Meet Renaee Smith | International Award Winning Author and Business Owner

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

Hi Renaee, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
The habits that have helped me to succeed are working hard, staying focused and never giving up. When others are sleeping I am up putting plans in place and making adjustments to actions that were already taken. I don’t expect from others what I won’t do myself. What has helped me to progress in business is my mantra “What am I waiting for?” So many times fear stops us from making that leap and we can sometimes miss opportunities. Whenever I get that “Feeling” coming on I ask myself that question. That usually helps to jumpstart my brain and get me moving.

As I have been in business now for several years I have also developed a new mantra of “Working Smarter, Not Harder”. This many sound contradictory to what I stated above, but it isn’t. This is the only way that you can successfully build your business without experiencing burnout. This is not to say I don’t work hard, because I do, however I put systems in place to help build my business that alleviates some of the physical and mental stresses that can and will occur.

For me staying focused is key when I have 3 businesses that I operate. I know, that sounds like a lot, but I have to diversify so that I can survive in this ever changing world. Again having the systems in place over time will free up your day to day and you can now manage your business or businesses without having to be hands on day in and day out (literally and figuratively) .

Never Giving Up seems like a given, however, when the stressors of being in business hit and they come at you one after the other, sometimes you want to throw your hands in the air and say “I GIVE UP”. I am here to tell you to hang in there. Rome wasn’t built in a day. A few people have success where there did exceptionally well in there first year of business, that is not the norm. So be kind to yourself, take a step back, reassess your position and try again. Seek out wise counsel on how to make changes to improve your business model. You may need to check out a webinar to learn new techniques to help you in your business. Research the competition, see what they are doing. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel you just have to make it work for your business. Implement new strategies to build and grow your business. These are all things that I have done to help me succeed.

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?
I have 3 separate businesses that I own and operate. Renaee Smith the brand where I promote my books and sell my crochet items. Independent Authors Book Experience a nonprofit organization that promotes and empowers independent authors through various workshops and event thereby promoting literacy for all ages. My publishing company Independent Authors Publications that brings books to life.

My dedication to my craft sets me apart for others. Whether I am writing a book or creating a scarf or blanket I always put my whole heart in the message being relayed in the book or the design of the crocheted item.

I get very excited over small things, but what I am most excited about at this time is the fact that in 2021 I will be publishing a children’s book with my mother. She has had a tremendous impact on my life and so this was one of my goals which will be achieved this year.

I am able to get where I am in business right now, because of a lot of hard work and dedication and sticktuitiveness (yes that’s my word). It was not difficult, but it wasn’t easy. I had to learn a lot on the way, whether by trial and error or by learning from someone else. I did most of the work myself, because starting out I did not have the financial backing. However, as time progressed I learned how to raise funds for my nonprofit and where to find those individuals who needed my services to write and publish their books. I learned to promote my books and the derivatives to establish myself as a children’s book author.

The key to growing your business is getting the right people in your corner. If you don’t have the right skill set to do a particular task such as building a website or managing your books, I encourage you to start small if you have to but pay the money to get it done correctly. This will save you time and money and a lot of heartache in the long run. Don’t be pennywise and pound foolish.

For me I would like the world to know that if you put God first, anything is possible. That when you are passionate about your craft it comes through and people will seek you out. That your gifts will make room for you. I can’t tell you how many times I have been to places where people recognize my face even with a mask on. I am making a difference in the lives of the children I connect with through my books. I am making a difference in the lives of the authors that I help to promote and empower through my nonprofit. I am making a difference in the lives of writers who have a desire to become published through my publishing company.

I am leaving a legacy for my children, that they too will be impactful in this journey called life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a home body. I spend most of my time at home reading, writing or crocheting. However, if my friends are visiting we engage in some retail therapy or we may go to a spa. I like to try new restaurants when they are in town so the last visit we tried the Vietnamese restaurant. As a foodie I am pretty open to trying new restaurants.

Depending on which friend it is we may enjoy a bit of culture – a play or performance. It depends on what is currently happening here or in New York which I am not too far from.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my parents Oscar and Nella Perrier. They have poured into me in so many ways and for that I am truly thankful. They have always encouraged me to do my very best and to try new things. As I have gotten older I realize where some of my traits came from.

From my mother, my love for writing, reading and helping others. My mother has been a teacher for over 50 years. She loves to write stories and poems for her students. She has also won an award for a play she wrote. My mother is also very philanthropic opening her home and heart to others.

From my father the numbers guy – I also became a numbers person. For many years I worked as a Financial Analyst. My father was very organized and that skill I learned has helped me in managing my 3 businesses.

Website: www.renaeesmith.com

Instagram: Author Renaee Smith

Linkedin: Renaee Smith

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

Image Credits
The Group Shot – John Henry Portrait images – Torrin Fine Photography All other Shots – Renaee Smith