We had the good fortune of connecting with Ki Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ki, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is important. A good friend of mine used to say “you gotta risk it to get the biscuit”. Taking risk is scary but it’s a sign that you are pushing yourself to grow and that’s incredibly important in business.

 

What should our readers know about your business?
Operating and growing a gallery program without having the luxury of ever running at a loss is definitely challenging but anything is possible in New York as long as you are willing to work hard for it and do anything to make sure your business stays alive. Also I don’t believe anyone is ever ready for anything so I would say my best words of advice would be to just dive in and start doing and when and if you feel momentum lean into it with everything you got.

Every year we’ve been opened we’ve expanded no matter how uncomfortable or how many extra hours needed to be put in, because growth is important, work doesn’t do itself and if you wanna “make it” you really need to wanna “make it” and be down to walk the walk, because every one in the city wants to “make it”.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I actually haven’t taken a day off in months and it’s also been months since I’ve gone to a restaurant or bar. But I guess in this hypothetical i’d go to Long Island to Campo Cuttica because that’s where I like to go whenever I have time.

 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out the artists I am so lucky to know and work with and shout out all of the clients that we are so honored to have, who continue allowing us to grow and trust our dreams. A gallery is just an empty space without artists and clients so huge thank you to y’all for breathing life into our space.

Website: Kismithgallery.com

Instagram: @kismithgallery

Image Credits
Sean Patrick Waters, Ki Smith Gallery, Jake Borden

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