Today we’d like to introduce you to Martina Mckinney.
Hi Martina , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It was a moment that redefined everything. One of the greatest challenges of my life became the catalyst for tremendous personal growth — leading me to a place of joy, strength, and true fulfillment.
After navigating a separation while pregnant with my third daughter, I moved back home to Ocean Beach to be near my parents. It was a time of uncertainty, but also of rediscovery. My father, who has run an estate planning business for decades, encouraged me to try real estate and help his clients who needed to sell homes held in trust. At first, I was hesitant — but he believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
During my first six months, I immersed myself in learning the business, focusing not just on sales but on how to serve people with compassion and skill. Many of my clients were families dealing with loss or major life transitions, and I wanted to guide them through those moments with care and integrity.
Returning to Ocean Beach was grounding. With the support of family and friends, I was able to care for my daughters — Coco, Roma, and later, my youngest, Louie — and rebuild my career and confidence from the ground up. When I finally stepped fully into real estate, I did so with renewed purpose. Within my first year back, I closed 20 sales. From there, everything grew — not just my business, but my sense of independence and empowerment.
In 2022, I founded my own team and was honored to be recognized on the “40 Under 40” list. Real estate became more than a career — it became my anchor, a way to provide for my family and help others through their own life transitions.
Today, I specialize in trust and estate sales, which hold deep meaning for me. These transactions often involve families navigating emotional loss, multiple beneficiaries, and the challenge of parting with a lifetime of memories. My role allows me to blend compassion with strategy — from coordinating renovations to negotiating with investors and cash buyers to secure the best outcomes for my clients.
Family remains my foundation. In 2023, I married my husband, Nathan, and together with our blended family — including his son, Greyson — we’ve built a life filled with gratitude and purpose.
My story is one of resilience, reinvention, and service. Through every chapter, I’ve learned that the hardest moments often become the most defining — and that with the right perspective, even adversity can become the spark that leads you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The biggest turning point in my life came when I went through a divorce while pregnant with my third daughter. Overnight, I found myself rebuilding — emotionally, financially, and professionally — while raising three young children on my own.
Those early years were incredibly hard. I was juggling motherhood, trying to provide stability for my girls, and starting a career in real estate from the ground up. There were countless late nights, moments of self-doubt, and times I wasn’t sure how I’d make it all work. But through it all, I stayed focused on creating a life built on strength, integrity, and independence.
Every struggle became a lesson. The challenges of that season taught me resilience, time management, and how to lead with empathy — qualities that now define how I show up for my clients and my team. Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for those difficult moments because they shaped both the businesswoman and the mother I’ve become.
As you know, we’re big fans of Martina Mckinney, Compass . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m a Realtor with Compass, specializing in helping clients buy and sell residential homes throughout San Diego — with a focus on trust sales and the Point Loma and Ocean Beach communities.
What sets me apart is the way I approach real estate: I don’t just sell homes — I guide people through major life transitions with strategy, empathy, and care. Many of my clients are navigating complex situations like estates, trust sales, or family transitions, and I take pride in being not just their Realtor, but their advocate, advisor, and steady hand throughout the process.
I’m known for helping sellers achieve record-breaking results and for helping buyers win in competitive situations by being creative, strategic, and persistent. I’m deeply committed to each client’s journey — from the very first meeting to closing day and beyond.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that my business has been built entirely on relationships, referrals, and trust. My goal is always to make the process feel less transactional and more transformational — helping people move forward into the next chapter of their lives with confidence and peace.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
That’s a tough question — because I’m a big believer that two opposing things can be true at once.
On one hand, I don’t believe luck has played a major role in where I am today. My journey has been built on grit, resilience, and relentless determination. I’ve worked incredibly hard, often pushing through exhaustion and uncertainty, fueled by the love I have for my kids and the desire to give them a beautiful life.
On the other hand, I recognize how lucky I am to have been born into a caring, supportive family who showed up for me during my darkest moments. My parents not only provided housing and encouragement when I needed it most — they also instilled in me the values, work ethic, and business sense that shaped who I am today.
I’m also lucky for the serendipitous moments — like friends introducing me to my now-husband at a time when we were both navigating major life changes. It was the perfect alignment of timing, healing, and love.
So, has luck played a role? Both yes and no. My story is a “both/and” — hard work and grace, struggle and support, resilience and luck.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.martinamckinney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinamckinney/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmariani717
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-mckinney-7230153a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@martinamarrealty
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/martina-mckinney-exp-real-estate-san-diego-3
Image Credits
Lauren Scotti, Photographer
Chris Buckel, Real Estate Photographer
Randi Wu, Photographer
