Foundation and Early Beginnings (2011-2012)
Mackey Enterprises, LLC was founded in November 2011, sparked by an unexpected opportunity that arose from Brian Mackey’s interview with the accounting firm Padden Denn Drewry. Although the interview did not lead to a direct job offer, it opened the door to a valuable subcontracting arrangement — a pivotal moment that set the foundation for Brian’s entrepreneurial journey. Recognizing the potential to build something of his own, Brian quickly shifted gears, channeling his skills in financial recordkeeping and data organization into launching his own business. The LLC was initially established with a clear focus on providing bookkeeping and data entry services to clients, blending Brian’s passion for precision with his drive to support businesses in managing their financial information.
By late November 2011, the official paperwork was filed, and Mackey Enterprises, LLC was formally established. The company’s first major breakthrough came in February 2012, when Brian completed his inaugural subcontracting bookkeeping project for Padden Denn Drewry. This project not only validated the company’s capabilities but also signaled its entry into the financial services sector. The success of this initial collaboration laid the groundwork for an ongoing partnership, reinforcing Brian’s reputation for accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism.
Building on this momentum, Mackey Enterprises secured a second subcontracting project with Padden Denn Drewry in October 2012. Each engagement added another layer of experience, sharpening Brian’s skills and solidifying the company’s expertise in financial data management. The collaboration continued with a third project in February 2013, reflecting the trust and confidence the firm placed in Brian’s work.
The partnership ultimately concluded in February 2014, when Mackey Enterprises completed its fourth and final subcontracting bookkeeping project for Padden Denn Drewry. This series of successful projects not only strengthened the company’s portfolio but also provided Brian with a solid foundation in financial services. These early years were instrumental in shaping Mackey Enterprises, giving Brian both the experience and the confidence to expand his business as he began to take on personal clients for bookkeeping and data entry projects in the years that followed.
Early Client Projects and Growth (2013-2015)
By March 2015, Mackey Enterprises began expanding its services beyond subcontracting, taking on its first personal client project — assisting an individual with data entry for a digital inventory listing. This project involved meticulously organizing and entering item details into a digital format, ensuring the client had an accurate and accessible record of their possessions. The following month, in April 2015, the company tackled another personal bookkeeping project for an individual remodeling their bathroom. This work required tallying expense receipts, categorizing costs, and providing the client with a clear financial summary of their renovation expenses. These early personal projects demonstrated Mackey Enterprises’ versatility, showcasing its ability to handle small-scale, client-centered bookkeeping and data entry tasks. It was a pivotal step forward in broadening the company’s client base and reinforcing its reputation for precision and reliability.
A significant milestone in Mackey Enterprises’ growth came in March 2015 when Brian purchased the company’s domain name, mackeyenterprisesllc.com. This marked the official beginning of the company’s online presence — a crucial step toward establishing credibility and reaching a wider audience. In August 2015, Brian secured a hosting package, and by November 2015, the company’s first official website went live. The site, built entirely using WordPress, was a momentous achievement for Brian, as it was his first experience developing a website.
Throughout the website’s creation, Brian sought feedback from friends and colleagues to ensure the content accurately reflected Mackey Enterprises’ mission and core offerings — which at the time focused on bookkeeping, data entry, and small business support. While the website itself wasn’t initially a service offering, the experience of building and launching the site planted the seeds for what would later become an important aspect of the company’s future — web development.
In November 2015, shortly after the website went live, Mackey Enterprises participated as a vendor at the 2015 National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ) state convention. This event was a turning point for the company, offering Brian a valuable opportunity to showcase his services and build meaningful connections within the blind community. The convention allowed Mackey Enterprises to highlight its work while reinforcing its commitment to accessibility and inclusion — values deeply aligned with the mission of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).
It was at this convention that Joe Ruffalo, then president of NFBNJ, noticed Brian’s website and was impressed by its design and functionality. Recognizing Brian’s potential, Joe approached him with an exciting opportunity — to review and eventually rebuild the NFBNJ affiliate’s website. This marked a shift for Brian, as it opened the door to a new realm of professional work: web development.
