Meet India McKinney | NC Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with India McKinney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi India, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I see risk as a necessary part of growth—especially in entrepreneurship. The biggest risk I’ve taken was leaving a stable corporate job as a technical support trainer, with a clear career path, to become a full-time real estate agent… in one of the toughest markets we’ve seen in a while.

I saw real estate as an opportunity to prove to myself that I’m not limited to the box I was constantly being put in. The sky is the limit—and even though I’ve found a level of success that I’m beyond grateful for, every day in this business still comes with new risks.

I’ve hit rock bottom a couple of times, but each experience taught me something valuable. As long as I keep learning and growing, it’s always worth it. At the end of the day, helping my clients make their homeownership dreams come true on closing day makes every risk, late night, and tough moment worth it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
There are thousands of realtors in North Carolina, especially in the Charlotte area—but what sets me apart is that I’m not just a realtor. I wear a lot of hats for my clients. Some days I’m a therapist, other days I’m helping them understand their lending options, and most days I’m simply someone they know will show up for them, no matter what. I truly go above and beyond because I care deeply about the people I work with. Don’t let the face fool you—I take what I do seriously.

Getting to where I am now hasn’t been easy. I’m a minority in this industry, and not only that, I’m younger than a lot of my peers. That means I’ve had to work harder, prove myself more, and constantly bring something extra to the table. But instead of letting that discourage me, I’ve used it as motivation. I offer round-the-clock communication, personalized support, relocation packages, and a vetted vendor list—because my goal is to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. I want to be a one-stop shop for anything my clients need.

No, every day isn’t easy. Some days entrepreneurship feels amazing, and other days you question everything. But I remind myself that this is the business I chose, and I have to keep showing up—not just for me, but for the people counting on me. I didn’t come from a privileged background. There’s no safety net or plan B for me. I’ve been blessed with hustle, grit, and the willingness to figure it out—even when the odds feel stacked against me.

This is bigger than just real estate. I’m building something that will create generational wealth, not only for myself but for the people I serve. My goal is to build a brand that helps others do the same—and that’s what keeps me going.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a great question! If my best friend was visiting for the week, I’d definitely want to give them a mix of chill, fun, and active experiences while showing off some of my favorite spots in Charlotte.

Monday would be our “ease into it” day. I’d probably take them to one of my favorite workout classes at CorePower Yoga in the Metropolitan area—nothing like a good sweat to start the week. After that, we’d grab a bite to eat and catch up at Optimist Hall, which has an amazing variety of food spots and a cool vibe, plus it’s right near NoDa.

Tuesday would be our outdoor adventure day. We’d head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, grab a day pass, and spend the day kayaking, ziplining, and whitewater rafting. Then around 6 p.m., we’d hit up Mad Miles Run Club at Camp North End for a fun run (and a little post-run dancing—yes, that’s a thing!). After all that movement, we’d definitely grab a good dinner to refuel.

Wednesday would be more relaxed—probably a shopping and chill day at Birkdale Village. We’d grab lunch at one of the cute spots there, pop into a few stores, and maybe end the night with a movie at the theater right in the village.

Thursday is all about fun and games. I’d take them to Frankie’s, one of my favorite arcades. Between bowling, go-karts (my personal fave), and the outdoor rides, it’s impossible not to have a good time there.

Friday would be more low-key. We’d pack up some snacks, grab a blanket, and have a cute picnic at Freedom Park. It’s such a peaceful spot to just relax, people-watch, and enjoy the outdoors before gearing up for the weekend.

Saturday is when I’d hope one of my favorite party groups—like Prism Social or 704 Party—is hosting something. Their events are always a vibe! People actually dance, the energy is always high, and it’s the perfect way to close out the week with my bestie.

Sunday would be the wind-down day. I’d probably start the morning off by going to church, then head to Uptown Yolk for a good brunch (because their food always hits). After that, honestly, I’d probably need to do a little cleaning around the house—because at that point, it’s definitely overdue! 😅

Charlotte has so much to offer, and I love being able to mix wellness, adventure, good food, and good vibes to give anyone visiting the full experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It would definitely have to be my current real estate firm, Noire Group LLC, and one of the amazing agents there, Desiree Dukes. Desiree took me under her wing during my first year and became the mentor I didn’t know I needed. Her guidance and support helped me navigate so many of the unknowns early on, and I’m truly grateful for that.

What makes Noire Group so special is the environment—it allowed me to show up fully as myself. As someone who’s young and came directly from the corporate world, stepping into a space where people looked like me, were unapologetically themselves, and still achieved incredible success was so inspiring. It showed me that I didn’t have to dim who I am to grow in this business.

Every agent at Noire brings something different to the table, and I love that when we come together, it feels like family. The support, the collaboration, and the shared vision make it a place I’m proud to be a part of.

Website: https://soldbyindia.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiaxceline/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soldbyindia

Other: https://linktr.ee/india.mckinney