Rising Stars: Meet Sheri Smith of SoCal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheri Smith.

Hi Sheri, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Storytelling, creativity, and community have shaped every chapter of my life. I began on Broadway at seven, starring in Here’s Love, the stage adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street, and later became the face of the longest-running national M&M commercial (“melts in your mouth, not in your hand”).

I come from a family of performers. My aunt, Sheila Bond, won a Tony Award in its seventh year of existence. My mother, Francine Bond, was a June Taylor dancer and served as Barbra Streisand’s understudy in her Broadway debut, I Can Get It for You Wholesale. Growing up surrounded by this world taught me discipline, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection. These values shaped everything that followed.

After working in Hollywood as assistant to the producer and script reader, I realized I wanted to build something of my own — something that brought people together in meaningful ways. That vision became GourmetCatering.com, which I founded in 1990. What began as a small venture grew into one of Southern California’s most trusted catering companies, serving nonprofits, corporations, schools, and major entertainment events. Along the way, I expanded into specialty services with ChocolateFountainSoCal.com, adding another layer of creativity and delight to celebrations of all kinds.

Today, I’m focused on integrating my entrepreneurial experience with my writing and speaking work, creating spaces, whether through events, books, or conversations, where people can connect, reflect, and find inspiration in their own journeys. My story is proof that creativity and reinvention are not one-time acts but lifelong practices. And that it’s never too late to build something meaningful.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My career has been far from linear. I’ve navigated financial setbacks, built and rebuilt businesses, and learned to embrace reinvention as both a challenge and a gift. Those lessons inspired my work as an author. My memoir, Mama Drama: A Journey with Bipolar and Dementia, Finding Light Through Loss and Grief, explores the complexities of caregiving and resilience, while An Ancient Spell from a Distant Time captures the beauty and pain of love and memory through poetry. My next book, People Make Plans: A Heart Dog and a Castle in Hawaii, is a memoir-style novella based on true events, a deeply personal story about love, loss, and the enduring bond with a “heart dog.” I’ve also published a series called When We Wrote Letters, a nostalgic collection that captures the essence of the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s through deeply personal stories, cultural snapshots, and heartfelt correspondence. Each book is part time capsule, exploring how we connected, loved, dreamed, and communicated before the digital age changed everything.

Building my author site was quite a struggle, learning how to do it correctly and how to sell directly, and having someone (shoutout to Ryan) to help me do it! I realized pretty quickly that while Amazon is great, they keep all the customer info, so selling directly is key if you want to truly connect with your audience. That’s why I made selling direct a priority, because those connections matter. When someone visits my site, they can grab a free sample of each of my books and, most importantly, join my email list. That’s where I share new releases, behind-the-scenes stories, and updates first. It’s become one of the best ways to build a real community around my work. I’d be deeply grateful for people to sign up at SheriSmithAuthor.com/contact.

One of the biggest challenges as an author is Amazon’s algorithm. It’s absolutely ruthless. Reviews are the lifeblood of visibility, and if you don’t hit at least 50, Amazon buries your book where no one will see it. People often say they’ll leave a review and then life gets in the way, but those few minutes make a huge difference. Reviews aren’t just feedback, they’re what tell Amazon your book is worth recommending, showing to new readers, and ranking higher in search. Without them, even the best book can disappear into the void.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that the hardest seasons often become the most transformative. Starting over isn’t a failure. It’s proof of what we’re capable of when everything else is stripped away.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve always been a storyteller. Whether through food, words, or unforgettable experiences. My creative journey has taken many forms: as founder of GourmetCatering.com, a woman veteran–owned and family-run business serving Southern California since 1990, and as an author. We are now specializing in Chocolate Fondue (ChocolateFountainSoCal.com) because it never gets old. We believe events are a lot like life. All about food, fun, and love (aloha!). Aloha = Love, and it isn’t just a word; it’s a way of life. Treat others… It’s how we show up for our clients, how we build community, and how we honor the stories behind every gathering. That same philosophy runs through my writing.

I’ve built businesses from the ground up. I lost almost everything, including the house I built (facebook.com/CastleInHawaii) on the Big Island. I had to say goodbye to my heart dog Ray, and help him to the Rainbow Bridge. I started over at sixty. I’ve navigated the chaos of undiagnosed bipolar disorder in my marriage, an experience that tested and ultimately strengthened me. Those challenges taught me that creativity isn’t just about art, it’s about survival, transformation, and connection.

What I’m most proud of is that through all of it, I’ve learned to make myself a priority. I swim every day and take Body Pump classes two to three times a week, and I fuel my body with real food, no processed foods, no refined sugar, no white flour. I meditate twice a day (tm.org). These choices keep my mind clear and my energy high, and they allow me to keep showing up fully for my work and my life.

Today, whether I’m crafting an event that people talk about long after the last bite or writing a story that helps someone feel less alone, my mission is the same: to celebrate the messy, beautiful journey of being human, with heart, courage, and always with aloha.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people don’t know (yet) that I also co-authored a screenplay, My Culinary Love Story, with Jeff Solema. He is attached as the project’s producer and director. Adapted from Pauline Parry’s memoir, this screenplay weaves together themes of food, love, and reinvention in a story that’s as heartfelt as it is cinematic. It’s a project especially close to my heart, and we’re now moving it toward production, intending to film by the end of this year or in the first quarter of 2026.

People are often surprised to learn that underneath all my energy, I’m actually pretty introverted (most writers are) and introspective. I meditate twice a day with Transcendental Meditation, and it’s been a total game-changer! It keeps me grounded and helps me keep reinventing myself, even after some major life curveballs.

Another surprise? The volume of vitamins and supplements I take. How much I focus on health. I swim every single day (outdoor pool!), hit Body Pump a few times a week, and long ago kicked processed food, refined sugar, and white flour to the curb. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about feeling strong, clear, and ready for whatever life throws my way.

And here’s something I never thought I’d say: I started a blog. Honestly, it even surprises me. I’ve always been a storyteller, but writing openly and regularly on my Substack (sherismithauthor.substack.com) has become this unexpected joy — a space where I share stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative life. It’s connected me with readers in a whole new way, and I love that.

And as if I didn’t already have enough on my plate, I rescue dogs — four Frenchies in 2025 alone! Animals have always been a huge part of my life, and helping them find safety and love after abandonment or abuse is one of the most rewarding things I do.

For someone who’s spent decades bringing people together through food and events, I also deeply value my quiet time. I love reading, reflecting, and dreaming up new ideas, often in the pool, where some of my best creative sparks happen. That mix of inner stillness and outward creativity pretty much defines who I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sherismithauthor.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolatefountainsocal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CateringSoCal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-smith-4575a5b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CateringSoCal
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Q81eyulOxPOoWw-w6idxA
• Other: http://www.peoplemakeplans.com/