We recently had the chance to connect with Terrence Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Terrence, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes, I actually lost my job standing up for a customer that was in the right. I trust God, and will never lie on or lie for anyone to get ahead in life. Standing up for the person made the powers that become mad at me for not going along with the false narrative, but I could not let that be in my conscious that I did not do the right thing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am known to as Terrence “Weasel” Smith and is an resident of Beaumont, Tx. I got the nickname “Weasel” from my grandmother who got the name from the “Pop goes the Weasel” song that played on the ice cream truck that entered the Neighborhood in the early 90’s. I have published three books nationally (The Highs and Lows of a Young Black Man Journey, Whatever It Takes to Make It, and Fortune 500 Dad) and also produced an Independent Film called ” Second Chance by Betrayal” that was on Amazon Prime for a Year. Every year I host an annual Back to school Backpack Giveaway where I give out 500- 1000 backpacks to the community. Without a Non-Profit , God has blessed me to have the support of businesses and the community to do these wonderful things in which makes the philanthropic efforts different from most. Also every year I honor my Mom (Tracey Rideaux Thompson) with her annual “Giving from the Heart ” Scholarship during the giveaways to honor her death and keep her name alive.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The earliest memory of me feeling powerful was when I was about 9 years old growing up in Northridge Manor (Known as Maida Apartments). I was always different from my peers and kids my age. My mind frame was always powerful at a very young age to the point I could not share my thoughts with no one. God was showing me visions of what would come to pass in my life but no one around me had the mental fortitude to understand me or what I wanted to pursue. For years after that I had to remain silent and never share how I felt because the power within was too much for must to comprehend.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there specifically a time I wanted to give up back in 2010. I was at one of the biggest universities in the state of Texas trying to walk-on the basketball team. The Vice President of the school at the time heard my story and introduced me to the athletic director. who ultimately walked me down to talk with the basketball coaches. After meeting them, I was allowed to practice with the basketball team unofficially (season didn’t start until October but it was July/August ) and everything was going right. School then started and official tryout was around the corner, but since this other guy and I was already familiar with team, we was promised if we did good they would choose us since we already been with team in some capacity. The day of tryouts, the guy and I did a great job and had the best performance compared to others. The time to pick came, and they went with some other guys who did not have our performances and it crushed me. I felt played, hurt, and almost lost my faith. I felt like God let bad things happen to good people and good things happen for bad people ECT. I went on a deep end because I felt that what taken place was unfair and just for months was mentally broken. Years later I’m still haunted by what could have been if I was not robbed of my opportunity but I’m better just knowing I got experience someone most want get a chance to experience.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people are getting it totally wrong today the fact that what they know really does not matter in today’s climate. It’s not what you know, it’s more of who you know. There are a lot of smart people without jobs, and Alot of people who don’t have education but occupy the best high paying jobs. Being smart in 2025, is ultimately not enough to successful.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was the most caring person ever. That I would give someone my last and that I wanted all people to do better than me and go further. I am not what most people see, I am a very complex person who is disciplined and who always strive to be a great and better man than I was yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Weaselbmt
- Facebook: Terrence “Weasel” Smith
- Youtube: Terrence “Weasel” Smith
Image Credits
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