We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Terrence Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Terrence below.

Terrence, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the decision of whether to donate a percentage of sales to an organization or cause – we’d love to hear the backstory of how you thought through this.

Yes. 75% of my book sales and sales from my Company BitterSweet Grind Clothing & Socks goes back to my community of Beaumont, Tx for my annual Back to school Backpack and *scholarship giveaways. August 3rd this year made my 8th year giving out 500 backpacks without a nonprofit, doing what God put in my heart engaging in social entrepreneurship.

Terrence, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Known as Terrence “Weasel” Smith and is from Beaumont, Tx. Growing up in a Poverty-Stricken Environment, I knew it was a world outside of what my eyes saw every day. As a young kid around 6 years of age, I use to watch tv and imagine that I could be the first to make it out of this setting and to do something great in life. I just didn’t know how, but I had wisdom early on to know God will bless me if i sacrificed what everyone around me was doing. This meant at the time, drinking, smoking, tattoos and much more. I always loved business and loved watching entrepreneurs on television speak on their life story and used this as fuel to make it out of the low-income housing. I have graduated from Texas A&M University at College Station, Tx (Sociology) , Lamar University at Beaumont, Tx (Entrepreneurship) and University of Phoenix (MBA), respectfully. I published 3 books: The Highs and Lows of a Young Black Man Journey (2013), Whatever It Takes to Make It (2016), and Fortune 500 Dad (2021) in which all is available on amazon.com, Barnes&noble.com, Walmart.com and everywhere online. I always wanted to share a perspective that would unite different worlds and ethnic groups being the bridge that keep them together with my writing. Thats ultimately lead me to becoming an author because I wanted to motivate people that it’s never about your start but more about how you finish in life that defines you as an individual. So, starting my Clothing and Sock line called Bittersweet Grind, I wanted to start an apparel line that spoke to the reality of entrepreneurs’ grinding for success. Losses that’s inevitable in life makes us bitter, however the wins we achieve are always sweet. Furthermore, when you Grinding trying to grow into your purpose, we will have to experience both that builds our confidence and character along the way. All in all, when customers wear my brand, they can feel like it represents their own unique story. Thats how I got into the clothing and book industry’s i just had a passion for conveying a certain message that spoke to potential customers to make them feel like they have been a part of the journey with me as well because the authentic place it represents. Each purchase of my products rather shirt, socks, or books, I donate back into my community to build the community thats shopping with me.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy growing my clientele is by having clients send me pics of them wearing my products. I then post them or even pay for them a photo shoot in my brand then after as a token of my esteem. Once they post and spread word, then others potential customers reach out to see what the hype about. As soon as they open my shirts, they see it’s the softest material 100% cotton soft and stretchy. The quality of merchandise sales itself, however social media can make your brand grow marketing it the correct way so fast.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think what have help me build my reputation within my market is showing customers love and treating the relationship of more value than just being a transaction. People see me reply back to everyone on social media even when they don’t support so they have an organic feel of me being very humble. Also treating every customer with respect rather they spend $20 or $2000. When you are nice and have gratitude, the word spread and never forget word of mouth is still powerful in the year 2024. People trust their friends’ opinions and people of influence so what they say about the way you do business actually matters. Also, I have a rewards program where if i have loyal customer, if they buy 2 shirts then i give them a shirt or pair of socks free. I show my customers that they are appreciated spending hard earn money with me and I try and reward them, so they feel valued and seen by the owner directly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.authorhouse.com/en-gb/search?query=Terrence+weasel+smith
• Instagram: @weaselbmt
• Facebook: Terrence “Weasel” Smith
• Youtube: @terrenceweaselsmith