Hidden Gems: Meet Kegdrick Smith of K3 Hauling and Grading

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

Hi Kegdrick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I attribute my start in construction to my grandfather, The Late and The Great, H.B. Williams. Ruston, LA. I spent my summers with my grandfather, who had the first black owned gas station, he was a bail bonds man, and all with a fifth grade education. I can remember in 1983 – 84, we pulled into a credit union on California Street, and I sat in a red pick up truck and he went inside. When he came back to the car he said, “I just went in there and paid that property off.” I said, “What does that mean grand dad?” He said, “Well, over your life with property, you have something called a mortgage and when you pay it off, you own it free and clear.”

And the words “free and clear” never left my brain. I always understood the words “free and clear” so with that, I’d get up at 5:30 am to be on the construction site with him soaking up all the knowledge I could. I also have to attribute my success to my grandfather Anderson James Smith who was also good with his hands, so my whole tutelage of Real Estate and construction comes from my upbringing and time spent with family down in Louisiana.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are no smooth roads in Real Estate or Construction, the main thing to stay focused on is clarity with your clients. You’re going to need contract negotiation knowledge, become well versed in communication, and. Sometimes you get into disputes with clients and it becomes a disparity, you might hear “Well I’m not going to pay you, take me to court.”

In this Business, One wrong thing can mean your life in business and Just by floating to much money on the job, Somebody say that they won’t pay you, and you’ve paid for employees, labor, etc, and it does place you into a different space in Business. With that, you put systems in place for protection because you’re subject to anything that can happen in your business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about K3 Hauling and Grading ?
We are known for all things construction. We specialize in concrete, outdoor construction, we build retaining walls, cut trees, flat work, demolitions, erosion control, etc. What sets us apart is that we’re a family company, we are huge on second chances when it comes to employment. very big on community empowerment, and affordable housing. We want the readers to know that our work is very thorough, and topped off with heightened professionalism.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck, I believe in divine destiny and I believe you put forth the effort to everything you want to receive. I believe I put in the work to be where I am and I’m reaping from that. I take the good and the bad with that as well. I’m responsible for all that I’ve accumulated on my shoulders but I have had plenty sleepless nights. You have to figure out how to do Business and avoid altercation. So luck, is something Kegdrick Smith doesn’t believe in, I believe in paying attention, learning lessons from other people, I believe in paying attention to those before me. As I’ve mentioned my grandfather H.B. Williams, He told me, “You can get a degree, but before you get any degree, you better get your ‘CS’ degree.” and the CS stood for Common Sense. Hard work, blood, sweat, and tears do everything for a man with a vision.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.k3haulingandgrading.com
• Instagram: @k3hauling

 

Image Credits
Kegdrick Smith
Kegdrick Smith Jr.
Kyler Smith