Michel Smith Boyd, interior designer and star of HGTV hit shows, "Luxe for Less" and "Rock The Block 4," inspired Atlanta Habitat homeowners as part of the organization's Boss Talk leadership speaker series in May. Themed "The Stories We Tell," the annual event empowers small business owners as they continue their entrepreneurial journeys.

Smith Boyd, who serves as an Atlanta Habitat mission ambassador, was one of four panelists including:

• Michel Smith Boyd, Interior designer and star of HGTV hit shows, "Luxe for Less" and "Rock The Block 4"
• Tanisha Wright, Head Coach, Atlanta Dream
• Lakila Bowden, Co-founder and COO, iSeeTechnologies
• Natina Hill, Director, Producer and Entrepreneur

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with these potential homeowners," said Smith Boyd. "There wasn't a roadmap for my entrepreneurial journey, but I made it and they can, too. No matter the circumstances of your life, I encourage people to create their own narrative."

Journey to Design

Design wasn't Smith Boyd's first career. After dabbling in retail, acting and modeling, he enrolled in The Art Institute of Atlanta in his late 20s. He took on his first client while still in school and decided early on he wanted to prioritize sharing his own point of view and telling his own story through design.

"I didn't choose entrepreneurship — I chose my own point of view," said Smith Boyd. "If you don't own your narrative, someone will do it for you."

A Common Thread

Raised in a small town in Louisiana, Smith Boyd grew up next door to a family member who lived in a Habitat home.

"At the time, I didn't understand the gift of home ownership," said Smith Boyd. "Now, I work with people every day who are proud of the hard work they put in to own their homes. I help them bring dignity, excitement and pride to their homes and help them understand what luxury can mean for them."