Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Pozzi Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story has a windy road; it’s real, raw, a bit humorous and very adventurous.
I left Southern Methodist University in Dallas at the ripe age of 21. Hold on, let’s rewind for a second, graduated a year early from high school and was on a mission to finish in 4 years, even with a transfer from Austin Community College to SMU. I graduated from college in 2009, if you are familiar with the market and the state of our economy at that time, it was not an ideal time to be looking for a job.
I decided to take a month long “break” and hit the road with my sister. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi is my older sister and she is a two time World Champion Barrel Racer. I’m very proud to say she’s amazingly good and successful with what she does for a living. She has a huge breeding program and Equi Spa “Conquer” in Lampasas, TX at the ZZI Ranch.
During my time traveling with my sister and her crew, I shortly learned that I wasn’t quite cut out for life on the road. I had way too much fun, saw beautiful country and experienced quite a bit in that month. We spent most of our time in Canada, if you haven’t had a Tim Horton’s breakfast, you haven’t lived!
Towards the end of the trip, I had a phone interview with a contact I had from my internship at D Magazine. The phone interview lead to a few face to face interviews, which then presented my first job as a Marketing Assistant at The Central Market Division Office in Dallas.
The wonderful ladies at the Division Office sent me on my way a year later with my new nickname “short-timer.” In the interim, I had attended a baby shower of a family member and met a gentlemen that was soon to open the doors to a winery in Comfort, TX. Did I mention that in high school, I drank red wine and was the girl who brought her own wine to college parties? I’m giving myself a bit too much credit here, it was Yellowtail Merlot, and thank goodness my pallet has matured since then.
I was quick to realize that sitting at a desk at Central Market wasn’t for this type A busy body, I needed to explore and experience things outside of an office. I moved my life from Dallas to San Antonio to work for Bending Branch Winery as their Business Development Manager. I learned so much from the Young and Rivenburg Families and am forever grateful for the opportunity.
I then took a short stent out of the wine industry to move back to Austin and from that experience, realized wine was my passion and I found my way back to it. Fast forward to December 2018, I left my “perfect” wine job and then found out two weeks later I was pregnant with Miss Sloan Elizabeth Smith, our sweet now two years old daughter.
My truly talented husband Blake and I bought and remodeled a home in Lost Creek three years ago, a few years previous he had worked as a trim carpenter and then started a construction business. During the remodel process we ripped up the floors, tore down a wall, removed wallpaper from the early 80’s and I helped pick out the finishes, colors and some details. Blake did most all of the grit, built cabinets and made it look amazing! We love hosting families in our neighborhood and sharing our transformation story.
March of 2020, a friend of ours purchased a house in the neighborhood and asked me if they could hire me to help with the design/construction process. I am forever grateful to the Aziz family, they play a huge role in the existence of BPSmith Design Group. The cart definitely came before the horse in the best way. I have so many family members, families and friends to thank. Very many people were instrumental in helping me start a business with a toddler hanging off of my hip.
I come from a family of entrepreneurs and I always knew I wanted something of my own but didn’t know exactly what that meant. I contemplated opening “Cookies Candy” also looked into a fitness opportunity to purchase in Austin, along with a few others and nothing really panned out.
I can honestly say that I now am able to contribute to my family financially doing what I love the most. It’s more than just the interior design aspect, it’s the people, it’s the connection, making people’s home their happy place. You truly cannot put a value on loving where you live, it is where you spend most of your time and where memories are made.
I have a “formal” business About us that goes as follows:
Home design with lifestyle in mind, specializing in custom styles that are family-friendly and functional.
A full-service design group that takes pride in our process. We provide interior design, staging and consulting. New construction or remodels are in our wheelhouse, no project is too big or too small, we do it all.
Located in the heart of Texas, The Hills of Lost Creek in Austin, Texas is our home base. Brooke Pozzi Smith the founder of BPSmith Design Group, had the desire for a family-friendly environment with community and character. The root of our design group exudes elegance, a unique style and undeniable service in all aspects of our projects.
With that being said, my true passion is filled on a daily basis through my “job.” I am so fortunate to have had the road that has lead to my dream. That road took a lot of different turns, but I ended up right where I was meant to be. I am still learning as I go and don’t get me wrong, there are days where I’m not always on my A game or I’m frustrated with what I do. I am still always reminded that I am young and there is much more for me to learn and experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road, I have had many trials and tribulations. I worked for some really awesome people and some really terrible people. We all have a “crutch” we can use, but I say throw that dang crutch out of the window and go on with your awesome self! Most recently, I have struggled with being fabulous at getting new business but struggling with learning the actual business side of things. I would much rather look at pretty fabrics all day rather than conquering my QuickBooks, but guess what…being a good business owner means knowing all aspects of your business. I knew this from a young age from my Dad and have since then been reminded by my husband.
Life has actually thrown me a huge curveball and my business is currently on standby until the beginning of the year. My Dad was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. I absolutely despise the “C” word, but realize how fortunate we are to have him in the best of care at MD Anderson.
My sister and I are jointly helping him with the support of our families, my Dad’s girlfriend and our awesome extended family as well. I truly think that God has thrown me a few curveballs in the last few years and it has kept me grounded and grateful. I cherish many more things differently than I had in the past, these situations are a constant reminder.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BPSmith Design group was created with home design and lifestyle in mind, specializing in custom styles that are family-friendly and functional.
A full-service design group that takes pride in our process. We provide interior design, staging and consulting. New construction or remodels are in our wheelhouse, no project is too big or too small, we do it all.
Located in the heart of Texas, The Hills of Lost Creek in Austin, Texas is our home base. Brooke Pozzi Smith the founder of BPSmith Design Group, had the desire for a family-friendly environment with community and character. The root of our design group exudes elegance, a unique style and undeniable service in all aspects of our projects.
With that being said, my true passion is filled on a daily basis through my “job.” I am so fortunate to have had the road that has lead to my dream. That road took a lot of different turns, but I ended up right where I was meant to be. I am still learning as I go and don’t get me wrong, there are days where I’m not always on my A game or I’m frustrated with what I do. I am still always reminded that I am young and there is much more for me to learn and experience.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would say to have a mentor and fully immerse yourself and to never stop educating yourself, in your industry and in others. LISTEN, this is the one thing I still struggle with. It is so important in all aspects of life.
Contact Info:
- Email: Brooke@bpsmithdesign.com
- Website: www.bpsmithdesigngroup.com
- Instagram: @bpsmithdesigngroup
- Facebook: @bpsmithdesigngroup
Image Credits:
Claire McCormack photography
