Meet Nanci Smith | Founder & Brand Architect

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nanci Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nanci, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Maine where hard work wasn’t optional, trust was earned, and showing up mattered more than talking about it. That small-town grit and quiet resilience shaped how I move through the world—and it’s grounded the way I lead, collaborate, and build relationships.

I come from strong roots—parents who taught me that my name was everything. That it carried weight. That your word matters, and once you give it, you better mean it. They worked long hours and led by example—my mom smashing glass ceilings in a male-dominated industry, my dad leaving everything he knew in Oregon to start a life in Maine.

And still, they built something big. They rose to vice president-level roles, retired before 50, and taught me that success isn’t just about what you earn—it’s about how you show up.

From my dad, I learned how to talk to anyone—from the CEO to the janitor—and mean it. He showed me that kindness is never wasted, and that leadership has nothing to do with title and everything to do with how you treat people. We’re all human. We’re all carrying something. And a little respect goes a long way.

From my mom, I learned how to speak up, stand my ground, and never apologize for being strong.

Even in rural Maine, my life never felt small. It felt limitless.

I learned early on: if you want something, you don’t wait for permission—you create the opportunity. You carve your own path. And it doesn’t have to be paved—a dirt road will do just fine, especially if it leads to somewhere real.

That’s the mindset Rebel Pine was built on.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Rebel Pine Creative is a brand strategy and storytelling studio built for bold thinkers. We help purpose-driven companies, creative entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders clarify their message, elevate their presence, and connect with the people who matter most.

But Rebel Pine didn’t start with a business plan or a polished pitch.
It started with a feeling I couldn’t ignore: so much strategy, so little heart.

After nearly two decades leading executive communications at one of the world’s largest professional services firms, I had a front-row seat to powerful platforms—and missed opportunities. I partnered with C-suite leaders to shape their voice and vision, launched an enterprise-wide transformation that redefined how 170,000+ employees engaged with leadership, and built an immersive lab experience to help executives become better communicators and storytellers. I loved the challenge. I loved the complexity.

But the stories we were telling?
They weren’t always the ones people needed to hear.

So, I left a high-performing, high-profile role—not to escape something, but to build something better. It was a deliberate decision to bet on my values, my experience, and the people I knew I could help.

That’s how Rebel Pine Creative was born.

We don’t do fluff. We don’t do formulas.
What sets us apart is how personal this work is.
We dig deep to find the heartbeat of a brand and build from there—with clarity, creativity, and conviction.
Because when people know what you stand for, they pay attention.
And when they feel it, they stop scrolling, start caring, and lean in.
That’s when the connection becomes real.

One of my very first discovery calls was with a client who had poured time and energy into building her personal brand—but never felt truly aligned with the outcome. Within minutes, I saw what was missing. I turned around a proposal in 48 hours. By the end of our next call, we both nearly cried.

That moment didn’t just confirm my path—it defined it.
Because when someone finally feels seen, everything changes.

That’s the work. That’s the why. That’s Rebel Pine.

I’ve learned that clarity is key. That conviction is the most underrated competitive edge. And that facts speak louder than egos.

So what do I want people to know?
We’re not here to blend in or wait for permission.
We’re here to carve our own path with strong roots, wild ideas, and purpose. Because stories that resonate don’t just connect—they change the conversation.

Why did you pursue a creative career?

Because story has always been my first language. Whether I was writing, performing, or presenting, I’ve always been drawn to the power of words to connect, move people, and spark something bigger.

Rebel Pine is an extension of that—it’s where strategy meets soul, and where clarity becomes a catalyst for real connection.

I didn’t pursue a creative career to be clever (though stand-up comedy is still on my bucket list). I chose it because I believe that when people—and brands—know their story, really know it, they stop apologizing for who they are. They speak with purpose. They show up differently.

The voices that move me—Michelle Obama, Adele, Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn—don’t just tell great stories. They tell true ones. They use their platform with purpose—to speak honestly, own their journey, and make space for other voices, too.

That’s the kind of storytelling I’ve always believed in.
That’s the kind of work I’m proud to do.
Because helping someone find their voice and finally feel seen?
That part never gets old.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s no version of my story where I got here alone.

I’m endlessly grateful to my family—especially my husband, Brian, who saw the potential in Rebel Pine long before it had a name. Through job loss, late-night pep talks, apartment living, long commutes with three kids in three different schools, and a family breakdown that changed everything, you showed up—Every. Single. Time. I wouldn’t have had the courage to leap without your love behind me. Thank you for being my rock, my sounding board, and my safe place to land.

To Morgan—my best friend since fifth grade, and probably the only person on the planet who can match my energy. You’ve seen me through every version of myself. You remind me who I am when I forget. And that spontaneous trip to Hawaii? It was the first of many YESs—at a time when I needed it most. Thank you for being my compass.

To the mentors who shaped how I think, create, and connect, and to every client who took a chance on Rebel Pine—on me—thank you. Your trust gave this dream roots. You didn’t just believe in the work. You believed in the heart behind it. And for that, I’ll never stop being grateful.

And to my three greatest teachers—my kids, Maddux, Zoe, and Camden. You are my why. My truth-tellers, my chaos, my calm. You’ve taught me how to show up with love and empathy, even on the hard days. How to build something real, something meaningful—and still make space for joy in the middle of the mess.

This chapter didn’t begin with certainty.
It began with people who believed in me anyway.

Website: https://rebelpinecreative.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebelpinecreative

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebelpinecreative

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancifecksmith

Other: https://www.instagram.com/nanci.smith
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancifecksmith