Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Smith.
Hi Sean, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I spent more than 25 years working as a news/sports videographer, sports anchor/reporter and studio technician. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, live sports came to a halt, and so did a lot of the overtime income my family relied on. Like many people during that time, I found myself looking for a way to make up the difference and create some financial stability.
I came across pallet liquidation and decided to give it a shot. I bought one pallet, then another, and then a few more. What started as a way to bring in some extra income quickly grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. I started selling items out of my garage, then moved into a storage unit. Before long, I had more than ten storage units full of inventory.
In 2021, I made the decision to leave my television career and pursue Smitty’s Surplus full-time. I opened my first brick-and-mortar location in Centreville, where I spent three years growing the business before moving to our current location in Easton.
The journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been days when I sat in the store and no customers came through the door, and there have been days when people were lined up outside waiting for us to open. I’ve experienced the highs and lows that come with owning a small business, but I’ve never been afraid of hard work, and I’ve never been willing to quit.
This business is truly built on blood, sweat, and tears. I’ve unloaded trucks in the heat of summer and the cold of winter, lifted heavy furniture, vanities, and flooring, driven across multiple states to source inventory, and spent countless hours inspecting, testing, pricing, and stocking products. There are no shortcuts in this business, and there’s always more work to be done.
Looking back, what started as a temporary solution during a difficult time became an opportunity to build something of my own. Smitty’s Surplus exists because I took a chance, stayed persistent, and kept showing up, even when things were tough. Today, I’m proud of what we’ve built and grateful for the customers and community who have supported us along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think most worthwhile things are.
One of the biggest challenges has been the uncertainty that comes with owning a business. Some months are incredibly busy, and others are much slower than you’d like. During the slower times, you still have bills to pay, inventory to buy, and a business to run. You learn pretty quickly that persistence matters just as much as success.
The other challenge has been the workload. There is always something that needs attention. Whether it’s sourcing inventory, making long drives to pick up products, unloading trucks, testing items, helping customers, or keeping the store organized, the work never really stops. It takes a lot of time, energy, and commitment behind the scenes.
But every challenge has made the business stronger. The difficult seasons taught me how to adapt, make better decisions, and keep moving forward even when things didn’t go according to plan. Looking back, those experiences were just as important as the successes because they helped shape both me and the business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do is a little different every day, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about it. I’m constantly looking for opportunities, whether that’s finding great inventory, negotiating deals, identifying trends, or figuring out what our customers are looking for next. No two days are ever the same.
I think what I’m known for is being willing to take calculated risks and trust my instincts. I’ve always enjoyed a good game of poker, and there are a lot of similarities in business. You gather as much information as you can, make the best decision possible, and then have the confidence to act. Not every decision works out perfectly, but I’ve learned that you can’t be afraid to take a chance if you want to grow.
What I’m most proud of is creating a business that has given me the freedom to be more present for my family and more involved in my community. Success isn’t just about sales or growth, it’s about being able to coach my kids’ teams, attend school events, and have more control over how I spend my time.
What sets us apart is that we’re always evolving. We don’t have the same products sitting on the shelves month after month. Our inventory is constantly changing, which makes every visit a little different. I also think our customers appreciate that we’re genuine. We’re not trying to be something we’re not. We’re a local family business that works hard, treats people right, and takes pride in offering value to our community.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have a lot of great memories from childhood; playing sports, spending time with friends, and being outside from the time the sun came up until it went down. Those experiences taught me a lot about competition, teamwork, and hard work.
But if I’m being honest, I probably appreciate those memories more now because they’ve shaped how I approach life with my own family.
Today, some of my favorite memories are the ones we’re creating with our kids. Family trips, coaching their sports teams, spending one-on-one time with each of them, and simply being present for the everyday moments. That’s something I value deeply.
One of the unexpected gifts of owning my own business is that it’s allowed me the flexibility to prioritize those experiences. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that the things we remember most aren’t usually the things we bought or accomplished; they’re the people we spent time with and the memories we made together. That’s what I’m focused on building now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smittysmd.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittysurplusllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081925705535914
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090497541740
