We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brooke, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents both taught me how to save and that hard work is never undervalued. Coming from two very loving parents that may drive me crazy sometimes, haha love you Mom and Dad! They created a great foundation for my sister and myself to carry on a legacy for what we are both passionate about. Small business is where it all started in Victoria, TX. My Pozzi side of the family migrated from Italy and developed a limestone mining company, my grandfather then started up a few oil and gas companies that were then acquired by my Dad and his brothers. My Mom Denise was the glue that held everything together and helped my dad with many business duties. My parents had me doing an admin role at a young age, which was awesome to put on a resume after college!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I had dreamed of being an entrepreneur at a young age after seeing a family full and wanting to honestly get paid to do what I love. After my first Central Market Corporate job, then the wine business, tech staffing and then back to the wine business. It was a sign, time to hang up the towel and figure this out. I did and two weeks later I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Sloan, now almost 3 years old. I never wanted to be a Mom and still be in the wine industry. I was honestly just working to make ends meet while my husband was putting in all of the work. He is a builder and awesome at what he does! I would always help my Mom decorate, my sister, friends, you name it. Then boom, some friends in the neighborhood asked if they could hire me. The cart was before the horse, but it made me realize, hey I can do what I love and get paid and that is where BPSmith Design began!
Have you ever had to pivot?
BPSmith Design Group was going strong, I was hustling and then boom! Life happens, I will never forget the day I got the call, September 27th of 2021. My Dad had cancer and he needed help! Everyone teamed up like an Army, because that’s what friends and family do. I put everything on hold to help him out. Life is always teaching you lessons, about what is important and what is not. I am happy to say that my Dad is on track, doing great and I am now working on a project with my husband. He sure makes it easy, he puts in the sweat equity and I get to pick out all of the pretty finishes, colors, furniture, fixtures, etc.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Honestly, I feel like there are times where I am better at marketing than my actual job, ha! As a new business owner, and new to the industry who doesn’t question themselves at times? I have an awesome friend in the neighborhood who was my biggest cheerleader and went above and beyond to help me. From going to meetings with me if it was a new client, to watching Sloan, to social media ideas. Getting back to social media, its a great way to market yourself for free! We have an awesome community here in Lost Creek and I never really had to leave the neighborhood for work. I was a big part of the Lost Creek Mom’s Club, which always helped to cross promote me on social media and events as well! Social media is a huge help and one of the best ways to promote your business. It lays the groundwork, you can build it on your own with the right hashtags and questions. Get your community involved, get creative and don’t overthink it!
Contact Info:
- Website: Bpsmithdesigngroup.com
- Instagram: BPSmithdesigngroup
- Facebook: BPSmith Design
Image Credits
Claire McCormack Photography