Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Smith.
Ty, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My mother placed me in beauty pageants when I was only a toddler. Even though I was extremely shy, I took home a lot of trophies and won some great prizes in those pageants. I picked up modeling and acting again once I was an adult. I grew up in Orange County, CA and signed to IT Model Management. Through the agency, I landed several roles as an extra in some popular tv shows. When I was 22, I moved from Orange County, CA to Dallas, TX. My parents left California, and I wanted to stay close to my mom and little sister. I met one of my now good friends who was in photography school soon after I moved to Dallas and soon started musing for his photography assignments. People in the industry started to come across those images and I began getting offers for modeling jobs. I started working at Dr. Pepper Snapple Group as a Consumer Relations agent around the same time. I studied Computer Information Systems in college, so technology is also a passion of mine. I climbed the corporate ladder and ended up on a project called Capstone, where we worked on integrating over five computer systems into one system. I’m now a Manager in the Revenue Growth Management department at the newly merged Keurig Dr. Pepper. After my 9-5, I would work on my model portfolio, practice my posing through photography shoots, and study the art as often I could. My goal was to generate multiple streams of income through my talents, and I’m really proud that I’ve been able to do so.
My experience on project Capstone, provided me the skills I needed to accept an offer to be the Accounting Director for a national floral company, PFS Floral Cooperative, handling the accounting needs for over 75 “mom-and-pop” floral shops across the US. I contracted my work under my business Ty Cain Data. All the while, working two jobs, I continued to work on my modeling career. I’ve walked the runway in over 50 fashion shows and done lots of beauty and fashion work (Just Fab, BDonnas), modeling for local spa salons, photographers, sunglass lines, designers, hair salons, and makeup lines. I’m currently “the face” of the prestigious 3:16 Collection store, a Christian apparel retailer, owned by Jalen LaGrande. My photos have a store-front placement in two prominent malls.
In 2016 I married my amazing husband, Aubrey Smith Jr. and together we founded AJ Benefits LLC. AJ Benefits is a concierge service, providing black car service, limo rides, as well as other transportation services in the DFW and Las Vegas, NV areas.
I’m also very excited about a new organization in which I’m on the board of Directors, Black Health, founded by Alyssa Ryen. With this venture, we aim to bring our community together and empower them through nutritional, mental, and physical health. For the past three years, I’ve been on a journey to contribute back to the community working with Minnie’s Pantry, Trusted World Organization, Serve Your City with Covenant Church, and Toast for Charity. Black Health will further allow us to build our community through youth development and women empowerment events.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Whether it’s been my voyage in entrepreneurship or modeling, I’ve had to put in thousands of hours. The sacrifice is enormous, studying my crafts, continuously learning and building my skills, and being away from my family. Another struggle was getting my name and faced out to the world. Building clientele can be a long and tedious journey. Marketing myself and building my brands have required time, sweat, and money. Getting over rejections and being steadfast in my pursuit regardless of setbacks has been inevitable.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ty Cain Data / Black Health / AJ Benefits LLC – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
For both Black Health and AJ Benefits, I handle the accounting and public relations needs for the companies. Basically, anything finance-related, I’ll have a hand in it. I’m very hands-on and will step in wherever I am needed. I take pride in being a leader and helping others. I believe in educating others and helping them to be the best version of themselves. I’m known for my creativity and problem-solving skills.
As a company, we are most proud of providing mentorship and empowerment through minority, youth, and women-focused events. We are on a mission to help lift others and encourage them to be better together.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In January, we are planning our Black Health kick-off event. It’s going to be huge. We just want to put fire into the souls of hundreds of women and motivation in their hearts for self-care.
Contact Info:
- Website: loveblackhealth.com
- Email: loveblackhealth@gmail.com / ajsmithmanagement@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ty_static and @loveblackhealth
Image Credit:
Bridgett Harrison
Dlores Media
Harbor Grace Photography
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