Meet Kaela Smith, co-owner of Smith & Smith Company LLC with her husband of 25 years, Doug Smith. She is the proud mother of 3, and travels the country with her youngest daughter, a competitive kayaker. But, she believes there is no place like Gainesville and has called it home her entire life. She spends her spare time helping at the Lanier Canoe Kayak Club and contributing to the community in other ways. Most importantly, Kaela values family above all else, “I am my happiest self when my kids and husband are at their happiest.”
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “My husband and I acquired a family business, Smith & Smith Company LLC. I also manage A A American Warehouses. These jobs allow me to spend the time I want to with my family, too, which is my main priority.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Sweet Magnolia’s. I get the turkey club or chicken salad.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “Pretty much my whole life. My parents had children in a few different places, but we came back to Gainesville when I was 2. I’ve been here since age 2.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “My mother, Patti Palmour Cornett. She’s one of the most interesting, amazing people that I know. She’s from Hall County and she represents a lot of Gainesville history.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Hawaii, I have a niece and nephew there who keep sending me pictures and I am jealous beyond belief. I would love to visit with them and have some time to relax.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?
A: “Anything with Sandra Bullock.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Slow down, look up, and see everything around you. Treat others how you want to be treated.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “We want to go to Romania, my husband and I. And, see our “Romanian daughters.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “Karen Carpenter; she has an incredible voice. Kelly Clarkson is amazing and seems like a genuinely good person. And, I’d see Maroon 5.”
Q: What local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Collegiate Grill and just the Square/Downtown Gainesville.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?
A: “Ellen Degeneres. She would be so interesting to me and hilarious. I think my sides would hurt from laughing so hard. And, I’d take her to the Collegiate Grill.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “There’s still a sense of community despite rapid growth. And, Lake Lanier and the Olympic Venue have played an integral part in my family’s lives.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Still in Hall County, and hopefully watching my children be happy and productive.”
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I love movies and have a huge collection of DVDs. I like all kinds of movies; I don’t discriminate.”
Interview by: Meredith Pannek
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
PROJECT PATRONS:
