Meet Z Smith | Vector Vendor + Pixel Purveyor + Cloth Clerk

We had the good fortune of connecting with Z Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Z, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
During the pandemic, Betsy and I decided to shake things up and combine our passions. Betsy’s been a hairstylist for years, leasing a chair at a local salon, while I was running my own creative agency. When COVID hit, like everyone else, both of our businesses were hit hard. It made us realize that maybe it was time for a change—something fresh, something that could bring both of our worlds together.

So, we decided to open Second Place. We turned it into a space where we could both work side by side, doing what we love. We built Betsy’s 3-chair salon in the back and I set up a small retail concept in the front. It was a way for us to not just survive but thrive together in one space.

For Betsy, it meant she could bring in other stylists, mentor them, and help them grow their businesses. For me, it gave me the chance to dive into new creative projects. I taught myself to cut and sew, screen print, dye fabric, and design every little detail of the shop. We both wanted it to feel real, like it was ours, and not just another business.

At the end of the day, Second Place became more than just a business; it became a space where we could do our thing, support others, and build something that felt true to us. It was the perfect way to combine our skills and passions and turn a tough time into something good.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Running a creative agency has been a wild ride, and it’s meant wearing a lot of different hats. When we opened, I had the freedom to dive into so many aspects of the business myself, which was a huge time-saver and cost-effective. I took on everything from the branding and website to designing the space itself—it was all hands-on from the start. But as we began creating our own clothing line, we quickly ran into a challenge: our small scale just wasn’t enough to push the business forward the way we wanted.

Although I’d spent years working in the fashion industry, I soon realized that the methods I was used to weren’t going to work for us. So, I got to work teaching myself new skills—cutting, sewing, screen printing, dyeing, and designing every piece of clothing. What started as simple projects, like hats made from vintage fabrics, evolved into handmade pennant flags. Over time, my passion for cut and sew grew into creating large-scale wall hangings.

It’s the handmade quality that sets us apart. Every single thing in our space has been created from the ground up by me. Nothing leaves my hands until it’s ready to show the world. And I couldn’t be prouder of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Betsy and I are both from Columbus, OH, so it’s never hard to convince our friends from back home to come visit us here. We’ve got a little tradition whenever we pick someone up or drop them off at the airport: a stop by J & Tony’s Discount Cured Meats and Negroni Warehouse. It’s one of our all-time favorite spots, and lucky for us, it’s pretty close to the airport. Once we’re back in Encinitas, the first thing on our list is always coffee. We’re lucky to be so close to Matt over at Ironsmith Coffee and Jon at Necessity Coffee, and we’re not the type to let a day go by without grabbing a cup from one of their shops.

For breakfast, our go-to spot is Encinitas Cafe. Our son’s been going there since he was little, and it’s become a family favorite. For lunch, you can’t beat a sandwich from Prager Brothers—hands down the best around. When it’s time for dinner, we love Herb and Sea. The food, the vibe, it’s always a win. And if we have time, we like to catch a movie at La Paloma when friends are in town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our space is a blend of two unique concepts: the salon and the retail side. Let’s start with the salon. Betsy and Tara go way back. They first worked together years ago and became instant friends—so much so that Tara’s practically family now. In fact, she’s even babysat our youngest son! So, when Betsy decided to open the salon, Tara was the first person she invited to join the team. Honestly, the space wouldn’t feel the same without her. Not only is she an incredibly talented stylist, but her energy and vibe are a huge part of what makes our salon feel so special.

Over on the retail side, I’m lucky to have a crew of amazing people supporting me. A special shoutout to Cliff and Kai, who have taken some truly stunning photos for us. Their work has contributed so much to the overall look and feel of the space—every shot helps tell our story in such a meaningful way. It’s not just the products or the design; it’s the people behind it all that make Second Place come alive.

Website: https://www.secondplaceco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondplaceco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-j-smith-3977a582/

Other: https://www.smithworkbench.com

Image Credits
Cliff Endley, Kai Diaz, Christel Tran