About Us
For business owners, by business owners.
At SmartStart, we believe entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of every small-town and rural community. Our team is made up of experienced business owners and community leaders who have lived both sides of the journey — building businesses from the ground up and helping others do the same.
SmartStart helps emerging small businesses succeed by guiding them through a proven business development process, connecting them with local resources, and fostering a strong small business community.
Co-Founder
Katie Kelly
Public servant turned entrepreneur, Katie learned a lot about business development the hard way: by just doing it. She used her experiences to help others avoid common pitfalls and launch businesses that are set up for success.
Co-Founder
Marci Goodwin
Marci is passionate about helping local small businesses thrive. She draws from her 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, including over 12 years in marketing and small business coaching, to drive entrepreneur engagement, programming, and marketing for SmartStart.
Director of Next Steps
Leigh Ann Brown
Leigh Ann has served as a Main Street Director, Economic Development Director and Chamber Director, and so has lived experience with the challenges and demands these roles face
day-to-day.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, a comment, or just want to say hello, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the form below and we'll be in touch!
