Meet Wendy Smith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As with everyone else I wanted to increase my income along with my 9-5 job. Also, our parents are getting older and I wanted to ensure that we could financially provide for them as needed and when that time come when they are less independent.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At The Soomitz Group, we help business owners and operational leaders strengthen their teams’ project delivery and drive strategic initiatives forward. We do so through workshops and project advisory services, grounded in practical project management techniques. The practicality of our engagements is what we find that sets us apart. Our clients do not have time to do long trainings on theory but instead want solutions to begin using Monday morning. Participants are able to begin using what they’ve learned immediately to their own work. This also resonates with teams that don’t have a project manager, so they use the tools to work together and deliver on their projects. As for business owners, our advisory services help them to map out a goal that they have had in their head and develop an actionable plan, to get them moving.

One proud moment was delivering a custom workshop at the Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation, helping entrepreneurial business owners align on their key initiatives.

I started my business 3 yrs ago, with the intention of being a reseller to the local city municipalities. As time progressed, I realized my business model was not sustainable, so I pivoted to training and consulting using my 20+ year experience in Project Management. It was not easy to pivot as now I had to learn about sales and prospecting vs being a reseller, which is to procure what is being requested.

Lessons I have learned is to continue learning – understand the areas of business that are not so strong and learn from others that are ahead of you in their business. That was sales and prospecting for me. Also, I have learned to network, be in the right rooms, meet people and build on those relationships as you never know how you can help others and vice versa. But not just meeting people but following up as well. Be aware of your mindset and when negative thoughts try to take over. For me, I know I exude confidence, but every now and then, I get into my head – however when I realize I’m spinning, I stop, reset and ask myself why I am spinning. I find this to be a good exercise. And lastly, stay visible on whatever platform you believe can reach your future clients. I post regularly on LinkedIn, giving snippets of tips on communication, leading teams, managing projects and more.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story – Whether you’re feeling stuck with a goal or your team is misaligned, The Soomitz Group helps bring structure, clarity, and momentum to your work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, no pressure for 1 week of activities – geez. Ok, to eat and drink, we’d find spots on Las Olas, like Eddie Vs and Moxy’s. To dance a little would be Rooftop @1WLO in Fort Lauderdale and Throw Social in Delray Beach. And finally, we’d hang out at the beach and pool. We are more of the chill vibes kind of people, sprinkled in with a little tequila, food and music and we are good to go.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate this to my family and friends who have always and continue to believe in all the things I ever tell them that I want to do. And also, to those that I have met and learned from along the way, that has helped me to keep going to the next level of myself, career and business.

Website: https://www.thesoomitzgroup.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-smith-pmp-pmi-acp-cspo-itil-59992615/

Image Credits
Nikembe (Jazz) Patterson, Vivian Vo, Layla Cevallos