Glass Inc. - Reflections 1999-2019

If Bobby Smith has been the inspiration for Glass, Inc., in the past, the future lies in his three grandchildren — Rob, Justin, and Kristen — all employees of Glass, Inc. “Teach your daughters to worry less about fitting into glass slippers and more about shattering glass ceilings.” Melissa Marchionna Digital Marketer for the New York Jets Kristen Smith- Communications/Public Relations Director I have such a vivid memory of being 8 years old, sitting in my father’s lap at our kitchen table while he designed the Glass, Inc. logo. In that moment, I had no way of knowing how special that memory would be for me twenty years later, as he and the entire Glass, Inc. team have built one of the largest glass companies in the South- east. I remember watching him hustle, striving to satisfy customers, and to make ends meet. Much of his time was spent building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with people. He built genuine relationships with people from the very start, and I believe that’s why he has been so successful. People do business with people they like. My father instilled this principle in me at a young age, and it has helped me tremendously in both my per- sonal and professional life. “It’s not about the sale,” he would tell me, “it’s about the con- nection you have with people and how you relate with them. If you get to do business with them, well that’s just a bonus.” My father grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi, so we spent a lot of time in the Delta with my grandparents when I was grow- ing up. With both my grandad and dad being avid outdoors- men, our family gatherings were spent at our hunting camp and in the duck blind. The Delta is in our blood. It has influenced who we are — The Smith family — today. Dad has taught all of us the importance of balancing work and play. You work hard, and you play hard. Our camp serves as an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of our industry as we love bring- ing employees and customers to our little slice of paradise. It al- lows us to relax and connect with them outside of work, where we can really let our hair down, build those genuine relation- ships, and make lifelong memories. When I came to work for my dad in January 2017, he looked me in the eyes in his office and said “Okay baby girl, go set the world on fire.” I am incredibly grateful and humbled by my role at Glass, Inc. My primary focus is on business development, sales, marketing, and involvement with industry organizations throughout the Southeast. I have the privilege of promoting and representing what he created as I sat in his lap at our kitchen table twenty years ago. The logo carries a great deal of weight for me. Every time I see it I am reminded of all of the risk, hard work, disci- pline, and determination behind it. My brothers and I all play very different roles in the company because, luckily, our strengths and weaknesses are not the same. I look forward to carrying on my father’s legacy with both of them in the years to come. Con- gratulations to you, Dad, and the entire Glass, Inc. team on ac- complishing twenty years in business. Here’s to the next twenty! AMessage from the Next Generation Justin Smith, Estimator/Project Manager This book was written to tell you about a family business — a business that started from nothing and grew to be one of the largest glazing contracting firms in the Southeast. You now know the story, but you also need to know about the individuals who helped this company become what it is today. On the outside, the name Smith makes us family, but it is nothing more than a name. My family includes the individuals who have been by our dad’s side over the last 20 years. Dale Minchew, Billy Jones, and Mitchell Moffet have been like uncles to me; Buddy Pickard and Joe Heiden like older brothers. Beverly Smith, you keep Dad moving forward on a straight path. I’m extremely grateful for everything this group has done, and I’m blessed to have them as a part of my family. The art of being successful is about surrounding yourself with highly suc- cessful people. I work with the best people in the world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I hope one day my kids will have the same experience. Rob Smith, Estimator/Project Manager My father taught me to have a good work ethic. From a young age, I can remember dad talking construction and business, and as the years went by, I saw him succeed — every time he went into business. After graduating from high school, I went to college. I soon realized that wasn’t for me; I wanted to go to work. That was January of 2000, six months after dad started Glass, Inc. I re- member asking him if I could come to work for him at the new company. He said, “Yes, son, but you are going to have to hustle and prove yourself.” I started as a helper on a truck. A year later, I was running a city service truck. I spent about four years installing residential glass and another two years on the commercial side. Then, I moved into the office and managed our city service department. I held that position for the next ten years. I moved to Gulfport in 2008, and I have been there ever since. For the last three years, I’ve served in estimating and project managing. Dad is one hell of a businessman. I’ve watched him through the years grow this company into the largest glass company in the Southeast. He instilled in me that a man is only as good as his word, and I took that to heart. You tell someone you are going to do something, you do it! That, along with building re- lationships with our contractors and vendors, and the awesome team of employees of Glass, Inc. were the key factors in becoming the successful man he is today. Dad is an avid outdoorsman and loves to hunt and fish, and I’m thankful he instilled that in me. We have a duck camp in the Delta. We enjoy getting together with fam- ily, friends, and customers. My first nineteen years have been challenging and rewarding. I look forward to the next twenty years —watching the contin- ued success of my father’s company, as well as being a part of the next generation of the Glass, Inc. family.