We recently connected with Keysa Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Keysa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I had a dream of becoming a restaurant owner since I was little girl, but didn’t quite know how I would get there. I had some major setbacks, one while attending Mott Community College, I was arrested for distribution of marijuana with other family members and sentenced to 4 in half years in Federal Camp, upon my release I wanted to become the woman I was meant to be. I served on various boards, did many speaking events as I went back to school and finish my degree at U of Michigan/Flint. I also finished at Mott College as well,. I told my story over and over to any crowd that would listen so I can get people motivated about their lives and avoid the path I had taken. I decided to start my first business, which is my catering service while attending U of M which was another major risk because I quit my job to do it and I was raising my daughter at the time as well. So I didn’t know if it would work, but I was not landing the jobs I desired due to my felony, so I went at it. I did street vending for every major event to start out, then I landed several gigs after that. I started my business Spectacular Spudz my senior year in college, I finish school and pursued my career full time. Now we are 7 years in and opening up our first Brick and Mortar. We are currently still operating out of the Flint Famers Market.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello, my name is Keysa Smith, born and raised in Flint MI by way of Los Angeles Ca. I have been a chef for over twenty years specializing in Southern and Creole American Food. I studied at Mott Community College and University of Michigan Flint. Holding 2 degrees it was my dream to become a restaurant owner. I own Spectacular Spudz Inc and we specialize in Baked potatoes. We serve shrimp alfredo, chicken alfredo, philly steak, veggies, all of the above served as a meal. We cook everything from scratch and we take pride in serving some of the best food in Michigan. In this industry I am most proud of my team. They are able to navigate large crowds inside a small space in a short amount time. We are looking forward for things to come as we open our new brick and mortar in the next month. We have been working on this project for two years and were more than ready to show the world what we can do.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At 27 years old I was sentenced to four and half years in Federal prison camp for distribution of marijuana. I had to leave my 2 year old daughter at the time with family. While away I decided to utilize my time and become the woman I was meant to be. So I got on my knees and prayed a lot and started teaching classes, I was also a praise dance instructor and held a workshop for other women and taught them how to fill out their financial aid papers so that they can attend college upon their return home. I hit the ground running once I returned to Flint. I finished at Mott College first then receive my BS at U of Michigan/Flint then I started my business my senior year at U of M. I would leave class and go straight to work. My professors would work with me also knowing I had a lot going on. I even started my first business while on probation. I started out street vending at huge festivals and I started my catering serve first prior to that. My pastor gave me my first gig. Its all about someone believing in you can giving you a shot at life. God has been good to me and I try to be good to everyone

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

Recently I bought an existing business. The home was established as an airbnb for the past three years and the owner moved to Dallas and couldnt keep up with his businesses anymore so he said that I mentioned that if he ever sold it he would sell it to me. So I decided to purchase the home as my first real estate investment. The business has been profitable and brought me into the real estate world, since the I have purchased another investment property and hope to expand is that area as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @spectacularspudz @chef_ksmith
• Facebook: spectacular spudz

Image Credits
Keysa Smith Jurni Smith