In February 2016, Brian officially took on the role of web coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), with his first major task being the redesign of the affiliate’s website using WordPress. This project required more than just technical expertise; it involved creating a user-friendly, accessible site that reflected the affiliate’s mission and provided essential resources for its members.
By June 2016, the newly redesigned NFBNJ website went live, marking a key moment in the growth of Mackey Enterprises. The successful launch not only strengthened Brian’s web development skills but also sparked his passion for designing accessible websites. It was after completing this project that Brian realized the value of offering web development and design services as an official part of Mackey Enterprises’ portfolio.
The positive reception of the NFBNJ website inspired Brian to expand Mackey Enterprises’ services to include web design, development, and accessibility consulting. This strategic shift allowed the company to support small businesses, organizations, and individuals in creating or improving their online presence, with a strong emphasis on web inclusivity.
What had started as building a simple company website in 2015 evolved into a cornerstone of Mackey Enterprises’ growth by mid-2016, reinforcing the company’s adaptability and Brian’s commitment to continuous learning and innovation in the web development space.
Website Redesign and Administration (2016-2018)
In October 2016, Brian expanded his role as web coordinator to the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBIL). When he first started with NFBIL, he had no prior experience with managing web forms. However, over time, Brian learned how to create and integrate web forms for things like convention registrations and member interactions, including connecting these forms to a PayPal payment processor. His work significantly improved the user experience for site visitors by enabling easier interaction and streamlined processes.
In November 2016, Brian also took on the role of web coordinator for the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association (MABGA). His first task was to completely revamp the website, which had been built using Microsoft FrontPage, an outdated platform that lacked functionality and accessibility. Brian migrated the site to WordPress, allowing for greater flexibility in design, better accessibility features, and improved user management. By February 2017, the redesigned MABGA website went live, providing a much more accessible and responsive experience for users. Brian added easy-to-use event registration forms, ensured better navigation, and improved content management, helping the organization serve its members more efficiently.
In May 2017, Brian took on the role of web coordinator for NFB of Delaware (NFBDE). He initially rebuilt the website from the ground up using WordPress, taking inspiration from the NFB of New Jersey (NFBNJ) website. Over the years, he managed ongoing updates, content maintenance, and accessibility improvements. In 2021, Brian migrated the NFBDE website to Drupal, applying the knowledge he gained from previous projects. Brian continued his work with NFBDE until December 2022.
In August 2017, Brian attended a three-day crash course Drupal training workshop at the NFB Jernigan Institute. Prior to the workshop, he had no experience with Drupal, but the training taught him how to create customized views, blocks, and webforms within the Drupal platform. This expanded skillset allowed Brian to work on more complex and accessible websites, contributing to the success of several redesigns and migrations in the coming years.
In March 2018, Brian took on the roles of web coordinator for National Federation of the Blind of Nevada (NFBNV), National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBIA), and the NFB DeafBlind Division, a national division serving individuals with combined hearing and vision loss. For NFBNV, Brian migrated the website to Drupal, enhancing both its functionality and accessibility. Similarly, in July 2018, he completed a comprehensive redesign of the NFBIA website using Drupal, significantly improving accessibility. That same year, Brian led the redesign of the NFB DeafBlind Division’s website, transitioning it to Drupal to better serve individuals with combined hearing and vision loss. The DeafBlind Division website redesign was completed in July 2018.
Brian continued as web coordinator for NFB DeafBlind Division until December 2021 and remained involved with NFBNV and NFBIA. In December 2023, Brian paused his role as web coordinator for NFBNV but resumed his work for the affiliate in late 2024, ensuring the website remained up-to-date and accessible.
Through his work with these NFB affiliates, including NFBIL, NFBDE, NFBIA, and others, as well as MABGA, Brian helped ensure that their websites were accessible, functional, and user-friendly, contributing to a more inclusive online experience for members and users.
