Meet Dennis Smith | CEO/ Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dennis Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dennis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my nonprofit organization was all over the place to be honest. But once I actually took a deep breath and wrote everything out step by step, I was okay. It’s not an easy thing to wake up and say “Hey I Wanna Start A Business” nope. It actually takes prayer and really fasting with God on a personal level so he leads me or anybody in the right direction creating a business to be amazing and stand out from the rest around. Patience is key while making sure the creativity aspect exceeds the viewers mind. If I could lend advice to readers and future Entrepreneurs it would be TAKE YOUR TIME and invest in your brand completely and don’t have step presentation is key.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What I would like readers to know about reaching hands, this isn’t a non-profit that can’t be personable but we stand and believe God is using us to touch many lives and encouraging them to know there is hope for the hopeless and planting the seed of giving them basic needs will allow them to take solace in knowing it’s okay if you have to start over again and we are here to assist with our hands, that we so graciously extend. I’m the visionary and founder of this organization and very hands-on with the creative side and also handling all the moving parts of this organization ensuring the vision doesn’t get lost and remaining focused on our purpose. I’m also a volunteer as well; I don’t deem myself to be better than anybody because I always remember it could be ME. Reaching Hands specialize in making all homeless and displaced individuals feel like they’re the only ones that matter when we’re one on one with them in events. We connect with them on a spiritual, emotional and mental level so they can understand we are human too and it could easily be us in their shoes. Reaching hands is set apart from any other non-profit for 3 unique reasons- integrity, Kindness and Excellence in all we do in servicing the homeless and displaced individuals. I’m most proud of my dedication and being able to manifest my vision and appreciating what an honor it is being able to connect with people from all walks of life. It’s rewarding to see how many have tapped into my vision and are willing to reach hands and assist me with this organization. It’s not mine; it’s for ALL of us. My organization offers a seed of a new start in life and provides basic needs and essentials that include but are not limited to; food, clothing, shoes and toiletry items to take care of themselves and a smile because it’s really about the connections we make and the impact on their lives that I always want them to remember but most importantly, that we love them and care.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If My Best Friend Laina Was Visiting Miami I would take her to all of the good food spots because I know where she resides in New Orleans does offer southern hospitality.  Miami offers more of the diversity of cultures such as Haitian, Jamaican, Spanish, and Japanese. Now I know she would enjoy the drinks here in Wynwood so I would definitely open her up to an experience in the design district, good music and food here she would love it. I found lounges and the beach to be great areas to connect and meet new people. I also introduced my friend to the good living of Miami. Hahaha listen there is absolutely no place in the world like MIAMI we have it all. Itinerary out of the window I’m the tour guide here but overall I would love the shopping experience because Miami style is set on it’s own top tier so giving her that experience would be rewarding. The music scene speaks for itself so that’s something the lounges and clubs provide for us to have a great time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I would like to thank GOD for allowing me to be given this amazing vision. I began to share my vision and plans with my best friend Carrie Kantor and with her help and love for people she helped me fund my first Back to school bookbag/ supplies to give back to less fortunate and displaced families in the South Miami communities of Homestead and Florida city. I also would like to thank every sponsor and volunteer who has partnered with me and understood my vision.

Instagram: ReachingHandsllc

Other: Email Us At : Info.Reachinghandsllc@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photographer: Jonathan Franco Instagram Name : g37franco