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Daily Inspiration: Meet Derek Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Smith. 

Hi Derek, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Derek Smith and I’m from Tavares Florida. I grew up playing baseball, fishing, and hanging out with my family and friends. I joined the Air Force at 18 after high school and served for 7 years. I always had a passion for vehicles, so I knew I wanted to try and start a business around that. I really enjoy meeting new people and helping them in the process.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely presented challenges. Covid has been a big obstacle, as well as gas prices and other economic problems. These are a big impact for me because my business is mobile. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Axe-A-Dent is a veteran-owned automotive appearance business. We specialize in auto hail repair, dent repair, automotive paint, spray-in bed liners, and wheel repair. 

I am most proud of helping customers save hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. It feels good to see a satisfied customer. 

What sets us apart from other businesses is the way we take care of our customers. We are not only in the automotive business; we are also in the hospitality business as well. We love to see happy customers! 

We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking?
I think it’s good to take risks in life. My philosophy is, you’ll never know if it was a good idea unless you try. My entire life I’ve always tried things because I don’t like the feeling of regret. 

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