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Lifestyle Expert, B. Smith is Living Proof that having
Passion and Persistence Pays Off.

A Keeping Family First Exclusive Interview

by Anita S. Lane  

Truly an enterprising woman, B. Smith is passionate about life and she knows how to turn her passion into dollars and cents.  A former super model, B. Smith was the first African American to grace the cover of Mademoiselle in 1976.   

Now, B. Smith is a savvy businesswoman who, in partnership with her husband of 14 years, is still breaking down barriers and pioneering in the arena of business.  B. Smith shares her passion for food with the world via her elegant restaurants in New York, Sag Harbor and Washington D.C.   Her success in the incredibly difficult restaurant industry is a testimony of her perseverance and commitment to excellence.

But there is more to B. Smith than great food.  She hosts the nationally syndicated show, B. Smith with Style—now in its seventh year.  She is the author of two books; B. Smith:  Rituals and Celebrations and B. Smith’s Cooking and Entertaining for Friends; and she carries a full line of domestics merchandise and home furnishings at Bed Bath and Beyond.  B. Smith even has her own line of jewelry sold on QVC.

Determined to pursue her passions, B. Smith continues to reinvent and propel herself to higher levels.   She is an inspiring example of a woman who knows how to live life to its fullest and live it with Style. 

I am honored to have B. Smith share her passion with the Keeping Family First Family.

B. Smith, What is your passion?
Food—at home, in our restaurants, on our TV shows, on radio and in my books.  Overall, my passion is sharing the secrets to living a stylish, healthy, positive lifestyle.

You began your career as a model. When did you first know you wanted to become a model?
As a teenager, I was 5’8” and I wanted to be in the Ebony Fashion Fair.  I prepared by attending John Robert Powers Modeling School on Saturdays during high school.

Did you also have an interest in cooking or in throwing parties when you were young?
I grew up cooking with my mother, father, grandmother and aunts.  I spent a lot of time in their kitchens. Growing up it was really very tight-knit and a lot of people—big holidays.

I also enjoyed helping my mother get ready for her dinner parties – cleaning silver, setting the table.  I loved it when she entertained family and friends.  I inherited the foundation for what I do today.

I’ve read that while pursuing a modeling career you literally knocked on doors until your  knuckles bled.  Is that so?
Yes, because some people are discovered and others—who really aspire to be a model—work at it.  Doors to the fashion world didn’t automatically open.  I tried out for The Fashion Fair three years in a row until I was selected. Even when I was trying to get into the agency, I zeroed in on one agency that I wanted to be with and that was Wilhelmina. 

About the third time I went there she would always say, Get new pictures and come back."  I finally said to her, “Listen, it’s hard to get new pictures. The photographers hassle you.  They are interested in things other than pictures.”  Or they say, “I’ll do this for you, but I want you to do this for me…”  So I said, “Unless you make the phone call--” and she looked at me like, “Mmm…” and she made the phone call.  The next day I was in a studio with props, makeup hair dressers…  The day after, I had those pictures and when I walked in, she looked at them and she hired me.

Back then, being African American, there were very few instant successes—Beverly Johnson being one, and later it would be Iman.  I came right after Beverly Johnson. If you really look at the business, there was only Beverly Johnson; one Iman; one Tyra Banks... 

…That’s what Tyra says about herself and Iman—that there can only be one top supermodel…
Right…Now there is Liya Kebede …who is beautiful.  She is the face of Estée Lauder (and Estée Lauder's first spokeswoman of color).  Liya doesn’t have the “name” like the others, though.  But that’s because she is married and has two young children and she treats it like a business.  She’s not out there partying… Because the “partying” has a lot to do with getting the business. 

Wow…
Yeah, it’s really involved.

What was the driving force behind your persistence to get on the Ebony Fashion Fair Tour?
As a young child our parents used to bring us to New York.  We would come to the World Fair.  We also had some relatives here and I fell in love with the city.  I knew I wanted to be a model and I knew that once I left home I wasn’t going to be going back home.  So failure wasn’t an option.  My father used to tell me when I was young that “You shouldn’t marry someone who can’t take care of you better than me.” That empowered me in a way, but I always knew that I would take care of myself.  So when I finally met my life mate, we would both come into the relationship bringing something to the table.

As a Black girl, the women of Ebony Fashion Fair were women who set the bar high and I wanted the Fashion Fair to be my stepping stone. It was the perfect path to my future.  I met one of my best friends on tour.  (I’m her son’s Godmother.)

