Chad Smith shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Chad, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m still learning from my dad, he woke up every morning with a smile on his face, just happy to be on this side of the dirt. He worked harder than anyone I knew, treated customers like family and spoke to everybody, regardless of who they were, or how they acted. You would never have known if there was anything ever wrong with him up to the day he died. I speak to him every morning on the way to work and thank him for what he did for me and hopefully I’m doing the same for my kids.. I wish he was here to see what his two boys have accomplished!!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Chad Smith proprietor of The Mad Mexican, restaurant and Food Truck, and The Pharmacy speakeasy. We are a family own business third generation. Myself, my wife and our youngest son Cole run and work every day and every aspect of the business.. I’m a graduate of Georgia Southern university with a degree in restaurant hotel, and institutional Administration with a minor in business. My family has been in the restaurant business for over 35 years. My mom, brother and his wife on the Redneck Gourmet as well, we’re both located and based in Newnan, Georgia on the court square.. The Mad Mexican is a Mexican barbecue fusion and we do the same on the Food Truck in Newnan and Warner Robbins, Ga. The Pharmacy speakeasy is a craft cocktail, 32 seat speakeasy located in the back of the restaurant.. Our Pharmacist/bartender, Sam creates special drinks, using all homemade ingredients to create specialty craft cocktails to fill prescriptions.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me most about work. He taught me the work ethic, how to treat people on how to succeed in business.. We grew up in a small town that has treated us very well, but because of my dad and his teachings, myself and my brother have grown in the family business for over 35 years. While I was in college my best friend and business owner Trey Britt taught me how to treat not only employees but customers as family. That is something I truly cherish, and I consider all of my customers and employees our friends and family as well.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, going through my divorce. I struggled with life and work until I met my wife, Angie, who had faith in me and pushed me to do my best. We have been married for over 22 years and have teo great sins, Dylan and Cole, their wives Caroline and Chrissy and our grandkids Andrew and Clara Jane. We are truly a family business. We believe in working hard and playing hard and spending time with family, which means the most to us. Blessed with great employees and a great community that we live in.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say to me that I am truly blessed to have an amazing family and a hard work ethic. They always tell me that I work harder than anybody they know. They say that I am a family man and enjoyed cooking, watching football and that I enjoy spending time with, grandkids, Family and friends.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that when I’m gone that people say that Chad was a great friend, husband, brother and father. That he would take the shirt off his back and give to anybody and that he always gave people a second chance. He was the guy that you could call at any time, no matter what you need and he would be there to do what he could for you and your family as well.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: the_mad_mexican/thepharmacyspeakeasy
- Facebook: The mad Mexican/The pharmacy speakeasy
Image Credits
Cole Smith
