Meet Jimmy McKinney

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jimmy McKinney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jimmy below.

Hi Jimmy, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

Faith in Jesus Christ and hope in Him

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I started J&R Construction back in 2003 with $700, a pickup truck, and a clear mission: to serve people well and do things the right way. In those early days, I was the guy on the jobsite with a toolbelt during the day and behind the desk at night handling the books, calls, and estimates. Over time, through a lot, I mean a lot of faith, grit, and the right people joining our team, we’ve grown into Lexington, Kentucky’s Award-Winning Home Remodeling Company, recognized again and again for customer service, craftsmanship, and standing behind our 5 year and Lifetime Warranties.
What excites me most about what we do is that we’re not just remodeling homes, we’re improving the way people live in them. We specialize in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Finished Basements, Custom Remodeling, Room additions, Outdoor Living areas, Whole-House Remodeling and much more…, but our focus goes beyond design and build. It’s about relationships, communication, and trust. Every home has a story, and we get to help families write the next chapter of theirs.
At the heart of J&R, our philosophy is simple: God first, family second, business third. That balance has kept us grounded as we’ve grown. My wife, Penny, and I have built this company while raising three daughters, and we’ve always protected that 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. family window. Success means nothing if it costs you your home life.
Professionally, we’re pushing forward in a few key areas. We’ve expanded our services to include Universal Design and Accessibility Remodeling, ensuring homes are functional and beautiful for every phase of life. We listen to our Clients and the Community by expanding our services with ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), Landscaping, Hardscaping, and Handyman Services, so that our clients can count on one trusted team.
At J&R Construction, our tagline says it best: “Customer Service and Quality First.” Our clients deserve excellence, and we’re constantly educating ourselves and refining our processes to make sure we stay the best remodeling partner in the Bluegrass.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things shaped my journey more than anything else: work ethic, leadership, and humility.
Work ethic came first. When you start a business with seven hundred dollars, there is no backup plan. You learn quickly that showing up every day, doing what you said you would do, and refusing to cut corners will build a reputation that lasts longer than any marketing campaign. My advice to anyone starting out is simple: be the hardest worker in the room. Excellence becomes a habit when you practice it long enough.
Leadership was the next lesson. In the early years I wore every hat. Eventually I realized the company could only grow if I invested in people who shared the same standards and vision. Leadership means training, trusting, and empowering your team so they can deliver at the same level you would. To grow, you have to get out of your own way and let others lead with you.
Humility ties it all together. No matter how much we grow or how many awards we win, this business is still about serving people. Listening to clients, admitting when you fall short, and learning from mistakes keeps you sharp and grounded. My advice is to stay teachable. The industry changes fast, and pride is the one thing that can stop progress.
Those three qualities; work ethic, leadership, and humility built and continue to build J&R Construction into what it is today and keep us focused on what matters: faith, family, and serving our clients with excellence.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Gave me the passion, drive and courage to know that I can accomplish anything.

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