Ebony C. Smith stays on the move. It’s hard not to as the owner and managing realtor of Bella Rose Realty LLC in Atlanta and the marketing director of Tucker Davis Law LLC in Marietta. Atlanta born and bred, Smith was educated in Atlanta Public Schools and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morris Brown College; she is rooted in her community and has over 20 years of experience in community service along with a fierce commitment to mentoring. Her passion and dedication to her community continues to propel her successful career.
Tell us why mentoring is so important to you.
I credit my success to mentoring. The “mentorship” and firm, solid upbringing of my parents, grandparents and extended “community” family is what I credit to my success. Mentoring is such a missing and needed element in today’s modern society. I try to incorporate this element in all facets of my endeavors. For example, I assisted with the daily operations of the ‘Transition into Law Practice’ program at the State Bar of Georgia for over 10 years, ensuring each beginning lawyer had the mandatory mentoring needed to be successful.
I believe that we shape and mold the quality of lives in our communities each day by what we deposit and encourage through model and example.
What is your favorite affirmation and how has it been a factor in your life?
My favorite affirmation, my “must” to live by, is Hebrews 11:1. Faith is believing when everything looks so wrong. You have to stand on the outcome working out in your favor no matter what. It will manifest and be done the way it is supposed to be. You have to trust in that.
Tell us about how building and fostering relationships has been a key factor in your success?
Building healthy, thriving relationships is one of the most “unselfish” tasks bestowed on a person. You have to constantly place other people over yourself in order to elevate that relationship. You have to ask yourself if the person is important enough to allow room for growth. Whether it is growth for them or for yourself. That unselfishness allows you to give without expectations.
Is there anything that scares you?
Not much. Being fearless has been an important factor in my success because you’ve got to take a leap of faith. As the saying goes, “scared money makes no money”. Also, growing up in Zone 1 of Atlanta shaped me. I am not scared of too many things…well, I do not watch scary movies!
Finish the sentence: Expressing gratitude to those around me …
Expressing gratitude to those around me is extremely important. I make the concerted effort to do more than the obligatory verbal “thank you”. Sometimes it’s that little something extra like, “Good Morning, I hope your day is amazing!” or “I am just stopping by to say thanks and I love you” that will really make someone else’s day.
Please describe your leadership style and tell us why you think it works.
Completing my Master of Science in Human Services with a Specialization in Executive Leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia has allowed me to combine life’s experiences and biblical principles to make an impact. My leadership style is simple. First, I will not ask anyone to do something I would not do. I want to understand their passion and vision because what I envision for them, they have to envision for themselves. If you see me grinding and pushing, then that’s my way of motivating others to become successful. They say you do one thing constantly for seven days, it can become a habit. I breathe life into my words and actions. God does not give favor to those who are idle.
What does being flexible mean to you?
While managing a successful real estate boutique, I have continued to work full time as Marketing Director of Tucker Davis Law, LLC, in Marietta, Georgia. Both of those industries are susceptible to market ebb and flow. So being agile and having the ability to adapt has proven successful because being able to change, bend or move with the wind has proven to help navigate those waters and ultimately brought success!
Any parting words?
Be passionate about what you do. Without passion … life would be less than beautiful.
A proud alumna of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Smith still gives back and works diligently for MBC by mentoring college students and led a successful Home Depot Retool Your School campus improvement project there in 2011. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and serves as Daisy Leader of Girl Scouts Troop #12728. She currently resides in Atlanta’s Ben Hill neighborhood with her new fiancé, Travis, and their 1-year old blue nose pit bull, Theo.
