higher level than I had ever been introduced to until this moment. Now it’s been just over 3 years, i’m 26 now still working very closely with both companies, I’ve made friends with some very savvy businessmen, and I have a new album set to release. If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that if you truly apply yourself and work hard toward the things you want in life, you will get them. It might not be when you want them, but the universe will give them to you when you need them. That’s my story.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. Not at all. I’ve been flat broke, i’ve been lost with no direction, I’ve been on the brink of quitting so many times, but I would never forgive myself if I did that. I have had my pay go from the most i’ve ever made one month to making $0 the next. I’ve struggled with the idea that i’m failing or that maybe i’m just not cut out to be in the businesses I keep trying my luck at. Somehow I keep persevering though. I think my past successes, and application of concepts from the books I’ve read are what give me the mental strength to fight through the adversity the world throws at me time and time again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a business person, I produce media. I take photos, video, and do graphic design both commercially and for individuals. I specialize in those areas doing anything from real estate, to weddings, products and personal projects. As a individual though I make music. That’s my most prized area. Music may not be where I feel like I excel the most but it is the most important to me. It always has been. When it comes to any area of creation though, I think what truly sets me apart is my persistence. I may not be as talented as other people out there, but I don’t stop trying. And when it comes to client work, I do anything in my power to give them exactly what they want every time – no exceptions. If they’re happy, i’m happy. If they’re not, my only goal then becomes to make them happy by whatever means necessary. If they have a vision, I bring that vision to life; just like I do for myself in all facets of my life.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My only advice is just to start. There will never be a perfect time to start and you’ll never feel fully ready. You’ll more than likely feel terrified, actually. But sometimes the only way to learn to swim is to be thrown into the deep end. You may not know what you’re doing right away, but not only is that okay, but it’s normal. You will figure things out as you go along. You have to take some sort of action though, otherwise you’ll never have what you truly desire. Ideas without action will only ever be just ideas. Action is what will make those ideas reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Studiosbcreatives.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmxtivemusic?igsh=eXBoMDB1enczY3d0&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AeSyJEwdG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@realmxtivemusic?si=jHupHSYNq4nsvFWT
• Other: https://youtube.com/@studiosbcreatives?si=ndaM6CWcj1PVefMH