What started as a dream for Jackie Smith has now become a reality as she celebrated seven years in business at The Coffee Shoppe in Selma.

We want to congratulate Smith on her success and for being one of the leaders in the small businesses in Selma and Dallas County.

Her hard work and perseverance have paid off and from uncertain beginnings, she has now established a stable business in the community.

Smith landed on opening a coffee shop because of her love for coffee and community.

“I wanted to create a place where the community could come together,” Smith said. “I was raised in a house where every morning we woke up to that pot of coffee on the stove percolating. I always loved to entertain, the more the merrier.”

We encourage others who are wanting to start their own business from the ground up to take Smith as an example for the right things to do when starting a business.

In a time when retail and industry is leaving the area, Smith is here to stay and her fans are grateful.