Community Highlights: Meet Chantel Smith of Keller Willams Southern Premier/ CAFE Real Estate Team/ Jabez Investment Group

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

Hi Chantel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am from the small town of Barnesville, Georgia, and my journey has not been a straight line. It has been filled with change, loss, rebuilding, faith, and learning how to keep moving forward.

I have always had a heart for helping people, and over the years, that has led me into several entrepreneurial ventures. One of those was owning and operating a successful, growing daycare center while living in another state. That chapter of my life eventually ended along with my previous marriage, and I found myself having to start over in ways I never expected.

I am also the mother of three sons, and so much of my drive comes from wanting to build a meaningful life for myself while showing them what it looks like to keep going, even when life does not go according to plan.

Real estate has remained a consistent part of my professional journey. I have always believed in continuing to learn, grow, and strengthen my knowledge of the industry. Most recently, I earned my Broker’s license and now serve as an Associate Broker with my brokerage.

There was also a season when life required much more from me personally. I went through a very difficult divorce that forced me to rebuild many parts of my life. Then, in 2024, I witnessed the shooting death of a family member at the hands of another close family member. That experience changed me deeply. Grief and trauma caused me to look at life differently, and there were moments when simply getting out of bed felt like an accomplishment.

Through faith, therapy, counseling, and the support of people around me, I gave myself permission to heal instead of rushing the process. That journey also deepened my desire to understand people and help others navigate difficult seasons. I decided to continue my education and pursue certification as a Life Coach.

Today, I have returned to real estate full time with renewed purpose and determination. I am rebuilding my brand as a Realtor® and Associate Broker, but I am also rebuilding from a different place. I understand more clearly who I am, what matters to me, and the kind of impact I want to make.

My story is still being written, but this chapter is about moving forward with faith, purpose, and the courage to build again.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Some of my greatest struggles have been working through depression, grief, trauma, and even my own self-doubt. There have been many times along this journey when I have had to start over, reset, and rebuild.

Starting over is never easy, especially when you thought you had already found your footing. But each time I had to rebuild, I learned something new. I learned more about myself, my strength, my faith, and what truly matters to me.

Most importantly, I learned that starting over does not mean I failed. Sometimes rebuilding is simply part of becoming the person you were meant to be. Every season, even the difficult ones, has taught me something and helped shape the woman I am today.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Keller Willams Southern Premier/ CAFE Real Estate Team/ Jabez Investment Group?
I am a Realtor® and Associate Broker with the CAFE Real Estate Team, powered by Keller Williams Southern Premier. I also own Jabez Investment Group, LLC, my real estate investment company.

I am licensed throughout the state of Georgia, but my primary focus is listing and marketing homes across South Metro Atlanta, particularly in Lamar, Spalding, Butts, and Henry counties and the surrounding communities.

What sets me apart is the way I combine strategy with genuine connection. For me, selling a home is about much more than putting a sign in the yard. People are trusting me with one of their largest investments and, in many cases, a major life transition. I take that responsibility seriously. I look closely at how each property is presented and how we can use strategic marketing, social media, community connections, and my knowledge of the local market to create greater exposure and position the home well.

Brand-wise, I am most proud that I am building something that genuinely reflects who I am. My brand is polished and professional, but it is also warm, approachable, faith-centered, and community-minded. I want people to see that you can pursue excellence without losing your authenticity.

I also want my brand and impact to extend beyond real estate. I am passionate about my community, mental health, faith, family, education, and helping people navigate major life transitions. Real estate is an important part of what I do, but it is not the entirety of who I am. Ultimately, I want the work I do, both personally and professionally, to leave people and communities better than I found them.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Faith and persistence have been the two qualities that have carried me the most. My faith has helped me trust God even during seasons when I did not understand what was happening or what would come next. It has given me something to hold onto when life felt uncertain.

Persistence has taught me to keep going. I have had to start over, reset, and rebuild more than once, but I have learned not to allow difficult seasons to define the rest of my story. I may have had moments when I needed to slow down, heal, or change direction, but I did not give up.

Together, my faith and persistence have taught me that I do not have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. I just have to be willing to take the next step.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ChantelSmith.kw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantel_therealtor

Image Credits
Kim Andrews, My Kind of Photography