About Us
At SmartStart Business Development, we believe entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of every small-town and rural community. Our team is made up of experienced entrepreneurs and community leaders who have lived both sides of the journey — building businesses from the ground up and helping others do the same.
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We created SmartStart to help communities support the microbusiness owners who drive their local economies — the Main Street shopkeepers, makers, solo service providers, pop-up retailers, and home-based entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by traditional programs. Through the SmartStart Navigator, the SmartStart Growth Challenge, and ongoing guidance, SmartStart equips Chambers, Main Streets, and economic development leaders to build strong, connected ecosystems that make it easier for local entrepreneurs to start, grow, and thrive.
Co-Founder
Katie Kelly
Public servant turned entrepreneur, Katie learned a lot about business development the hard way. 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 over 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and over 12 years in small business support to drive entrepreneur engagement, programming, and marketing for SmartStart.
Director of Next Steps
Leigh Ann Brown
Leigh Ann brings over 20 years of economic development experience to the team. She has a passion for helping other leaders develop and implement effective strategies to support local microbusiness development.
Contact Us
​Are you ready to find out how to bring SmartStart to your community or want to talk to the SmartStart team directly? Please fill out the form below and we'll be in touch!