You were the first African American to grace the cover of Mademoiselle magazine.  Can you recall what that experience was like for you?

I was on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine in July 1976.  How ironic (prophetic).  It was the Bicentennial year. I was truly extremely proud to be Black.

What was the most positive aspect of modeling for you?
Learning the art of resilience. As a model, you are your business.  When I started I made $60 and hour.  If it was 5 minutes, I made $55.  You learn quickly what your priorities should be.

What aspect of modeling did you like the least?
The competition but at the same time, it fueled my determination.  I learned that if it was meant for me it would happen.

Has a lot changed in the modeling industry now?  What word of advice would you give to young women interested in modeling today?
The business has changed.   More actresses and singers are the reigning cover girls and models in choice high-paid ads and TV commercials.

My advice to anyone contemplating getting into the modeling industry is to be realistic.  Do you have what it takes? (The “right” look physically) As well as discipline, the emotional control, and the ability not to succumb to sex and drugs, etc.

Modeling took you all over the world. Was it your travels that fueled your passion for the great food and travel that you now feature on B. Smith with Style?
I arrived in New York with a passion for great food.  As a child, the family visits were very inspiring. The fruits, vegetables and flower stands, the neighborhood foods and street vendors were so exciting.  Plus I knew great taste from the family meals -- home-made root beer, great desserts and savory, well-seasoned foods.

I’ve read that preparing meals and throwing wonderful parties was your favorite hobby before you turned it into a business venture.  At what point did you decide, “Hey, I should make this a business?”
After I signed the lease for my first apartment no the Upper East Side in New York City, it was all about decorating and entertaining and impressing friends and colleagues.  I even cooked in a small club on Friday and Saturday nights, because I loved it.  

I knew I wanted to eventually go into the business. So I did my homework, took a few seminars at a restaurant show, and wrote down my goals. About six years later, I opened my first restaurant—but not before I worked in a newly opened restaurant to learn how it all comes together.  From pre-opening day through the first year--I was hooked.  It was my business.

I think you’re a marvelous example of a woman who is pursuing her passion – and not only one of her passions but many.  You have a nationally syndicated TV show on TV One, a jewelry line on QVC, two books and a full line of domestics at Bed Bath and Beyond.  Is there a secret to doing more than one thing well?

Start with a foundation, build each floor one at a time.  There is a certain synergy between all of my businesses. While I wear many hats, there is a consistency and my businesses are family-friendly (although the restaurant business is one of the most difficult and has a low survival rate).  

The upside is, I work with my husband.  My daughter grew up helping and she is a "natural" at this.  She, too has finely tuned senses (taste buds) and understands customer service.  Not every venture works, but I continue to be creative and look forward. The secret is passion and not being afraid to take a chance.

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in pursuit of your passion?
People never want to give you the credit due and it’s certainly difficult to get funding without giving up more than you want of your business.

How do you overcome it?
I overcome it by working harder.  I continually have to prove myself. 

I love the fact that you and your husband work so closely together in business.  It’s great to see the two of you together on the show and in your books…and that’s pretty uncommon. Was it intentional that the two of you would work together, or did it just evolve?
It worked that I went from working as a model to commercials (as well as theatre, night clubs, etc., in between)—

Theatre and Nightclubs?  I didn’t know about that…
Yes.  Being with an agency like Wilhelmina, they wanted you to be the best you could possibly be.  So, I wanted to sing, so I learned to sing.  I sing the theme song to my show.  Years ago when I did have my night club act, Freddie Jackson was one of my backup singers.

But I wanted to be “great.”  And I didn’t feel that I was “great.”  I was okay.  Like, I would not have won American Idol.

Well, you might have…
Yeah, but you know what you’re good at.  I’m good at restaurants.  I’m good at the television show, cooking on TV, lifestyle and things like that.  So I have found what really works for me.  And if I sing occasionally, like for the theme song, then that’s all a plus.  Some things you’re better at than others and I think you have to recognize that and go with your strengths.

True.  Now back to your wonderful working relationship with your husband…
Well, it was important that I understood my business and that I met a man with his own business history.   We were both in the business of “show” and we were both looking for the right person to complement each other.  He was the one who put me on TV.  He created B. Smith With Style.  And I put him in the restaurant business. We both wanted the community to see a black couple/family work, love and live together with style.  Our business co-mingled easily as did our family life.

