Bryan Scott McMillan grew up in North Las Vegas, in a home where money was tight but expectations were high. As the oldest child, he learnt responsibility early while helping care for his brothers. His parents raised the family in the Mormon church, where long Sundays and strict routines shaped his sense of discipline. Even as a boy, Bryan noticed how different his life looked from the wealthier families in his congregation, yet he always felt included. That experience taught him to respect people from every background.
School became his way forward. He focused on grades and threw himself into wrestling, starting at age five and continuing through college. He later earned his degree at Arizona State University, where he excelled academically before completing executive programmes at Harvard and the University of Texas.
His 30-year career in the medical device industry brought him from hands-on roles to senior executive leadership. Bryan developed a reputation for steady thinking, problem-solving, and helping companies recover during difficult seasons. But his life changed after the loss of his wife to cancer. Supporting his children through grief led him to The WARM Place and later to founding Families with Holes, a charity for families facing loss.
Today, Bryan is an early retiree who splits his time between faith, volunteering, travel, and healthy living. His story is shaped by resilience, compassion, and a belief in helping others through life’s hardest moments. His journey continues to show how strength and kindness can reshape a life.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins early. I wake up before sunrise, not out of ambition but habit. Years of leading global teams taught me to value quiet hours. I exercise first — strength work or long walks — because movement clears my mind. I read scripture over coffee, then check in with the people I’m supporting through Families with Holes. Productivity for me now is not measured by output but by presence. I keep my schedule simple and make space for whoever needs me that day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I listen first. Most of my ideas come from conversations with people dealing with real problems. When I founded Families with Holes, it wasn’t because I had a grand plan. It was because I sat with grieving parents and understood what they lacked. I sketch ideas on paper before I share them, then test them with people I trust. Real feedback brings ideas to life.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m fascinated by how faith-based counselling groups are blending traditional therapy with community support. It’s not flashy, but it’s powerful. People heal better surrounded by others who understand their story.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I end each day by writing down three small wins. They’re never big. A helpful call, a good meal, a long conversation with someone who needed it. It keeps me grounded.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stop assuming strength means silence. When I was young, especially as a wrestler, I thought showing emotion meant weakness. I’d tell myself to speak up sooner and trust people with the truth.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe boredom is valuable. Some of my best decisions came when I stopped filling every moment. Space gives clarity.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Walk without headphones. Just walk. Let your mind breathe.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I return to the basics: movement, scripture, and breathing exercises. If I’m really overwhelmed, I step outside. Fresh air resets me more than anything.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I made it a rule to listen to the junior person in the room. When I led product teams, I often found the youngest engineer had the clearest view of what was broken. That habit helped me save failing business lines more than once.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my leadership years, I pushed a product launch too fast. I ignored concerns from the regulatory team, and we had to delay the rollout after investing heavily. It was humbling. I apologised to the team and made listening sessions a routine part of future launches. The lesson was simple: urgency is not strategy.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Notion to track the families I support, their needs, and important dates. It keeps my mind clear and helps me follow up with intention.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I keep returning to A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser. It’s honest about loss without being hopeless.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed The Repair Shop. Watching people restore something broken resonates with what I try to do in my work.
Key learnings
- Consistency, routine and presence can create meaningful impact in leadership and daily life.
- Listening deeply — especially to those with less authority — leads to better decisions and stronger teams.
- Giving ideas space to breathe is critical; clarity often arrives in stillness.
- Support, even in simple forms, plays a major role in how people heal after loss.