Formidable Men Magazine recently caught up with Bob Mackey, a founding inventor of Yono Clip, to give our readers insight into his life, his path and his journey to success. He did not disappoint. Let’s dive in.
Everyone wants to take the credit, but no one settles for taking the blame when things go wrong.
Born into poverty in the small town of Center, Georgia where he soon learned that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Raised by his grandmother, uncle, single mother, single step-dad, and “whoever was off work at the time,” Mackey soon realized that the odds were stacked against him. Like many at-risk youth, Bob was in danger of becoming a dropout statistic and that he did. Despite being placed in an academic program for gifted students at an early age, Bob spent much of his school days in in-school suspension.
By the age of 15, Bob was well on his way down the road to failure, affiliating with the wrong crowd and neglecting his once-promising educational future. But failure was not an option! Bob attended Clarke Central High School and became the first and only child out of his six siblings not to graduate high school which fueled his passion to become the only sibling to graduate from college, receiving his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice. Bob’s record of service to youth is impressive for such a young man and has become a hot commodity in the field of youth development.
Mackey is an idealist and a founding inventor behind the product, Yono Clip. Fueled by his passion and determination to make a change, this notion would help him become the only child out of his six siblings to graduate from college, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Mackey touts an impressive record of service to youth dating back to 2005-2010 when he worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice and the State of Georgia.
For the past 15 years, Mackey has served as the Regional Director of Education, Senior Club Director, and Director of Training for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia/Metro Atlanta, where he has been credited for providing academic scholarships to underprivileged youth, increasing graduation rates for students by 87%, decreasing school discipline referrals by 50%, and decreasing juvenile delinquency rates by 30%. In 2017, Mackey was named the President & CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia (Budget size – $2.7 million managed up to $7 million dollars in federal funding).
FMM: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Please introduce yourself, your business and your brand.
I’m Bob Mackey, husband, father, friend, entrepreneur, author of six publications, and mentor. I have over 20 years of experience in youth development services and, currently, I am the President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. My professional outlook has been centered around serving others. I’ve created educational programs for school systems. Personally, I’ve launched The Power of the Knot and The Power of the Purse, which have been facilitated in over 21 school districts.
BUSINESS
FMM: People tend to see the glory but rarely know the story. Tell us about some of your pains and challenges along the way.
I could write a book about this one. However, I’ll keep it to the point. The challenge of underestimating talents and abilities due to my age was a challenge. What did I do? I learned to do the things others complained about doing and got good at them!
FMM: In your industry, what do you feel has been the hardest hurdle to jump?
Being a professional fundraiser and executive. In my industry, people sometimes become the hardest hurdle to jump, and advancing with or without people becomes an opportunity. Everyone wants to take the credit, but no one settles for taking the blame when things go wrong.
FMM: You are successful and wear many hats. What is your advice on balancing personal life and business?
There’s no balance! Work on what you’re working on for the time you’ve set yourself to work on it. Stick to your plan and learn to execute the opportunity.
FMM: What can young men looking to enter your field work on now to prepare for the landscape?
1. Understand Your Strengths – Recognize Your Weaknesses
2. Learn The Business. Experience Overrides What You’ve Been Taught
3. Put In The Work – Not Just Busy Work
4. Treat Everyone With Respect
5. Professional fundraising is becoming a trending career, once again. Obtain the educational requirement.
6. Learn to work with people, and
7. Understand the value of time.
FUN
FMM: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to visit Argentina. There are a few beautiful attractions that I’d like to experience.
FMM: Describe the perfect date night.
The perfect date night is for lessons to prepare our favorite meal, book a private comedian, and take notes of the moments of laughter.
FMM: Who’s your favorite artist?
This is a tough one as I have an eclectic taste of genres. However, JAHIEM has my vote of being my favorite artist. His music provided a level of understanding and love. His song, “Special Day,” gave me instructions on catering to my love, my life, and those special moments.
FMM: Your very first car?
My first car was a 1982 Fleetwood Cadillac with the skirts.
BACK TO BUSINESS
FMM: Please tell us about the Yono Clip!
In 2020, an idea hit me while working out at the GYM. I sketched out my idea on a napkin, went home, sent it to a designer, and made a post on Facebook seeking anyone interested to join forces. Michael Green and Bob Mackey joined together and the rest is history. Almost one year later, the Yono Clip is a reality. (www.YonoClip.com).
Yono Clip is the ultimate solution to keep your things close by, off the floor, and free from germs and dirt. It is a compact, portable, and inexpensive device designed to keep your possessions (purse, bookbag, gym bag, diaper bag, toiletry bag, shower caddy, towel, jacket, or coat) close by, off the floor, and free from germs and dirt.
Yono Clip maximizes a reversed suction-cup technology’s power by incorporating a proprietary locking system within the unit’s housing. It also features a carabiner clip on the side to attach your personal items. Attach it almost anywhere – Take it almost everywhere.
FMM: What tools and/or strategic partnerships have you put in place to help or give back to the community?
Giving back to the community has always been a priority. Giving back is more than taking pictures and posting them to highlight a good deed. Before it was a trend, I made a promise to give back what had been given to me. Nothing has changed. It’s embedded in who I am.
Despite being placed in an academic program for gifted students at an early age, Bob spent much of his school days in in-school suspension.
FMM: What is next in the life of Bob Mackey?
Next in life: My goal is to help encourage the next generation of inventors to bring their dreams to life and expand business opportunities for myself and others.
FMM: How can our readers connect with you outside of this interview?
Feel free to reach out to me via email at propersonalities@gmail.com.
More on Bob Mackey
Bob Mackey has spoken before over 65,000 youth and adults internationally, implementing successful academic and character building programs he develops for schools and community organizations which has led him to the founding of The Hyped For Education Conference, The Power of the Knot and the Power of the Purse which has been facilitated on the island of St. Croix since 2014, in addition to 21 school districts in the US.
Mackey has provided over $50,000 in scholarship funds to graduating high school seniors, personally provided over 5,000 community service hours, and has partnered with Facebook, Inc. and the Novelis Corporation to enhance technology needs for the underserved and underprivileged.
In his efforts to build tomorrow’s future, Mackey has worked with many notable community leaders: Congressman Jody Hice (GA-10), Former City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; former DeKalb District Attorney J. Tom Morgan; Alicia Phillips, Past President of the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta; David Johns of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, Former Vice Chair of Georgia Board of Regents Felton Jenkins, Jim Clark; President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Mackey has been selected as a Commencement Ceremonial Speaker for many colleges and institutions. Bob has been recognized on many local and national media platforms including being nominated as a Champion of Change for the White House Initiative and as a Top 10 Emerging Leader for the BGC State of Georgia. Mackey has earned the endorsement of Evander Holyfield, ESPN Reporter/Author Mark Schlabach, Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, NBA Professional Basketball Player Dwight Howard, and many others.
Mackey is a published author of Outliving Their Expectations, Teens & Tweens Under 18, Far From Being Simpleminded, The Upside Down GOAT, and a magazine series for black families. In 2010, Mackey nominated a family for Extreme Home Makeover and watched the community come together to build a home in seven days on national television!
