Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamilia Smith
Hi Jamilia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a multi-faceted experienced professional leading a career in business consulting. I manage a diverse and dynamic business portfolio, with over $150M in annual revenue. I am deeply engaged and involved in my local and extended communities, serving as the Governing Board Chair for Brighten Academy Charter School, Member of the Douglas County Small Business Council, Leadership Douglas Alumni Member, Douglas County Strategic Planning Team, and an esteemed member of the Alabama State University 50 under 50 exceptional alumni.
I grew up in Griffin, GA, graduated college from Alabama State University, and currently hold a B.A. in Communications/PR, and a Master of Public Administration.
I began my career post-graduation, where I worked in Career Services, helping to bridge the gap between college graduates and gainful employment. Transitioning from Career Services after a few years, I began my human resources/recruitment career, where I developed effective recruitment strategies and talent programs that helped businesses I supported sustain strong personnel operations. After about 12 years in this professional space, I accepted an offer to join the world’s most caring company helping to select franchisees. This was the last role before my current career.
In addition to my full-time career, my expertise, leadership and commitment to service has positively influenced the trajectory of Brighten Academy. Since being elected to board leadership, we have successfully refined financial oversight, saving our school north of $300k annually, we’ve transitioned leadership and created a more robust and effective organizational structure, and provided more unique opportunities for students attending our school. Personally, I’ve introduced several clubs, relationships and organizations to Brighten, including the first Elementary &Middle School Debate Team, Mock Trial Team, Student Council, and several other influential initiatives. One of my greatest passions is removing systemic barriers to create space and opportunities for student leaders to thrive. ASU provided me with unique experiences that helped to develop and shape my outlook on the world, and essentially helped me to discover how and where my skillsets are most valuable. I want to inspire that legacy for the next generation.
Douglas County has been no place short of opportunities to get involved, and I believe I’ve accepted every opportunity to be an active member in my community. The Chamber of Commerce, community and school leaders, and residents, have all been a wealth of knowledge as I’ve navigated the landscape of business meeting community.
Personally, my greatest title thus far is “Mom”. My husband and I have three beautiful daughters whom we love so dearly, and we are blessed to do life with them. I am the oldest, with two younger sisters who mean the world to me, and it is truly a fascinating opportunity to raise three younger versions of us. My mother and step-father have been the greatest anchors in my life and I’m hopeful that our girls feel that way about my husband and me. Family is important to me and we are a very close-knit bunch.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was never told that the road would be easy, but I believe I was sent here for a purpose that will be fulfilled in the Earth. Throughout my life, there have been a few ups and downs that have all helped to increase resilience and shape my character.
As a first-generation college graduate, there were many firsts I experienced along the journey. My journey to college was one of which I’d consider to be non-traditional. My mother invested in a recruiting company that did not deliver on their promises. Therefore, my athletic future was in our hands. She mother was and will always be my biggest supporter and encourager, always being a truthteller in every aspect. She was the foundation of my drive to be “twice as good as my greatest competition”. To be that good, it took discipline, hard work, focus, and a lot of missed parties and outings other teenagers got to experience. After being rewarded a full scholarship to attend college, I immediately started sharing our strategies with other athletes in underserved communities. This was an endeavor I took on during my first-year of college, and it was a challenge to balance it all.
Graduating college does not automatically secure the exact job you want, and this was a lesson I learned the hard way. Before arriving at the career stage in which I currently am, the road was fairly tough. I’ve experienced micromanagement, being undervalued, exhaustion, self-doubt, workplace envy, and many twists and turns in my work experience. However, I firmly believe that all these things have truly worked together for my good, and I’m so grateful.
One recent challenge has been that of assuming the Chairmanship on our charter school board. Although rewarding, this was an uphill climb to build trust within a school community that was less familiar with high-performance leadership teams. This change is especially hard when limited diversity of thought and experience are at the forefront of the school community’s area of opportunity. Education is somewhat different from corporate America, and it has been a rewarding challenge to help bridge gaps between the two industries for the ultimate benefit of our students and stakeholders. This journey has shaped my empathy and compassion in a way that inspires others and drives excellent results.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an experienced professional consultant with a passion for helping businesses grow and thrive. My work centers around managing a diverse and dynamic portfolio in the quick-service restaurant industry, where I specialize in creating mutually beneficial partnerships and launching successful business ventures. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of providing countless tailored business solutions that empower business owners to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.
What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t just the work I do—it’s the legacy I’m building for my daughters. Being a loving mother is my greatest achievement, and I strive every day to show them that there are no limits to what they can accomplish. I’ve also been honored with numerous accolades for my work performance, and while I’m grateful for each of them, I see them as reflections of my dedication to excellence rather than just personal achievements.
What sets me apart? I believe it’s my deep understanding of and unwavering commitment to my God-given purpose. That purpose fuels my drive, sharpens my vision, and enables me to deliver results that make a lasting impact. At the end of the day, my work isn’t just about business; it’s about relationships, integrity, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people who know me or my work is that my first dream job wasn’t in business at all. It was to become a highly ranked military professional, leading high-priority operations through special forces teams. I’ve always been drawn to strategy, leadership, and high-stakes decision-making, so the idea of being part of an elite team tackling critical missions was very exciting to me.
Maybe that’s why all of my favorite movies have a military action or organized crime plot. I love a good story about precision, teamwork, and overcoming the odds. While my career path took a different turn, that same passion for leadership, problem-solving, and making an impact still drives everything I do today.
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