Diversifying Web Services for Multiple Affiliates (2019-2021)
In late 2019, Brian took over as web coordinator for NFB of West Virginia (NFBWV), maintaining their Drupal-powered website until January 2024. The NFBWV website had already been built using Drupal, but Brian’s work focused on refreshing the way the content was presented to enhance accessibility and user experience. This included optimizing the site’s layout, ensuring the content was up-to-date, and making the site more user-friendly for members and visitors alike. His work ensured the site met the evolving needs of the affiliate’s community, keeping the website relevant and functional.
In March 2020, Brian took on the role of web coordinator for NFB of Arkansas (NFBAR), which, like NFBWV, was already powered by Drupal. His primary task was to update the content presentation and ensure the website was fully accessible to all users. Brian worked on optimizing the site’s structure, making the navigation smoother, and enhancing the visual appeal without compromising on accessibility. His efforts significantly improved the overall user experience for visitors and members. He continues to serve in this role, regularly updating the site and ensuring it remains functional and accessible.
Also in March 2020, Brian expanded his responsibilities by taking over as web coordinator for NFB of Michigan (NFBMI). By June 2020, he had completed a comprehensive Drupal redesign of the website. This redesign involved modernizing the look and feel of the site while maintaining its accessibility standards. The update improved the website’s layout, functionality, and ease of navigation, ensuring that members could easily access important information. Brian maintained the site until stepping down in March 2023, but his redesign left a lasting impact, making the website easier to use and navigate for everyone.
In May 2020, Brian took on a new challenge by becoming the web coordinator for NFB of South Dakota (NFBSD). The NFBSD website required a more significant overhaul, as it was originally hard-coded in HTML. Brian led the migration of the site to Drupal, enhancing its functionality, making it more dynamic, and ensuring it met accessibility standards. This migration not only improved the site’s performance but also made it easier to update and maintain over time. Brian served in this role until December 2021, ensuring that the site remained accessible and user-friendly for the affiliate’s members.
In November 2020, Brian took on the role of web coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts (NFBMA). One of his first major tasks was to complete a comprehensive Drupal redesign of the NFBMA website in December 2020. The redesign aimed to modernize the website and make it more responsive, accessible, and easier to navigate. Brian’s work ensured that the website met the needs of the affiliate’s members and allowed for easier content management. His ongoing management of the site ensures it remains a valuable resource for NFBMA members.
In November 2020, Brian also began working with NFB of Connecticut (NFBCT), where he took over as web coordinator and successfully migrated the website to Drupal by December 2020. This migration involved a complete overhaul of the site’s infrastructure, making it more user-friendly and ensuring it complied with accessibility standards. After the Drupal conversion, Brian continued to manage and maintain the site until May 2023, keeping it up to date with the affiliate’s activities and needs. His work helped ensure the site remained modern and accessible for the diverse community of users.
Increased Responsibility, Expanding Expertise, and Web Accessibility Testing (2021-2022)
In May 2021, Brian took on the responsibility of web coordinator for the NFB Seniors Division, a national division of the National Federation of the Blind dedicated to providing advocacy, resources, and support to older blind individuals. Recognizing the importance of creating an accessible space for seniors, Brian oversaw a complete website conversion from hard-coded HTML to Drupal, a powerful content management system known for its accessibility features. This transition not only improved the website’s functionality but also enhanced the overall user experience, making it easier for seniors to navigate and access vital information. Throughout his tenure, Brian worked diligently to ensure that the website was consistently updated with the latest resources, community programs, and advocacy tools. By doing so, he helped the Seniors Division provide a valuable digital platform where older blind individuals could find the support they needed, whether through educational content, social initiatives, or practical resources for independent living.
