Meet Ariel Smith: The Food Truck Scholar

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

Hi Ariel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk as a decision that comes with an end result you cannot determine for certain but could take you to another level if it works in your favor. Risks aren’t safe. Risks aren’t comfortable. Risk make you uncomfortable, and they will definitely make others around you feel uncomfortable if you play full out and big enough.

I will admit that a great portion of my life has been spent being safe; part of that stems from my family. They didn’t want me to make the same mistakes they did, and from that love AND fear, they instilled in me to not venture out. I lived a very sheltered life where even simple things like spending the night at a friends house was out of the question. When I got older, I struggled between taking more risks to live a fuller life and being afraid of what could happen. A lot of that fear presents itself in me being a first generation college student. I wanted to get out poverty and I also didn’t want to do anything that would take away the freedom I experienced in college, so I played everything safe…until safe became suffocating.

The first time I really took a risk was going to China during my senior year of undergrad. I had never been out of country, knew zero Mandarin, didn’t know anyone there or the two students I was traveling with and was going to be there for 4 months. Family was concerned and opposed initially and listed all the reasons why I should be afraid, I had no money at first, and then I had an internship offer in my degree field on the table- that I really didn’t want. I wanted the money but I knew I was going to be unhappy there. Meanwhile, I knew China was completely out my comfort zone but I wanted to travel. Making that decision to go, despite all the challenges before, during, and after, still remains one of my greatest risks and rewards. It was the first time I chose what I wanted over fear.

Since then, I’ve made other decisions that have yielded similar results- choosing to go after my masters when I had no job lined up, starting The Food Truck Scholar when others thought it wasn’t the right time, taking my savings to start it- all of it looked crazy but were the best decisions in the long run

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Food Truck Scholar is a media platform that covers all things food trucks while centering Black and Brown food trucks voices. It’s called The Food Truck Scholar because I’m a PhD student that is actually researching Black food trucks. So that’s one thing that sets me apart-I am the only scholar that I know of that specifically researches Black food truck owners. On top of that, I run a podcast that interviews food truckers and other people and companies within the food truck ecosystem with the majority being African American. I started with YouTube and Instagram lives in 2018 and then launched the podcast in March 2019 with just my iPhone and earbuds. Now in 2021 we are in our third season, booked for the rest of the year with interviews, listeners in over 70 countries and about 100 interviews recorded.

What I am most proud of is that this podcast and brand overall is something that food truckers found not just value in but also community. I get to watch them grow and they get to watch me grow. We are in this together and want to see each other win.

No it wasn’t easy! And it still isn’t easy! Every day I’m learning something to become better. Every level comes with new challenges and requirements I didn’t think of on the previous level or had to think about for that matter. But hey, those are opportunities. The bigger the risk, the bigger the gap- the greater the opportunity. I used to be afraid of things I didn’t know and would avoid them entirely. While I still have a long ways to go, I’m learning to embrace my blind spots and areas of ignorance as opportunities to seek counsel and gain understanding.

Ultimately, I want people to know that my goal for The Food Truck Scholar is that everyone has a story you can learn from. Sure, you can learn a lot of the logistics behind food trucking from other places and you check them out! But all of that doesn’t replace being able to listen to someone else’s journey for not only resources but also encouragement. Stories matter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re going to Birmingham, I have to share my favorite places to eat:

Aww Shucks, Simone’s Kitchen ATL, The Potbelly & Jelly, Yo Mama’s, Urban Smoke Bar & Grille, Granny’s Fish & Grits, Encore Rouge, A-Train Station, K&J’s Elegant Pastries, Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn Co, and Eugene’s Hot Chicken.

Definitely drop by and spend time in the historic 4th Ave Business District. Many know about the Black Wall Street in Tulsa and in Durham or even Sweet Auburn in ATL, but there was also 4th Ave in Birmingham- and it still stands with businesses til this day Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely shout out to my family. They are the reason I am who I am today- My great grandmother, my great aunt, my grandma, my uncle, my mom, my sister, and my little brother (who thinks he’s my dad lol) have all supported me along the way.

Shout out to some of my friends that I’ve had since high school. Whether we talk regularly or occasionally, they continue to love on me and push me.

I am grateful for friends who are also mentors that stretch me to be a better me. That push me to admit outright when I’m ignorant in something so I can learn.

I’m grateful to the teachers I had that really cared about learning and cultivating minds We need more of those.

I’m grateful to the friends and community I’ve gained during my doctoral journey that have become family

And of course, shout out to every person that has ever supported The Food Truck Scholar in any way big or small. THANK YOU!

Website: https://thefoodtruckscholar.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoodTruckSchola

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvOqNsPxTCi2nmce5UQMHQ

Other: Clubhouse: @FoodTruckSchola