The Outlet That Changed My Life: How Faith, Grit, and a Stranger on a Plane Saved Our Startup
What if the lifeline your business needed… came from the person sitting next to you on a plane?
In this inspiring true story, Troy G. Smith shares the unforgettable moment that changed the trajectory of his life and saved his startup at the very edge of collapse.
In 2003, his tech company was out of cash, out of options, and one missed deal away from shutting down. After an unfruitful client trip, Troy boarded a plane home with a heavy heart — and sat next to a stranger whose quiet, pointed questions sparked a decision that would rewrite the future of his company.
What followed was a sequence of events that only faith could explain: a phone call, a check, and a second chance that carried the business from the brink to acquisition — and beyond.
In this short, powerful read, you’ll discover:
The real pressure of leading a startup through near-failure
How honesty and transparency earned deep loyalty from a small team
The power of divine timing and the courage to try one more time
What it means to build something that outlasts you
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a person of faith, or simply someone facing your own “this might be it” moment — this book will remind you that breakthrough can show up in the most unexpected ways.
Sometimes, the connection that changes everything… isn’t in your laptop.
It’s in the seat next to you.
About
Troy G. Smith
Troy is a technology leader, entrepreneur, and author of The Outlet That Changed My Life and Your Family’s Daily Guide to Allergy-Friendly Cooking & Eating. With over 25 years of experience in insurance technology and a passion for storytelling, Troy shares personal lessons from the front lines of leadership, family life, and extraordinary real-world encounters.
He lives in Garland, Texas with his wife Lamonica and their four children — Morgan, Noah, Pryce, and Presley. Much of his writing is shaped by the realities of raising children with severe food allergies and autism, and the deep belief that life’s toughest moments are never wasted.
Through blog posts, personal reflections, and future book releases, Troy uses this space to offer encouragement, practical insight, and a record of the moments that continue to shape his journey.