In October 2021, Brian expanded his role to become the web coordinator for the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). As an important division within the NFB, NOPBC advocates for blind children and their families, working to ensure that they have access to the necessary resources and advocacy to thrive. At the time, NOPBC’s website was already powered by Drupal, but Brian’s focus was on ensuring it remained an effective, up-to-date tool for the community. He worked tirelessly to maintain the website’s functionality, enhancing its accessibility and usability. His efforts centered around making sure the site was easy to navigate for parents, educators, and other stakeholders, ensuring they could quickly find essential information such as programs, advocacy efforts, and opportunities for community engagement. Brian’s work significantly improved the site’s effectiveness as a communication tool, helping NOPBC reach and serve blind children and their families across the nation.
From April to September 2022, Brian’s expertise in web accessibility was put to use when he performed testing for DB CAN NJ, an organization dedicated to serving the deafblind community in New Jersey. In this role, Brian identified several key accessibility challenges on the organization’s website and worked closely with the team to provide actionable recommendations to improve the site’s accessibility. His thorough testing helped ensure that DB CAN NJ’s online presence complied with web accessibility standards, ultimately making the website more inclusive for individuals with dual sensory loss. In November 2024, Brian returned to DB CAN NJ to perform follow-up testing, confirming that the necessary improvements had been successfully implemented, and the website was now fully accessible to its intended audience.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, these roles reflected Brian’s increasing responsibility in managing web presence for a variety of organizations. His work not only expanded his skillset but also deepened his understanding of how to meet the unique needs of each group. From advocating for blind children and their families with NOPBC to improving the online experience for older blind individuals through the Seniors Division, Brian demonstrated his ability to adapt to the diverse needs of the NFB’s various divisions. His contributions during this time were focused on creating websites that were not only functional and user-friendly but also accessible, ensuring that all audiences, regardless of age or ability, could benefit from the digital spaces he managed.
Relaunch and New Beginnings (2023-Present)
In 2023, after completing his role as web coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI) in March, Brian Mackey continued to build upon Mackey Enterprises’ reputation for delivering specialized web solutions within the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) community. During this period, he focused on further establishing the company as a reliable partner for NFB affiliates and divisions, ensuring that each website he worked on was designed with accessibility at the forefront. Brian’s work helped enhance the user experience for blind and low vision individuals, guaranteeing that the websites he managed were not only visually appealing but also functional and easy to navigate for a diverse audience.
In December 2024, Brian assumed a new role as web coordinator for the NFB Greater Springfield Chapter in Springfield, MA. This opportunity came with the responsibility of redesigning their website to improve accessibility, functionality, and overall user experience. By January 2025, he successfully completed the redesign, utilizing WordPress to create a modern, dynamic, and responsive site. This accomplishment added another key project to Brian’s growing portfolio of accessible websites that catered to the unique needs of NFB affiliates and their members. His attention to detail in ensuring compliance with web accessibility standards made the site more inclusive for all users, further solidifying his expertise in web coordination.
In the same month, Brian received a request from the president of the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association (MABGA) to update and refresh the content on their existing website. To streamline this process, Brian turned to AI tools, specifically ChatGPT, to assist in generating new content and revising existing text. Brian was impressed by how effectively the AI could handle these tasks, significantly speeding up the process while maintaining high-quality, accurate content. This positive experience prompted him to consider using AI technology for content revisions on both the NFB websites that he continues to manage as web coordinator and any future web projects. The ability to leverage AI for content creation and updates presents an exciting opportunity to enhance the efficiency and quality of website management, ensuring timely updates while maintaining consistency and relevance for users.
In early 2025, Mackey Enterprises took a significant step in its evolution by relaunching its own website after a six-year hiatus. Due to rising hosting costs, the site had been paused for several years, but with the partnership of a new hosting provider, Brian was able to revamp the website’s design, functionality, and accessibility features. During this process, Brian used ChatGPT to assist with reviewing and overhauling the content on the site. The AI helped ensure the content was clear, engaging, and optimized for both search engines and user experience. This relaunch marked a pivotal moment for Mackey Enterprises, significantly improving the company’s digital presence. It also gave the company the opportunity to showcase its web development expertise, focusing on modern, accessible, and user-friendly design.