Matt Smith

age: 38 | Owner/General Manager | Smith’s Ready Mix

At Smith’s Ready Mix, Matt Smith oversees sales, quality control, management, and fleet service/maintenance.  A family-owned business, Matt has worked for his father since he was 11 years old.  “I have always enjoyed working for and learning the business from him.  We have been in business for 73 years, so carrying on our family’s business and handing it down to my kids gives me a lot of satisfaction,” he says.  “I also enjoy working with the customers, employees, and equipment that we use to produce and deliver concrete.  I take pride in the projects that we supply concrete to and love explaining to my family and friends how many loads of concrete it takes to get a bridge, warehouse, or feed mill built.”  Solving problems that come with his business and construction projects they are involved in is a challenge Matt takes on full force.  Being a part of the solution is important to him.

Helping out with his family’s business means the world to Matt.  “My Dad had open heart surgery in 2016.  My sister and I were able to keep our company going and thriving, during his absence,” he continues.  “It was gratifying to be able to take over for him and make him proud of what he’s taught me and Shana to do.”  Snagging his wife, Laura, having three healthy children (Rowdy, Ruby, and Landry), and becoming a foster parent are Matt’s greatest personal accomplishments.

Matt and his team have donated concrete to several schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the years, including Pleasant Grove baseball team, Ashdown baseball team, T.A.P.D. basketball court, Nashville football/baseball teams, Genoa FFA/Construction Program, Randy Sams’ Outreach Shelter, Texarkana Razorback Trap Shooting Team, and The Stone Foundation.  They also send a mixer truck to be used during the Junior League of Texarkana’s “Touch a Truck” event, and sponsor several baseball and softball teams.  

Matt looks forward to bringing his children into the business in the future.  He concludes, “I’ll still be leading the Smith’s Ready Mix team, probably until I die.”

Best piece of advice:

“Get your money up front, and get three quotes when you buy something.” – Hix Smith, Jr., Matt’s father

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I went and got a $3 hair cut when I was a senior in college at a cosmetology school in Russellville. The girl basically gave me a chili bowl, so when I got back home, my roommates buzzed it off with some clippers. I’ve been bald ever since. A good barber is worth the money!”