Mr. Smith is known as DJ Crusher.

The young professional is very business savvy.

Mr. Smith believes that positive friends will take you places.

Keith Smith, who describes himself as a driven young man, is a taxi professional and entrepreneur. The 36 year-old father of one began taxiing some eight years ago and for his hard work, is the proud owner of two buses and one limousine.

“Those are the tools of my trade and I would say I am in the transportation field because I provide transportation to a number of entities including the BVI Tourist Board, schools and private businesses. Just recently I provided transportation for artistes who were performing at the HLSCC’s concert series,” Mr. Smith divulged.

As business continues to improve, the young professional has plans to increase his fleet.

So what prompted him to get into that field? Mr. Smith disclosed that it was through a good friend of his, and admitted he jumped at the opportunity because it was very worthwhile at the time.

“It was more lucrative because I applied myself to it,” he lamented. “And with me being a people person was also a plus.”

He continued, “Taxiing is more or less interacting with people and creating an impression not only for you but for the country. I have built a positive reputation for myself in my industry; I have a lot of repeat clients and a lot of recommendations. I am proud because my work speaks for itself”.

Touching on the courses offered by the Tourist Board (TB) for taxi operators, Mr. Smith acknowledged it is very crucial but pointed out that taxi professionals need a better understanding of the industry.

“We are ambassadors in some kind of form and fashion. We are the first line of offense. The impression they [tourists] get from us stays with them forever. It’s beyond picking up, dropping off and collecting a fare, and once we get that understanding we will be the best we can be,” he stated.

However, it’s not all a bed of roses, the young professional added. The industry itself creates its own challenges because its unpredictable and world events have a lot to do with its success or failure.

According to him, with the world facing economic challenges, less people are travelling which means there is less for him to do as a taxi professional.

That is why he has undertaken other trades that make him more self-reliant. “I think a smart businessman should not rely solely on Government for his business to be successful.”

Against this backdrop, Mr. Smith has a small business where he repairs windshields.

“This was a well thought out idea before I even got into it,” he admitted.

It was looking through Popular Science – a magazine that gives insights into new businesses, six years ago, that gave him the idea to invest his time and money.

And after doing some research on the viability of opening a business in the Virgin Islands, the young professional spent one month in Florida where he had hands on experience in Glass Mechanics.

When asked how business is, Mr. Smith replied, “It’s very good and although I have a competitor, I can’t complain because the service is in demand.”

For him being a competent businessman is finding what is needed and supplying consumers with that need, adding “The BVI is a diverse community.”

In addition to that, the young professional is on the verge of going into two other businesses. He is about to get his trade license for them to kick off and is tight lipped about what they are.

“Now we don’t want other people to know just yet,” he said with a smile.

Albeit, he does not have a degree, Mr. Smith, who attended the Enid Scatliffe, Althea Scatliffe and the BVI High School, is proud of what he has achieved so far.

“Success is an on-going process, and I have not reached the pinnacle. I feel as though I have not done anything as yet to be honest with you. In terms of goals and aspirations I have not even started yet. What I am doing here is nothing compared to what I want to do or what I am about to do,” he candidly stated.

Mr. Smith also disclosed that he had two scholarship opportunities which he could not take up because “they came up at the wrong time”.

“One was a track and field scholarship. I had to pass that up because my son was just born and his mother could not work so I had to stay, and the second one was a basketball one but I had injured my ankle,” he said. “I not boasting but I was a very good 400 meter athlete.”

He was also on the basketball national team in 1992, 2005 and 2006.

On the social front, Mr. Smith believes once “you work hard, you play hard”. And while he socialises quite a bit, he takes time out to do weightlifting.

“I believe if you can’t have one hour for yourself something is wrong. Without health you can’t have wealth,” he said. Interestingly, he is also known as DJ Crusher and is a regular feature at Pearla’s Hot Spot in Baugher’s Bay and Bottom’s Up in Duff’s Bottom.

As for his advice to budding entrepreneurs, Mr. Smith said, “You can’t do it without guidance which comes from the Almighty. Once you have that, the windows will be opened. You also have to have that drive and push, the tenacity to want more for yourself. Some of those abilities cannot be taught it has to be within you. The worst thing is for you to settle for less.”

He also stated that one should never have a business consume them. “You still have to make time for your family and self.”

And he could not end the interview without expressing his gratitude to his family and friends who believed in him including Corleen Lettsome, the former principal of the Althea Scatliffe; Hon. Andrew Fahie who was his teacher at the then BVI High School; Elmore Stoutt; Miss Sammy; his dearest friend Trevor Searles aka Skinny and Winston Skette aka Salsa.