Beth Smith is an export business consultant for the SC SBDC. She works to support existing owners of small business, business owners within the BMW supply chain, retail development, new company soft landings and start-up businesses to ensure a thriving entrepreneurial spirit in the area.

“Spartanburg is the home to advanced materials research, state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing, hundreds of international and domestic suppliers to BMW’s North American Operations, the SC Inland Port (shipping & logistics) and seven colleges,” Smith said. “Spartanburg embraces innovation, quality, production, efficiency and job opportunity for talented individuals.”

Smith has an interesting private sector professional background, having worked in marketing and organizational development for Motorola (Chicago), Digital Equipment Corporation (Boston), CNA Insurance (Chicago), American Electric Power (Columbus, OH) and UMB Financial Services (Kansas City). Over the course of her career, she became known for market-based strategic consulting. Her global marketing, sales and distribution expertise was cultivated through leading academics at Northwestern University, University of Texas (Austin) and Emory University, as well as at consumer giants such as Coca Cola, P&G and 3M.

Smith earned a MS in education, a CBA from the University of Toledo and the Certified Global Business Professional designation from NASBITE. She is a certified instructor with Blanchard Training, Acclivus, Huthwaite, Rummler, Mager and NxLevel. She is a certified Assessment Specialist with HR Chally. Smith’s work for a former PhD Partner at Mercer rounded out her formal education in organizational effectiveness practices while working on a FERC-regulated merger.

Smith believes in the power of entrepreneurial spirit whether it comes from the synergy of employees in a corporation or it is personally delivered by business owners. Her educational background and knowledge of a wide base of industries enables her to quickly establish credibility with her SBDC clients.

“I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I see that I am connecting with my clients,” Smith said. “I know then that a client truly understands what it will take to make their business successful. I know it will be just a matter of time until the client calls me to tell me of their success. That is what motivates me each day.”

SC SBDC services include personalized, confidential, free business consulting concerning many aspects of running a small company. For example, consultants can assess the feasibility of a business idea, help write a business plan or provide marketing guidance. While the SC SBDC does not provide loans, their consultants guide entrepreneurs toward potential financial options.

Smith may be reached through her email at smithem6@mailbox.sc.edu.