Meet Fee Smith | Entrepreneur, Business Consultant, Realtor, & Author

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

Hi Fee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business was the actual need for my services for myself and my family. It’s one thing to work a 9-5 with benefits counting the days until your next direct deposit hits. But it’s an entire different story when an unexpected occurrence happens and it puts a wrench in Everything moving forward!

My two daughters and myself almost became homeless due to me having surgery on my hip and my back. I was able to stay above water up until I missed two paychecks. Short-term disability didn’t kick in quicker than the bills were coming in and I began to drown.

The city I had moved to had a ton of resources, I just had no clue about them so I began to do my research. After I utilized some of them and got back on my feet, I started attending classes in every free workshop I could find and vowed I’d be there to assist those in need.

Not everyone is homeless due to drugs or alcohol. Some people really are just that one paycheck away from being homeless and just one small event can cause a rippling effect.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others is my professionalism, integrity, drive, and passion I have for what I do. If I can’t find someone to do what I’m passionate about, I invest in myself to obtain the knowledge so I can get whatever needed to be done completed. For instance, I was very shocked at how many Realtors were uneducated on the homeowners process for veterans to obtain a home. So I went to real estate school, passed the exam, obtained my license, became a Realtor, and specializes in veterans obtaining homes utilizing their VA entitlement.

I got to where I am today by sheer Faith, Determination, Sacrifice, and a very few people who never gave up on me no matter what ups and downs would arise. It definitely was not easy. There was alot of tears, pitfalls, disappointments and a whole lot of No’s! My Faith in God knowing He wouldn’t put an idea in my mind this big and not have a way for me to bring it out is what kept me going. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t give up, I had 2 daughters (then, now 3) looking up at me with stars in their eyes expecting me to keep going! A Queen is all they’ve known so I couldn’t give up or turn back Ever At No Point!

The lesson I’ve learned along the way were:
1. Have Faith and Stand Strong On It!!
2. Never settle! Don’t Be so quick to accept that No!
3. Persistence and Consistency is key in building your brand or business!
4. I don’t care how many people tell you how foolish your idea is, Still Pursue It! The Vision was given to you and not them for a reason!
5. Your Team Is Just As Valuable As You Are! Never Ever Forget That! Don’t Get Caught Up In The I’s. Say more We not I !
Those are just a few lessons!

My Brand is my Business and my Business is my Brand! When you see Fee Smith the Realtor, you’re seeing the President and founder of Diamondstud Foundation, you’re seeing Fee Smith the Business Consultant, you’re seeing Fee Smith the Entrepreneur, you’re seeing Fee Smith the Author and much more! I’m here to educate and serve my community to the fullest capacity!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came here I would plan her first 1st day at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa to get the cares and worries of the world off of her by providing massages, facials, mud baths, mani/pedi, exquisite meals, and all the extras to get her in gear for our time. The 2nd day would start with a great breakfast downtown St. Petersburg at one of the many chic spots. Then off to one of the beautiful beaches the bay area has to offer. Some fun in the sun with private cabanas, cocktails, blue ocean waters and a bunch of laughs. I would also plan day 3 for just museums and art galleries. St. Petersburg, Fl and Tampa, Fl has an array of places to go starting with the Central Arts District and the African American museums. The 4th 5th and 6th day would consist of just some fun adventurous places like Busch Gardens and Adventure Island not to mention taking a 45 minute ride to Orlando for a whole different experience! On day 6 night would be an elegant dinner at one of my favorite restaurants J. ALEXANDER, in Tampa, Fl and finish enjoying or nightlife at a popular lounge on Davis Island. By the time day 7 came, she’d probably want to move here! That’s EXACTLY how I moved here from NYC!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to the Most High God for giving me life and a vision. My mother Ms. Gwendolyn Harris for being my biggest supporter, my rock, my therapist, and a true Mommy! My Daughters for sacrificing with me and riding through all of our journeys. And lastly My business partner Micheal Baker for seeing the vision as I did and making sure those visions came to light.

Website: Diamondstudfoundation.com

Facebook: FN SMITH, Fee Smith-Realtor, and Diamond Foundation