Three years ago, you could find Marisa Smith wearing pajamas, sitting at her computer at her Ann Arbor home. That was when she had her own company: DataSmith Consulting LLC. Now she works in an Ann Arbor office managing a staff of five, including a member in a Wisconsin office, and is receiving training from ATHENA International.
In 1995, she accepted a position with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at U-M. She began as a part-time secretary, received her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, then became an academic advisor. Smith became interested in using the Web to get information to students and learned to create Web sites and databases.
In 2002, she launched DataSmith Consulting LLC with no start-up costs. The company primarily offered its software, AccreditSation, which streamlines the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) application process that collects and organizes documents into a central location. It was Smith and her computer in her Ann Arbor home for two years. “When you work for a large organization, there is generally a safety net if you get sick or go on vacation, but in a small company, there’s not as much depth to provide coverage and keep income flowing in when people are out. … Given the choice, though, I’ll take self-employment and small business any day. It’s really cool to see our business evolve.”
Throughout the years, the staff expanded, including Smith’s father joining her and her business partner, Dale Bengston, who works from Madison, Wis. She moved from an Ann Arbor home to a Dexter location and then to the current space at 150 S. Fifth St. in 2006.
Last year her company merged with Streamline Studio LLC to form The Whole Brain Group LLC. The business continues to offer AccreditStation – software mainly used by educational institutions and community hospitals. Smith said the company is working on several projects including a software system for animal research projects at Michigan State University, a large data conversion process for Michigan Administrative Information Services at U-M, and a newsclippings management system at University of Chicago. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin office deals primarily with automating printing workflow, Web-based stationery systems, and digital asset management. She said the company has 18 AcceditStation clients and about 35 clients overall.
Smith said her position with her work has changed greatly. “I have to get used to distributing labor and not wearing so many hats now.”
Smith was selected as the 2008 ATHENA Powerlink recipient – the second participant for the program from Ann Arbor. The program, part of ATHENA International, aims to increase growth and profitability of women-owned businesses through mentoring. She said her three main goals were strategic long-term planning, leadership development and increased revenue. Smith said she would also like to create more standard, versatile software that many clients can use instead of multiple custom projects.
Though Smith no longer runs her own business from her desk at home, she is excited about the future.
“Most of our clients come to us because they need someone to objectively examine their processes, or lack thereof, and find ways to make things more efficient. We love figuring out the method to their madness, and developing ways to streamline and automate things so they can concentrate on the quality of their work.”
BACKGROUND
EDUCATION
B.A. Music, Colgate University; M.A. