Smith began his career with Lebanon Monument Co., where he was employed for about six years. "My job there was pretty much to be in charge of the computer layout and design," he said. "After working there for a few months, I picked up the basics of hand etching by hanging around and watching the other artist. After doing a few etchings, my boss decided my etchings were actually looking better than the freelance artists they had been using for years." As a result, Smith shifted his role at Lebanon Monument Co. and became one of the company?s hand etchers.
In 1998, Dodds Monuments --one of the oldest monument companies in Ohio --bought out Lebanon Monument Co. "I was the only employee that was kept during the buyout," said Smith. "The company?s biggest concern was that etchings for memorials were in such high demand. They had about an 8- to 10-month waiting period for hand-done artwork. They hoped that bringing me on board was going to ease some of the workload for the other artist."