SMV8: Dwight Smith shares why personality & integrity lead to success. He won E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year, built & sold his company, and Chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Written By Jeff (J.D.) Davids

SMV8: Dwight Smith shares why personality & integrity are essential elements of success. He won the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award, built & sold his tech company, and Chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

In this episode, you will learn:

  1. Why your personality and integrity are essential elements of success.

  2. Four important considerations in selling your company - price is NOT one of them.

  3. What it’s like to Chair the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

  4. How they almost lost the whole company, and bounced back to success.

  5. Why culture and relationships are your best team retention strategies.

Episode Summary:
This episode of the SmartMoney Ventures Podcast features Dwight Smith who is a true servant leader in business, board service, and the philanthropic pursuits that he and his wife Renee are deeply committed to.

Dwight built his company, Sophisticated Systems, Inc. for 33 years and along the way, he has consistently given back to his community with both his time and his treasure. His colleagues & peers frequently recognize his achievements and contributions with awards and accolades.

Dwight is the recipient of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Milt Lewin Legacy Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, and he and his wife Renee are recent recipients of the Harrison M. Sayre Award from The Columbus Foundation for their passionate support of social justice, entrepreneurship & youth empowerment!  

Dwight has served on 16 Boards of Directors, including as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Columbus Foundation where he served on the Governing Committee, Columbus State Community College, The Highlights Foundation, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and more recently, People’s Bank and Rocky Brands. 

In 2015 Smith co-founded My Special Word, a non-profit focused on empowering children around the world and the importance and impact of positive words. Smith is an active investor and mentor for several entrepreneurial ventures.

He has served as an Adjunct Professor in the MBA Program at Franklin University and is a guest lecturer at The Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. Smith was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Franklin University in 2021.

He graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Marketing and an MBA in Finance.

 
Jeff (J.D.) Davids
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SMV9: Sue Tyler on growing from zero to $300 Million of revenues in 4 years, and why people and culture matter. 

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SMV7: Hugh Cathey is a serial entrepreneur with multiple IPOs who gives back to the community and invests in educating other entrepreneurs.