Meet Stephanie Smith

 

We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Being the only one in the room that looks like me has never really been unfamiliar. My earliest memory of noticing that I was the only one in the room that looks like me was when I was inducted in the National Honors Society in high school; I was 1 of 2 black students which consequently translated to a lot of my classes. I never felt out of place, but I always wondered where the disconnect was. Moving on to college and corporate spaces the representation in those rooms didn’t change much. However, those environments helped me learn that rather than shrinking in those moments, I needed to take up space with confidence and purpose. I’ve built success by leaning into three core principles: preparation, adaptability, and community.

Knowledge has always been my biggest asset when walking into a room where there might be bias or an underestimation of what I bring to the table. I’ve made sure that I’m not just in the room but that I bring value to it. I’ve put a lot of time and energy into becoming an expert in my field; that deserves some shine.

I’ve had to navigate spaces where I was either ignored or expected to prove myself more than others. Instead of being discouraged, I’ve learned to read the room, adjust my approach, and communicate my ideas effectively—without sacrificing who I am. This skill has helped me build businesses, lead teams, and pitch investors. I am Stephanie wherever I am but sometimes in different languages to make sure that my audience hears me.

While I’ve learned to thrive in spaces where I’m the only one, I also focus on creating opportunities and leaning in where I’m *not* the only one. I actively work to bring more diverse voices into my industry by spreading my knowledge and making relevant connections because success isn’t just about navigating existing spaces—it’s about reshaping them. My inner circle also keeps me going during times that may be a bit more frustrating. I’ve created a strong tribe that can relate and be supportive so when I’m a bit exhausted being the only one in a room, I lean in more with them.

Ultimately, I’ve realized that being “the only one” in the room doesn’t mean being alone. I carry the experiences of those who came before me, and I create paths for those coming next. That mindset has made all the difference.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I went through a Find Your Why exercise by Simon Sinek. My Why: To advocate for autonomy and create a nurturing environment so that anyone can confidently and independently flourish. I’m deeply passionate about making digital advertising more accessible, whether for aspiring business owners, students, or professionals looking to sharpen their skills. My work spans multiple ventures, each focused on education, empowerment, and innovation in this space.

With my consulting business, Social by Steph, I manage paid social ads mainly for small and medium sized businesses. I decided to focus on them because I noticed a gap in our space where there were smaller businesses that didn’t have the budgets to access agency talent. I take my million-dollar budget experience and bring it to the pockets of these businesses. I also teach small business owners, entrepreneurs, in-house teams, and startup founders how to manage ads on their own.

What I’m the most excited about right now is my platform, SiMMY. I’m developing a tech startup focused on AI-powered tools that revolutionize digital ad management. SiMMY has two flagship products: a training simulator that allows users to practice running ad campaigns in a risk-free environment and an AI-generated audience builder that scrapes websites to create hyper-targeted audiences for Meta ads, complete with market performance predictions. These tools are designed to help anyone optimize their ad spend and strategy with data-driven insights.

I love that my work sits at the intersection of education, technology, and entrepreneurship. Whether it’s helping someone launch their first ad campaign, teaching students how to build a brand, or developing AI-driven tools that make advertising more efficient, my focus is always on empowering people with the skills and strategies they need to succeed in today’s digital landscape.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Everyone’s journey will be different but I do feel there are a few key skills that can resonate for anyone.

1. Adaptability & Resilience. Entrepreneurship comes with constant challenges—whether it’s pivoting a business model, switching teams, or navigating industry shifts. Being adaptable has allowed me to keep moving forward despite setbacks. Expect roadblocks, but don’t see them as failures—they are learning opportunities. It’s cliche but you should “fail forward” which is just another way of saying you are learning from every mistake or setback. The best way to develop adaptability is by embracing a solution-oriented mindset.

2. Establish a network. So much of my growth has come from relationships—mentors who have guided me, team members who have helped build my vision, old colleagues that have referred my business and friendships that have kept me going. Build genuine connections, not just transactional ones. Seek out communities where people are doing what you want to do. Go to industry events, engage with others online, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire. Build a tribe of likeminded friends that can keep you accountable. The more you invest in relationships, the more opportunities naturally come your way.

3. Never stop learning. The world of business, marketing, and technology is always evolving. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Staying curious and continuously learning has allowed me to stay ahead of trends, adapt to changes, and develop innovative solutions. Whether it’s learning new strategies, understanding emerging technologies, or refining leadership skills, growth should never stop. Treat learning as a lifelong habit. Read industry news and relevant books, listen to podcasts, attend conferences, and surround yourself with people who challenge you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit what you don’t know—curiosity is one of the greatest assets you can have. Invest in learning both formally and informally—whether it’s through books, mentorship, or hands-on experimentation. The more knowledge you acquire, the more confident and capable you become in making strategic decisions.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I firmly believe it’s better to go all in on your strengths rather than trying to be great at everything. When you focus on what you’re naturally good at, have the most experience in and/or passionate about, you have the opportunity to become an expert in that area—someone who is sought after, trusted, and known for delivering real value. Mastery creates momentum, and being deeply skilled in a specific area can open doors that wouldn’t exist if you were just “okay” at many things.

That doesn’t mean ignoring weaknesses completely, but rather being strategic about them. Not every skill gap is worth closing, especially if it doesn’t directly drive business growth. Instead, outsource, delegate, or collaborate with people who complement your strengths. Some of the biggest breakthroughs in my own journey have come from bringing in people whose expertise fills the gaps in areas that aren’t my strongest—or aren’t the best use of my time.

For example, in building SiMMY, I knew my strengths were in marketing strategy, audience development, and understanding the problems marketers face. But I’m not a developer, and I knew that trying to learn to code or manage the technical aspects myself would slow everything down and likely lead to mistakes. Instead, I brought in a talented tech team, who has played a crucial role in bringing SiMMY to life. This allowed me to stay in my zone of genius while ensuring the product was built at the highest level.

The same applies to Social by Steph. Hiring my bookkeeper has still been the best decision I could have made for my business. There was a point where I had gotten so business servicing clients that I was sending out invoices late and consequently, wasn’t getting paid on time. My bookkeeper has streamlined the entire invoice to payment process for me.

For anyone trying to build something meaningful, my advice is this: Double down on what you’re great at and let that be your differentiator. People don’t remember generalists; they remember specialists and experts. If you’re a creative genius, don’t waste time trying to become a finance expert—find a finance person who complements your skills.

The key is to be self-aware and strategic. Recognize your strengths, refine them, and position yourself as an expert in your field. Then, build a team or network that supports you in the areas where you’re not as strong. That’s how you create sustainable success and real impact.

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