Good afternoon, I’m Jim Smith. I’m a former Air Force pilot who later became a software developer. I grew up on the east side of town — definitely the “wrong side of the tracks.” Years ago, my friend Dan and I started tinkering with home control software because we thought it would be fun to have an AI-powered, talking house. In an incredibly lucky break, a major company bought it, and that gave me the freedom to explore new opportunities.

Last spring, at the Dime Box rodeo, I met a woman representing a tractor company. We hit it off instantly — bonding over a conversation about tractor pulls. That woman is here today — Tammie Goodnight from Kermit, Texas — and we’re getting married this October.

Now, Tammie is a fantastic dancer. I, on the other hand, am… let’s just say “a little rhythm-challenged.” One night we started talking about what the perfect dance hall might look like. My version was loaded with high-tech features. Tammie’s version was focused on what truly makes a venue warm, inviting, and unforgettable.

That conversation sparked an idea. Together, we’re working on creating a first-class multipurpose venue right here in Hays County — a place for weddings, corporate meetings, community events, and, of course, dancing. We’re tentatively calling it the Destiny Center.

Right now, we live in downtown Austin — which is a great place for young singles, but not where we picture raising a family. We dream of having a place in the country, where our future children — if we’re blessed with them — can play outside, enjoy nature, and grow up with strong values. Tammie comes from a family that operates a ranch and tractor repair business in Kermit. She grew up riding horses, driving ATVs, fixing tractors, and selling them at rodeos — but most importantly, she learned the value of hard work and honest dealing.

We believe Hays County is the perfect place for us — close enough to Austin to stay connected, but far enough to live the life we dream about.

And now, I’ll turn it over to Tammie to share the exciting details of the venue we hope to build.