No matter how much a person believes in fate, few could doubt that Brian Smith was destined to be a pawnbroker. With over three decades in the business, there’s probably no one else who has received more industry accolades and awards.
But it all started pretty simply.
“My father was a lawyer, and Charles Jones was a client and friend. I grew up knowing the Jones family,” he recalls. He knew Morgan, Charles’ son, and the two ended up going to college together. “Our dads always dreamed of the two of us going into the pawnbroking business together.”
Charles R. Jones was tirelessly devoted to the pawn industry and served two terms as NPA President. He won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. After his passing, his legacy was further honored by changing the name of this award to the Charles R. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded annually to pawnbrokers who have exemplified a similar devotion to the NPA and the needs of its membership.
“After graduation from college, Morgan went to law school, and I took a job selling insurance,” he recalls. One day, I called Mr. Jones and told him how I’d been thinking about leaving and getting into pawn. It turns out Morgan was also looking for a change. Mr. Jones said, ‘Give them your notice, and we’ll book you a flight down.” Brian then spent the next several months learning the business in the Jones family’s pawnshops in Texas.
That was the beginning of the business which would evolve into USA Pawn, now owned and operated by Brian and his family, with six locations in Jackson, Pearl, Canton, and Vicksburg, Mississippi.
“In our youth, Brian was much smarter and better looking than me,” recalls Morgan Jones, who owns American Pawn Superstore in Texas. “He still has me beat on both counts to this day, so I’m not at all surprised by his long history of success. “
"Negotiating was the first thing that I fell in love with. Making deals all day is a lot of fun," adding that loving the work is an important part of being successful at it, "it's true what they say—find work you love and you'll never work a day."
brian smith
When asked about his favorite part of the pawn business, he says, “Negotiating was the first thing that I fell in love with. Making deals all day is a lot of fun,” adding that loving the work is an important part of being successful at it, “it’s true what they say—find work you love and you’ll never work a day.”
USA Pawn just celebrated their 30-year anniversary. The three-day event was attended by Mississippi’s State Attorney General, several State Senators, and the local Sheriff, as well countless friends and customers, which is a testament to how actively the company supports their communities and works to build relationships with leaders and legislators.
Now, the company is celebrating its three-decades milestone with a contribution that supports the newest project of one of their longtime partners, Warrior Cottages, a tiny house community in Vicksburg that will provide housing to veterans who are down on their luck. The first of these 12 houses will be named The USA Pawn Warrior Cottage.
It’s just the latest chapter in a long success story, and evidence of the company’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail. “How we do small things is how we do everything,” Smith says.
About Brian Smith: Served on the Board of Directors as well as the Board of Governors of National Pawnbrokers Association, named Committee Chair of the Year in 2001. President of NPA 2001-2003. Named Industry Hero alongside his brother-in-law Nick Fulton in 2006. Received the Charles R. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Served in numerous capacities in the Mississippi Pawnbrokers Association as well as on other Boards.
About USA Pawn: Founded in 1991, USA Pawn operates in Mississippi with six easily accessible locations in Jackson, Pearl, Canton, and Vicksburg. More information is available at usapawn.com by calling 601-501-7296, or via email at info@usapawn.com.