Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared And Anna Smith.
Hi Jared and Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Anna and I started our adventure into the Memphis art scene in 2022 with the purchase of Quonset Studios at 66 Flicker St, Memphis. At the time, we were not sure exactly how everything would work out or whether there would be strong demand for this business model of providing artists with space to be creative outside their homes. Turns out there was consistent demand for small art studios in the area among both amateur artists and small businesses. We now run a waiting list for studios, and it is rare that a studio sits empty for any amount of time.
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?
When we first purchased this property we were finishing our final years of service with the Navy in Norfolk, VA. Managing the property from afar presented some challenges, but we had systems in place that made it easy for the artists to access the building 24/7 and through the use of various apps like remote lock and alarm.com, we were able to change access codes for artists as they transitioned in and out of spaces from 1,000 miles away!
Now that we live back in the Memphis area, things are a bit easier. The spaces and artists have evolved a bit and now several of the artists occupy multiple spaces within the studio due to their growing businesses which has been awesome to watch!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Smith Properties TN is a small business that manages our private portfolio of properties, ranging from residential to small commercial to an art studio. We have been investing in Memphis for going on 10 years now and have enjoyed it. We have routinely had tenants comment about our high level of responsiveness to problems that arise and how they appreciate that above all else. We have found that if you jump into the problems quickly and get them resolved, everyone is happy, even if they were inconvenienced at first.
I am most proud at the growth we have experienced in each building in our portfolio. It is not always easy to operate the business alongside all of the other demands of a family, but we have prioritized Memphis as the area we want to grow and make better one building at a time.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love helping small businesses find spaces to operate and grow and it’s even better when we can provide the space for that growth. We have also built relationships with other investors in the Memphis market so we can often refer clients over to them if we do not have space in one of our buildings.
Pricing:
- Art Studios range from $400 – $600 per month
- All other unit pricing varies based on location
Contact Info:
- Website: https://901spaces.com
