Let's Get to Know Smith
What inspired you to start your business, and what keeps you going?
The inspiration for my business came from watching and helping my uncles and father as a child. We would literally build any and everything. Throughout life I continued to be hands on starting with rebuilding bikes for kids in the neighborhoods to cars and eventually repairs to interior and exterior of houses. The gratification I receive after seeing the smiles and amazement on people's faces at completion gives me a high like no other and pushes me to keep going on top of my sons proudly saying their dad can build anything! it's really an indescribable feeling for me
As a social entrepreneur, how does your business positively impact your community?
Annually we pick several clients to receive services at little to no cost. Typically, a bathroom, kitchen, or some interior remodels. We also volunteer at habitat for humanity for earth day, do turkey drives with Huglife cares and several other community service events.
Can you share a time when you took a significant risk in your business? What did you learn from that experience?
I took a job in West Virginia in an attempt to build a yurt platform in what I later found out was the middle of a Rainforest and about 85% of granite.
absolutely no power and very little access to get supplies to top of mountain where clients wanted it. After some planning we managed to create a mechanism to hoist the materials to the top and then improvised with center blocks to set post. it was truly a lesson for me to not accept jobs before truly assessing the environment because what sounded like a good price wasn't nearly close to what was needed to complete that task. I took a loss but it was a great experience and the clients loved the outcome.
How do you define success, both personally and in your business?
Success for me is simply having consistent clientele and my name being brought up in rooms id never imagine. Me being able to
What’s the "why" behind your business? What motivates you to keep pushing forward despite challenges?
The urge to be the first successful business owner in my family and to show my sons that anything is possible. Even giving my friends hope to jump out into entrepreneurship just does something for me.
How do you see your business evolving over the next few years?
I see Smith&Company expanding to where we can hire and teach other men and women of all ages different trades and things they can take and teach their family or utilize in life to their benefit. I've always been a firm believer in teaching people "How to fish" I love watching others grow and learn. So, I'd love to have a brick and mortar with our household name on it and simply blessing others with what God has blessed me with.
What advice would you give to someone considering starting their own business, especially in your field?
Anyone looking to start a business in my field I'd simply inform them to never stop learning, never stop promoting themselves and to give 100% in everything they do no matter the scale of work, give it your all and never take things personal. Business has its fair share of ups and downs but in the end with hard work and integrity it pays off. Oh and document EVERTHING.
How do you maintain balance between your business life and personal life?
Running a business is very overwhelming but I've learned to utilize my days. By starting earlier I get more done before the average person gets out of bed and it allows me more time for my personal life rather its relationships or simply me time to wine down and relax. i'll often go hiking or a quick trip to the beach to refocus after and strenuous work period to stay grounded and fresh. Mental health days are extremely important in business and life.
We shine brighter together. What we are looking for:
- Location:
The entrepreneur must be based in the State of Georgia. - Business Stage:
Businesses that are less than 3 years old. - Impact:
The business should have a positive impact on the local community, either through its mission, community involvement, or other contributions. - Innovation:
The entrepreneur should demonstrate creativity and innovation in their business model, products, or services. - Resilience:
Consideration of the challenges the entrepreneur has overcome in building their business. - Ethics and Integrity:
The entrepreneur and their
business should operate with a high standard of ethics and integrity. - Nomination and Support: Self-nominations are allowed, but be sure to include supporting stories or testimonials.