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

Hi Norris, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
#PrayerPracticePatience is an affirmation I created to apply in my own life at a very challenging aspect of it. I was about as low as a person can be mentally yet I felt a change coming. I started looking at inspirational videos on YouTube from people like Steve Harvey and developed a stronger relationship with God. I realized that prayer is vital to every aspect in life but without your own effort towards whatever you’re praying for, you will be stuck in neutral. It was then that I realized that it all starts within SELF. As I begun to rebuild myself mentally and spiritually, I developed those 3 Ps and used them in every aspect in my life. You have to PRAY for everything you want, You have to PRACTICE/WORK towards everything you’re praying for not just sitting waiting for it to fall out of the sky, and most importantly you have to be PATIENT because nothing happens overnight. It was this affirmation that changed my life and I continue to use them to this day

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Becoming a bartender actually happened by accident. At the time, I was fully focused on starting a catering business and I had seen that offering bartending services boosts your chances of being booked. I had started a job working at a call center and honestly I loved being there because I’m a natural salesman. On the weekend shift, I would always go on the website for ABC Bartending School in Atlanta GA and just stare at the screen. It was something within me that was telling me to enroll in that school yet again I really had no intention of being an actual bartender. Eventually I enrolled and after finishing the classes, I became a certified bartender. Then what happened next was fate I guess. I started making drinks at home for family and friends then out of nowhere I was asked to bartend a wedding. Next thing I know, I was being asked to do events and the rest is history. I had finally found who I was meant to be. I love people so being around different people all the time actually makes me even more motivated to provide the best services of the highest quality. Of course I’ve learned that even something as simple as mobile bartending can scare people with small minds. I had a person in my hometown of Monticello GA who is a tax payer watchdog proceed to write an article about me and my services saying that I was a problem. Little did she know, she only helped grow my business. I’ve learned over the years to turn everything into lessons and free advertising. Once my services became in high demand, I set out to make sure that everyone in this world will know The Bartender Known As HunchYoBartender. My story is a story that all can relate to. It’s about looking up into the sky and actually reaching for everything you see up there. I was born and raised in Monticello GA and I take pride in that. The entrepreneurial spirit is all over our little town but very few actually embraces it and it’s an even smaller few who embrace it and turn it into something bigger than themselves. My Late Grandfather instilled me at an early age that creating your own way was THE ONLY WAY and his spirit lives on in me. I’m not aiming to be better than others, I’m aiming to create my own spot in this world as one of the greats. Monticello GA and the DNA that’s in me from all of the great men/women before me paved the way for me. I just picked up the torch and forged my own path. When you book my bartending services, you are taking part in the story that will one day inspire many. I love what I do and I love the ones I do it for. Together we will turn this brand into THE BRAND!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that I can attribute to success of my growing success but firstly I want to acknowledge God because it all begins with Him. My Grandmother because she listened to me at my lowest and she believed in me even when everyone else doubted my dreams. My Mother because when she seen the vision I had placed for myself, she became my biggest cheerleader. My Father because he reminds me every chance he gets of who I am and where I come from. My wife and kids are who motivates me daily because I strive to make life easier for them. Their unconditional love and excitement for what I do makes everything worth it. My circle of friends and family as well as everyone who’s ever supported my business whether it was booking my services or a simple share on social media it all matters on this journey because you cannot do it alone. A shoutout to myself as well because it takes a special person to build something from out of nothing and turn it into a success story. I love what I do and I love the people I do it for. We all are on this journey together.

Instagram: @hunchyobartender

Facebook: (Personal Page) Norris E Smith Jr (Business Page) HYB Bartending Services

Image Credits
Zombie Hustle Photography Happy Daze Bar & Grill

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