Brian McCarthy grew up his father’s small flower shop in Dunmore, PA. After working full time through high school and Bucknell University, he worked full time for McCarthy Flowers and Martin’s Flowers in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. His ambition and work ethic allowed him to purchase seven flower shops of his own by age 23, in locations from Wilkes-Barre to Lock Haven, PA.

At the same time, Brian began a new wholesale flower company servicing over 60 flower shops in Pennsylvania and New York State. He also purchased 32 investment apartments for single families.

At the age of 25, Brian purchased a bankrupt taxi company in Williamsport, PA for no more than the cost of the new taxicabs. The core business increased over 40% when the name ‘McCarthy Flowered Cabs’ was given to the once-failing business. Within two years, McCarthy’s was tapped to take over the bankrupt York PA Cab Company, which it also renamed. Three more cab companies eventually joined McCarthy Flowered Cabs – two in Scranton, and one in Lock Haven, PA. McCarthy Flowered Cabs were recently featured in the hit TV series 'The Office' on NBC.

In 1985, he purchased his original family flower shop in Dunmore and opened others in Scranton and Clarks Summit. He also acquired three more flower shops in Virginia, forming 'The McCarthy Group', and opened up a ski shop in northeastern PA.

Between 1992 and 1999, Brian performed Congressional testimony about healthcare issues as an advocate for the Small Business Administration. He subsequently made many speeches at the Capitol and at the White House with President Bill Clinton. Issues ranged from healthcare to the minimum wage, and he also added input to the Retirement Security Act of 1999. Brian was keynote speaker for the August 1993 'Healthcare Symposium' and introduced the President of the United States to the 500 businessmen and 50 members of Congress in attendance.

Shortly thereafter, Brian purchased two radio stations in Williamsport, PA as well as some commercial rental buildings, including one that houses a 'Dunkin Donuts'. In the 1990's, Brian McCarthy started a real estate company on Daufuskie Island,

South Carolina with the purchase of 64 acres on the island, which is located just one nautical mile from Hilton Head.

In 2001, the McCarthy Group purchased an additional 15 flower shops with locations in Nevada, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Brian also purchased a manufacturing company, which produced random case sealers for many Fortune 500 companies at this time.

In 2008, The McCarthy Group acquired Piccolo's Florist and Gifts – the largest florist in the state of Nebraska. The Omaha operation is home to three stores and is the official florist of the First National Bank of Omaha.

Within the last two years, The McCarthy Group acquired four Amling’s Flowers locations in Chicago, one of the largest florists in that area as well as one of the oldest floral companies in the country. In pursuit of a strong commitment to the Chicago market, Brian also agreed to purchase the top-level domain, Chicagoflowers.com, for Amling’s online operations. 

The Group subsequently purchased Sylvia’s flowers in Arlington Heights, Chicago, Expressions Flowers in Wheaton, Illinois, and the Blossom Shops in Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina. RTP Florist in Durham, North Carolina, and Heaven Scent Florist in Culpepper, Virginia, also joined the other successful McCarthy shops in the region, like Westwood Florist in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Brian was been quoted in the May 2010 issue of Forbes Magazine for his input on indicators of economic recovery as seen in small business. He has additionally been quoted in Florist’s Review Magazine several times.

Today, Brian lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Erin. He has two children – Kevin, 21, an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, and Meghan, 18, an undergraduate at Auburn University and an aspiring professional actress. His son Kevin was recently married, and his wife, Julianna McCarthy, has now joined the family business.