Warren Mckamey Jr shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Warren , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about being a CEO is that people assume you get to do what you want, when you want, that the team handles the work while the executive just delegates. In reality, leadership requires constant sacrifice and discipline. I carry the responsibility not only for our clients and contracts, but for every employee, every family that depends on this business, and the long-term health of the company itself.
People also assume that because they know you, or grew up with you, they’re automatically entitled to opportunities, discounts, or favors. But a company doesn’t grow by giving everything away. When you’re building something real, there has to be a clear line between business and personal relationships. Good leadership means being fair, being consistent, and protecting the integrity of the organization, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Running a company isn’t freedom, it’s accountability. And I take that seriously.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“I’m Warren McKamey, CEO of Dream Ranch Office Supplies, one of the largest procurement companies in Texas. Over the past 15 years, I’ve built a business that generates consistent seven-figure revenues, creates jobs, and serves as a trusted partner for organizations across industries. Dream Ranch is more than just an office supply company, we provide over 500,000 SKUs, from office essentials to specialized procurement solutions, and we pride ourselves on delivering service with integrity and professionalism.
My journey has been shaped by a commitment to service, leadership, and community. I am honored to be the first African American councilman in the history of Cresson, Texas, and to have served in the United States Air Force, where I was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal. Academically, I hold a Master’s in Business Administration, a Master’s Certificate in Health Care Management, a Bachelor’s in Technical Management, and an Associate’s in Transportation from the Community College of the Air Force, earning honors throughout my studies.
Beyond business, I’m deeply invested in education and community advancement. I am committed to building opportunities for others. I have personally funded scholarships at McLennan Community College, supported veteran initiatives like the DeSoto VetFest Committee, and contributed to cultural enrichment through events like the Waco Comedy Jam. I’ve also shared my expertise in real estate and custom home construction on the television program Rich Off of Real Estate, inspiring others to pursue their own ventures.
What makes my story, and my brand, unique is the way I balance entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and philanthropy. Every decision I make is guided by a desire to uplift others while building sustainable, thriving organizations.
Currently, I am working on building one of the largest residential properties in Johnson County, and I am actively focused on creating affordable housing opportunities for families in the DFW area. I believe success should make life better not only for me, but for the communities around me. I’m also fully invested in my children’s education, because if I value knowledge, I have to make sure I’m passing that legacy forward. Right now, I’m focused on expanding Dream Ranch’s reach, continuing to create economic opportunities in Texas, and leveraging my experience to mentor the next generation of leaders. My goal has always been, and continues to be, building something that lasts and gives back to the community that has given me so much.
A lot of people talk about having too much on their plate. But I can’t complain about having a lot on my plate when the goal was always to eat. I’ve worked hard to create opportunities, and now I work even harder to expand them. At the end of the day, everything I build, whether it’s businesses, homes, partnerships, or community programs, is designed to last and to uplift others along the way.”
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I can’t tell you who, but I can most certainly tell you what taught me the most about work. Honestly, life has been my greatest teacher when it comes to work. I learned early that if you don’t work, you don’t eat, and that lesson stayed with me. Nothing in my life was handed to me. Every opportunity, every accomplishment, every step forward has been earned.
The military helped sharpen that perspective. Serving in the United States Air Force taught me structure, discipline, accountability, and the importance of moving with purpose. You learn very quickly that effort matters, consistency matters, and excellence matters. That shaped the way I work and the way I lead today.
As long as I am able, I’ll always try to outwork my peers, not out of competition, but out of commitment. There are a lot of people with the same dreams, same ambitions, and same goals. Hard work is how you separate yourself. If I miss an opportunity, it won’t be because I didn’t try, because I wasn’t prepared, or because I didn’t put in the effort. Work ethic has carried me farther than talent alone ever could.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me something that success never could: humility. I come from very humble beginnings, and I remember clearly what it feels like to struggle. That feeling drove me, it made me determined to build a life where I could experience abundance, stability, and freedom. But it also taught me compassion.
When you’ve been at the bottom, you learn not to judge people who are down on their luck. Life can change for anyone, at any time. God sits high and looks low, and He sees everything. The same way blessings can elevate you, a few setbacks can humble you. So I carry myself with respect for others, no matter their situation.
Success can make you confident, but suffering makes you grateful. That gratitude is what keeps me grounded, keeps me generous, and keeps me working.”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
“The public version of me is absolutely the real me, I’m unapologetically myself. What you see is what you get, no matter where I am or who I’m around. I believe in authenticity, and if someone can’t love or respect me for who I truly am, then we probably don’t need to associate with each other.
I’ve often heard people say, ‘Warren, you sound nothing like how you look.’ I’m extremely articulate, and some might assume from my appearance that I’d fit a different stereotype. I never take that as disrespect, it’s a reminder that you should never judge a book by its cover. I may look “urban,” but once people get to know me, they realize I’m actually a bit of a brainiac, what people might’ve called a nerd back in the day. I love learning. I’m driven by curiosity, and I’m constantly absorbing new information. I know a lot of random things, and I wear that as a badge of honor because knowledge is power.
People who only see me online might think I’m always joking around because I keep things light and fun, but behind the humor, I’m extremely serious and focused. I’m locked in on my goals, and I don’t know anyone who works harder or sacrifices more to ensure success.
These days, a lot of people try to imitate what they see online or chase trends just to fit in. Not me. I’m comfortable in my own skin. I love me. I wouldn’t want to be anyone else or be like anyone else. My authenticity is my strength, and I stand on that every day.
And as a leader, that matters. People follow someone real. Employees, clients, and partners can trust me because I show up as the same person in every room. Authenticity isn’t just a personality trait, it’s part of my leadership.”
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“When I’m gone, I hope people say I broke generational curses. I hope they say I broke the mold, that I didn’t follow the script or wait for permission, I marched to the beat of my own drum and I made it happen. I want people to remember me as a leader, a builder, someone who created opportunities not just for himself, but for his family and his community.
I hope the story they tell is that I took what I came from and turned it into something greater, that I changed the trajectory for the generations after me. That I proved you can come from humble beginnings, stay authentic, treat people with respect, and still build something powerful. And most of all, I hope they say I did it my way, and I never gave up on the people I loved or the communities that raised me.
And most of all, I hope they say I loved my children, I loved God, I loved my family. I was grounded, steadfast, and unmovable. I hope they say I did it my way, and I never gave up on the people I loved or the communities that raised me.”
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