We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Terrence Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Terrence, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am definitely happier as a business owner. I don’t necessarily think about going back to a regular job, but I do use the thought of having a regular job to motivate me whenever I feel stuck. it motivates me to keep going because I know a regular job is not something that I want to go back to. A lot of times in real estate deals fall through so I’ve learned not to count my money until it’s in my pocket, also sometimes people back out and it can feel like I’m doing something wrong. Have to remember that it’s a numbers game and I must push forward. In regards to a regular job, it’s a lifestyle that I don’t want to return to.

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?

I grew up here in Houston, Texas playing sports, my entire life. After college I graduated and came Back home. Looked around and started doing what I saw around me which was driving trucks a lot of people in my friend group as well as my family were driving trucks so I got my CDL. I read a book called Rich DAD poor dad. That gave me a paradigm shift and I knew that I didn’t want to nor could I work my way to wealth as a regular employee only. Read up on a few things to see where I wanted my entrepreneurial Journey to go. From there, I got into Real Estate and started wholesaling. I haven’t really looked back since then. I really enjoy being of value to distressed homeowners. I provide solutions for their real estate needs and provide them a hand off hassle, free experience when selling their house. I create win-win situations that puts money in both pockets of the homeowners and the pockets of the investors that I work closely with. The thing that makes me the most proud is the testimonies from people who had nowhere to turn, and no other options. The people who tell me that I added value to their lives And that I created a breakthrough for them in their situation that a lot of times they’ve been dealing with for years.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think the biggest lesson that I’ve had to unlearn actually comes from a place of love. The saying, “ the harder, you work, the more money you make” is something that I’ve heard my entire life since a child. What I’ve learned is that just because you work hard doesn’t necessarily mean you will make more money. It’s possible at a job you could outwork everyone and they still don’t give you the raise at the end of the year or the promotion. Or maybe you get the promotion now you have to come in earlier and stay later for a few extra dollars an hour. It never really seems to translate into a higher bottom line. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in that is to not trade time for money. The goal is to make your money work for you so that you can have more time to live your life. Just look at the people who have two jobs. They never seem to have more money just less time.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I love books. There is a handful of books that I recommend to everybody who is an entrepreneur, or looking to become an entrepreneur. These books not only Strategies on how to run a business, but also guidance on how to be a better person all around. The first book that I would recommend, especially if your business is dealing with people is entitled How to Win Friends and Influence People. The second, which is along the same lines, and a book that I’ve read multiple times is entitled The Go-Giver. These books really teach you how to be a selfless person, and a person who leads with value in every room they walk in. It shows you how Helping people get what they want will in turn help you get what you want. Other books, I recommend are, Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss which is great for those who do a lot of negotiations in there work place. And the laws of success by Napoleon Hill Which is amazing for daily mindset.

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