Owner of 7 McDonald’s Franchises
Mya is a Child of the King... with a huge heart and a lady who knows what she wants, walking in purpose and intention. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and minor in African American Studies. She’s an entrepreneur of 7 McDonald’s Restaurants, Real Estate Investor, Co-Founder of The SMITH Foundation, Inc., Amazon’s #1 Best Selling Author, one of CORE Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Blacks today and more. She has received various awards and proclamations, including being recognized by United States Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee and Sylvia Garcia, Mayor of the City of Houston Sylvester Turner and Houston City Council At Large, Position 4 Amanda K. Edwards. She has been featured in and on the Cover of Purpose Magazine, featured in Sheen Magazine, Houston Style Magazine, and many more. She’s grateful and inspired to continue to be a blessing to others and the Kingdom of God. She is a public speaker and has a genuine heart and special love for children. She enjoys coordinating community giveaways with local businesses and avidly supporting empowerment youth programs.
The Smith Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established to reach, uplift, support, enhance the lives of, and empower all people to reach their full potential. Our purpose is to organize and maximize the power of simply “People Helping People” to support communities in need and create a platform for people to experience the joy of serving. The mission is to send as many high school students as we possibly can to college, provide food by doing food drives, provide school supplies, and Christmas toys to underprivileged schools and communities.
What keeps me going when things get tough in my business is the word of God. I stand on 3 Scriptures - James 1:12, 1 Corinthians 2:9, and Jeremiah 29:11. In James 1:12, God tells us that, not only will we face trials, but He Promises, that if we will persevere and don’t quit or give up, we will receive the victory. 1 Corinthians 2:9 is a promise from God that He will bless us (those that love him) in ways that eyes have never seen, ears have never heard, and the mind cannot fathom. We will be blessed far beyond anything we could have imagined. Jeremiah 29:11 contains a promise that God has good things in store for us. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
What I would say to a business owner that is struggling is to keep their “why” in front of them and stay focused on their goals. It is very important to not quit because their commitment brings God on the scene. In James 1:12, God tells us that, not only will we face trials, but He promises, that if we will persevere, we will be victorious.
3 things that anyone starting a business need to know:
Know your numbers (P&Ls, cost of goods sold, inventory, expenses, cash flow, net income, etc.) If you don’t know your numbers, you don’t know your business, and you could be out of business, yet you are opening the doors every day.
There is no shortcut to hard work. Once you decide what you want to do; just stay focused on it and master it by being a student of your craft - letting no one outwork you. Work like your success depends on you and pray hard, because you know, it’s all God!”
Keep God first in every decision you make. God’s way will always work out for your good!