Susan Collins Smith and Joseph Mack Smith welcomed Joseph Blake Smith into the world on August 27, 1983. His mother was a concert pianist and a wealthy entrepreneur. His father was a linebacker for the University of Arkansas and was an All-American in college football. Billy Ray Smith, a Hall of Fame football player, was his illegitimate grandfather on his father’s side. Smith didn’t find out about his ancestors till after his two parents died. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, where he majored in Psychology, Business, and Physics.
In all three subjects, he received a Summa Cum Laude. He participated in Army ROTC while at university, and after completing jump, dive, and mountain warfare training, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. He was later picked and assigned to the CIA’s Special Activities Center (SAC), albeit this has not been confirmed. In 2005, he returned to the public eye by enrolling in law school at the University of Arkansas. In 2007, he received his juris doctorate (meanwhile earning an MBA from Standard University). He was admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 2007, but voluntarily resigned his license since he had no ambition to pursue a legal profession.
He began his career in commercial real estate brokerage and property development while still in law school, where he focused on developing property for Casey’s General Store across Arkansas. When he began leasing and purchasing mineral rights in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma, he launched his genuine entrepreneurial career. He eventually founded Rock Capital Group, where he served as CEO of a privately held captive capital firm specializing in oil and gas investments and commercial real estate development. Over $100 million was successfully allocated and managed by Rock Capital Group/Rock Capital Partners. One of his partners sued his companies in 2015.
As a consequence, a $7 million mediated settlement deal was reached. In 2017, he resurfaced as an entrepreneur, this time focusing on commercial real estate development (this time strictly in the convenience store space: after a stint developing for Circle K).
He is now the active CEO of SQRL Holdings, where he oversees real estate and energy-related businesses. He is the author of “The Comeback,” a memoir; the father of four daughters (Sadie, Emma Grace, Isabella, and Audrey); and the spouse of Amanda.
