Meet Octavius Smith of O Smith Angency in Stone Mountain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavius Smith.

Octavius, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I remember my dad saying repeatedly “boy you’re going to have to work somewhere for 20 years if you want to retire with something”. So I figured the earlier I state the sooner I will get there. My professional life started in the Automotive Sector. I started as a part time salesman while I attended Mid Ga College working for the world’s largest tire manufacturer. There I found my passion for helping people and my love for cars. Throughout my 20 year career in the company, I held various roles-Service Manager, Profit Center Manager, District Manager and Area Sales, Manager. In my learnings throughout my leadership and personal growth, I found my teammates respected a person that was willing to work shoulder to shoulder with them. It also shows I cared for their personal growth and had their best interests at heart. I had some of my best times during this chapter in my life and forged some “super fantastic” friendships. I was fortunate enough to be able to lead an awesome team of professionals that always performed at the highest levels. Which afforded me some great exposure and professional development.

That leads me to my current endeavor with a Top 50 insurance company as an Agency Owner. I never thought I would be here but I was prepared for this once in a lifetime opportunity. All of the skills and experience I have gained will be needed to get me to my goals.

Has it been a smooth road?
For me, the biggest thing I had to learn in my early years was being able to talk the language. I had to listen actively and learn how to communicate my plans. That took getting to know my audience and being able to speak to them. I also had to learn to be patient. When building a team you have to give them time to grow and it’s not an overnight process.

Another challenge was being okay with not fitting in sometimes. Some people will judge you how you look, just know that’s their problem and not yours. And there is pretty much nothing you can do about it.

Please tell us about your business.
I recently opened my doors to my own Insurance Agency. I am affiliated with the #1 insurance company in the US, we specialize in Insurance, Bank, and Financial Service Products. We are known for being “Like a Good Neighbor” and I can say everything I have seen so far I just that-being part of the community I serve as an expert in my field. That wants to make sure all of our customers have all the information they need to make an informed buying decision.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like most about my city is that we have so much to do and such a diverse city. In one week I go to the county fair, head to superstar artist concert and catch a major sporting event. I would like to see all the surrounding counties come together to help with traffic congestion. Not sure what the hold up is there.

Contact Info:

• Address: O Smith State Farm
  2046 West Park Place Blvd Ste F
  Stone Mountain Ga 30087
• Website: osmithsf.com
• Phone: 770-498-2929
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osmithsf

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