What’s the best part about working so closely with your husband?
The best part about working with my husband is that we are so in sync and we complement each other in style. He "blocks" for me.  He says he "keeps the time eaters away.”  He’s also great on the business side which allows me to be creative.  And we’re both good with people--which is a must in our businesses.

What do you think is the key to making a business relationship within a marriage work?
Laughter and learning.  You must be able to grow.  Relationships evolve.  They evolve and get better and better.  Almost like kids as you watch them grow and as they learn something new they just get better and better. 

But you also have to let each individual be him or herself.  And each person must bring their strengths to support the union.  Respect is key.

You’re involved in a lot of business ventures.  You’re in New York and you’re in a tough, competitive industry. What do you believe is the key to your enduring success?
We hate to lose, but you have to know how to move on or change directions if things are not working out!  We’ve both stood on a mountain of no’s to get one yes. We won’t give up. We make adjustments.  Like sports teams, we go back and strategize.  We set new goals, take more meetings, etc.

Now, there is a lot of pressure to have everything just right for meals and for out of town guests.  What’s the most important thing to keep in mind while entertaining?
That it’s not about perfection, it’s about passion. At this time of the year I will start to keep items in my house that I can put together at the last minute.  It can be something as small as cheese and wine, hors d’oeuvres and assorted crackers.  Items I can pull out at the last minute. Even things like microwave popcorn.  I flavor it with different seasonings like mesquite or maybe something a little sweeter like cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg.  These aren’t big things.  They are things that kids can eat as well as adults. 

I’m also working with Betty Crocker.  I have a Betty Crocker Cornbread and Muffin mix that I’m on the cover of.  And the reality is that everybody doesn’t have time, nor do they have all the ingredients in the house to make cornbread.  And I think that mixes are great.  All you have to do is doctor it up.  There are so many things you can do with it. 

I created an apple cobbler using the mix.  You make the cobbler with butter, cinnamon and nutmeg and you sauté it.  You put that in the bottom of the pan.  You mix up your muffin mix and put a little cinnamon and nutmeg in and sprinkle a little sugar on top. Put it in your iron skillet and put it in the oven.  Or you could put it in a casserole dish.  And there you’ve got a cobbler.

I like to do things that are easy.  I like to be elaborate when I have time and I can plan things.  But I always keep things in the house that I can prepare at the last minute.  And if I didn’t do the cobbler as a dessert with ice cream, then let’s say I had muffins in the morning, I’d have fried apples and eggs…and that’s breakfast!

I think that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.  The other thing is, you can always ask people to bring things.  And they will—happily.  Many times we want things to be “perfect.”  Hopefully things will be as close to perfect as they can be, but you can’t make yourself crazy.  You have to have fun too.  If you’re always only doing things for the children or only doing things for your husband and you’re not getting much enjoyment out of it, then that doesn’t make for a good mom or a good relationship.

That’s true.  And the holidays are supposed to be fun for everybody.
Exactly.  And everything doesn’t have to be Christmas Eve or Christmas Day…New Years Eve or New Years Day.  I mention in my book, Rituals and Celebrations, I had a pajama party and suggested that people stay at one house (if you have a large enough house).  Have everybody under the same roof. 

Oh, now that sounds like fun—a big family party!
Yeah, and then everybody has a good time.  The kids have their own little party, and you can have an older kid to be the leader for the kids.  Then there are things like a dessert dance party for adults.  Break out all that old Motown dance music.   And have each couple bring a dessert.  But you have to put a menu together so that you don’t have duplicates.  You want the desserts to be interesting.  You want there to be a variety.  But that’s another fun thing to do.

That is so wonderful.  My last question is—What does the future hold for B. Smith?
I want to continue to grow my brand—hopefully to become an international brand.  And I would love to do more television.  We’ll see if we’re going to get another show or not.  But I don’t worry about it. You just do what you do and do the best you possibly can.

And do it with style, right?
Right.  And I do have my radio tips that I do on WBLS that will eventually be syndicated too.  So radio I think is a good place to be.  [Hear B’s tips at http://www.wbls.com/BSmith.html]

That’s true. I’ve heard those online too.  Well, thank you so much for your time…
You’re welcome!  I hope you have a fabulous holiday season and life is going to be good for you I know.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

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http://Bsmith.com