Dan Smith

Dan Smith is a KC kid through and through, born and raised on the east side. The Linwood YMCA and the Thornberry Boys and Girls Club is where he spent most of his downtime. He graduated from Bishop Hogan High School. During Smith's college years, he started or was a part of a couple of startups. Those endeavors gave him the entrepreneurial itch, and throughout his life, he has started five different businesses.

Smith spent roughly 15 years in corporate America, during which he focused on nonprofit work. He was a part of organizations focused on education and empowering the underserved community. He previously served as vice president of the local chapter of the 100 Black Men of Greater Kansas City. Before starting The Porter House KC, Smith worked worked for the Full Employment Council (FEC) as an equal opportunity officer. He left the FEC in 2020 to work full time at The Porter House KC.

In 2021, Smith was named a Startland News Community Builder to Watch. In 2023, he was named one of the Kansas City Business Journal's Next Gen Leaders and was accepted into The Civic Council's Kansas City Tomorrow leadership program.