Welcome to the Business Boot-Up Edition of The Dreamers and Doers Podcast! We believe you are never too young to start a business. We’re bringing you live interviews from the Norman Farmer’s Market in Norman, OK. Each episode will feature one of our student-run businesses where they will be sharing what they’ve learned by starting a business to encourage you to start yours too!

Powered by the Norman Chamber of Commerce and Sponsored by First United Bank.

Hal Smith: Hal Smith Restaurant Group

Hal was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma and went to school in Oklahoma City where he was a junior Rotarian and was exposed for the first time to the business world. He attended UCO and OU studying marketing and finance and then began his career in the restaurant industry while attending OU and a restaurant on Campus Corner.

Hal has held C-level leadership, often as the CEO, President, or owner, for restaurants and corporations that include Steak & Ale, Pillsbury, Haagen Daz Ice Cream, and Chili’s Restaurants, Outback Steakhouse, On the Border, and Krispy Kreme. In June 1992, he founded Hal Smith Restaurants along with Hank Kraft, David Brauckmann and Mike Rogers. HSR is a restaurant management company headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma responsible for these restaurant concepts: Charleston’s Restaurant, Red Rock Canyon Grill, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Ted’s Café Escondido as a partner to Ted Curtis, Louie’s Bar & Grill, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Hefner Grill, The Garage, Upper Crust, Pub W, Jimmy B’s, Notorious Pie, Neighborhood Jam, The Library Bar and Grill, Mama Roja, and Hollie’s.

Hal stresses the importance of worth ethic. No matter what you do, commit your mind and your heart and it will work. He lives by five “F’s” to balance his life: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Fun.

The pandemic taught Hal and his team to think through things, figure out how can you be better, and take action.

Stepping into business can be scary and hard so make sure you have a financial plan, surround yourself with people that are better than you, and keep integrity at the forefront of everything you do.

Lexie Winters: Mooi

Lexie Winters is a 12 year old entrepreneur, owner of Mooi (Pronounced “moy”) Mooi is an all-natural and organic skincare business that sells exfoliation scrubs and body butters.

Lexie’s Exfoliation Scrubs are used to remove dead skin and moisturize dry skin. They come in different scents like Sweet Orange and Lavender.

Her Body Butters are used to moisturize dry skin and then give your skin a protective layer against UV rays. They come in scents like Coconut and Vanilla. I also have one that smells like shea butter.

Lexie started Mooi because she wasn’t getting a good result when I used store bought beauty products. She didn’t like the chemicals in them and it was hard to find stuff that works great. Mooi only uses all-natural ingredients and no harmful chemicals are in the products.

Lexie encourages all young entrepreneurs to perfect their pitch. If people don’t understand what you are selling and why, they won’t buy your product!