Title: Owner
Company: Bennie Smith Funeral Home
Location: Dover, Denver, United States
Terrence D. Nichols, owner of Bennie Smith Funeral Home, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the death care industry.
With over five decades of experience, Mr. Nichols has dedicated his professional life to the death care industry. He currently owns Bennie Smith Funeral Home and previously served as its chief operating officer from 2009 to 2016 and 2020 to 2022. In these roles, he manages financial operations and supports families facing financial difficulties. He was also a business owner from 2016 to 2020 and spent 35 years at a major poultry producer, advancing from plant manager to director of operations. In addition to his profession, he is a member of the Caroline County Clergy, the Christian Clergy Association, and the International Association of Free Seventh-Day Adventists. He donates his time to his local church and enjoys spending time with family, playing tennis, and traveling.
Reflecting on what led him to his current career path, Mr. Nichols says the experience from his 35-year tenure in the poultry industry, including an extensive background in management and business, combined with over 40 years of ministry, helped him gain a deep sense of compassion and care. In 2022, he became the owner of five Bennie Smith Funeral Home locations in Delaware. Having served as chief operating officer and owning his own business, he felt he was equipped to continue the legacy of Bennie Smith Funeral Home and provide meaningful support to families in their time of need. He takes great pride in his adeptness in navigating difficult interpersonal situations and successfully acquiring five funeral homes.
Mr. Nichols attributes his success to his parents, who, despite their poverty, instilled in him a strong work ethic. Growing up on a farm, his father worked as a sharecropper, exposing him to the value of hard work from an early age. Additionally, he became a Christian when he was 14 years old and sees this as a crucial guiding principle in his life, providing him with the motivation to keep going, even when faced with challenges. Notably, Mr. Nichols is proud to work as a committee member for the August Quarterly, the oldest Afro-American Festival in the United States with a history spanning over 210 years, through which he helps to organize religious, youth and gospel event as well as the festival itself.
Reflecting on his path, Mr. Nichols said he did not acquire the funeral homes to become rich. When the offer was proposed, he saw it as a way to set up a foundation and secure the future of his ministry and community center. With the help of an agency, he acquired the funeral homes with the aim of ensuring their sustainability and efficiency. In the coming years, his goal is for his son to take over the business while he focuses on continuing the good work in the community.
Mr. Nichols advises aspiring entrepreneurs in the funeral home industry to prioritize passion for their work above all else. He explains that loving what you do is essential for navigating the challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship. In addition to passion, he emphasizes the importance of having a genuine heart for people. The funeral industry involves interacting with individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and it is crucial to approach these interactions with empathy, compassion, and a sincere desire to be of service. He believes that focusing on serving others rather than solely on financial gain is key to success in the funeral home business.
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