We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Alright, Kelly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
The biggest risk I’ve taken wasn’t a single moment it was a season of uncertainty that asked me to bet on myself over and over again.
As a self employed business owner the path to purchasing land wasn’t straightforward. Traditional systems aren’t always built for people like me people whose income doesn’t fit neatly into boxes. I faced rejection after rejection. Lenders questioned consistency paperwork felt endless and at times it seemed like the goalpost kept moving just out of reach. But I knew what I was building toward not just a property but a foundation for something bigger land that could feed my family serve my community and grow into a long term vision.
To even stay in the process I had to become incredibly disciplined. I saved aggressively made sacrifices in my daily life and stayed committed even when progress felt invisible. This wasn’t just financial it was mental. There were moments where it would’ve been easier to walk away.
And then right in the middle of closing when things are supposed to feel certain I lost my two largest clients. As a self employed person that kind of hit doesn’t just shake your confidence it directly impacts your ability to qualify to prove stability to move forward. Everything I had worked toward suddenly felt at risk.
That was the moment where the risk became very real. I had every reason to panic to freeze or to back out. But instead I chose to stay grounded. I leaned into the work I had already done trusted the systems I had put in place and reminded myself why I started in the first place. I kept showing up handling what I could control one step at a time.
And I closed.
Not because everything went perfectly but because I didn’t quit when it stopped being comfortable.
Now that land represents more than a purchase it’s proof. Proof that persistence matters. That self employment doesn’t mean instability it means ownership in every sense of the word. And that sometimes the biggest risks aren’t loud or dramatic they’re the quiet decisions to keep going when nothing feels guaranteed.
That experience didn’t just give me property. It gave me a deeper level of confidence in my ability to navigate uncertainty and that’s something I carry into everything I’m building next.
Kelly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m the founder of Smith Manor, a growing farm and food concept rooted in community, quality, and creativity. My journey into this work wasn’t traditional. I originally started in the food space by doing events and food vending for small businesses. At one point, I had a clear vision of becoming a street vendor, but that path never fully came together the way I expected.
What did come into focus, though, was something deeper. While planning menus and pricing for events, I kept running into the same issue rising food costs. And for me, cutting corners was never an option. I’ve always believed in providing high quality food made with real ingredients, even when that meant spending a little more. That tension forced me to think differently.
I realized that if I wanted to maintain quality and stay sustainable, I needed more control over what I was serving. That’s what led me to start growing my own food, baking my own bread, and making my own sauces. I wanted to strip away over processed ingredients and get back to the basics. What started as a way to save money in my own kitchen turned into something much bigger. I began growing food right from my apartment, and that process sparked a new vision not just feeding myself, but feeding my community.
Smith Manor was born out of that shift.
Today, I’m building a multi layered business centered around access to fresh, locally grown food. I’m currently developing a subscription based, tiered membership model that allows people to receive fresh groceries directly from the farm. I’ll also be present at farmers markets, and I’m creating farm to table experiences through monthly dinners and mixers, with a special focus on Sunday supper club style gatherings that bring people together over intentional meals.
Beyond food, Smith Manor is about education and empowerment. I plan to offer workshops and classes to teach others how to grow their own food, no matter their starting point. Long term, I want to help people turn their own backyards into productive spaces, so they can take ownership of what they eat and how they live.
What sets me apart is that this isn’t just a business model it’s a lifestyle that I’m actively living. I didn’t start with land or perfect conditions. I started small, figured things out in real time, and built from where I was. That hands on experience shapes everything I offer.
At the core, I’m someone who loves to create. My passions have always lived at the intersection of real estate, food, and art in all forms especially food and fashion. Smith Manor is where all of those worlds meet. It’s not just about what I grow or serve, it’s about how it feels, how it brings people together, and how it inspires others to build something of their own.
What I’m most proud of is that I started. I didn’t wait for perfect timing or perfect resources. I followed an idea, stayed consistent, and turned it into something real.
For anyone discovering Smith Manor, I want them to know this is about more than food. It’s about intention, access, and community. It’s about creating something meaningful and inviting others to be a part of it.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Funding my business hasn’t come from a traditional place it’s been built through a combination of personal sacrifice, community support, and faith.
I’m fully self funded. From the beginning, I’ve relied on my own savings to bring Smith Manor to life. That meant being intentional about every dollar, making tough financial decisions, and staying committed even when things felt uncertain. During one of the most critical phases of building this, I lost my two largest clients and haven’t secured replacements yet. That shifted everything overnight and forced me to rely even more heavily on what I had already set aside.
At the same time, I’ve experienced support from my community in ways that have truly mattered. Whether it’s encouragement, small contributions, or people simply showing up and believing in what I’m building, that support has helped me keep moving forward. Asking for help hasn’t always come naturally to me, but this journey has been teaching me the importance of allowing people to be a part of something meaningful.
Right now, the focus is on laying the foundation literally and strategically. I’m clearing the land, mapping out growing zones, and building this step by step in a way that’s sustainable long term. I’m also preparing to apply for a USDA loan to help scale the vision, but in this current season, it’s grassroots in every sense.
More than anything, what’s carried me through is faith. Faith in God, faith in the vision, and faith that what I’m building will not only sustain me but serve others in a real way.
This business wasn’t started with a large investment or outside backing. It’s being built with intention, resilience, and belief and that foundation means everything to me.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The best approach to growing clients is staying deeply connected to your community and consistently showing up.
For me, growth isn’t just about ads or online presence it’s about visibility and trust. You have to be where people are. That means being active in your community, attending and hosting events, participating in local markets, and creating real opportunities for people to experience what you offer firsthand. People support what they can see and feel.
At the same time, it’s important to use every tool available. Digital marketing, social media, and advertising all play a role in expanding your reach and reinforcing your message. But those tools work best when they’re paired with real world connection.
What I’ve learned is that people don’t just buy products or services they invest in people. So showing your face, telling your story, and being consistent in your presence makes all the difference. When people know you, trust you, and understand what you stand for, growth becomes a natural result of that connection.
Image Credits
Self published/created logo.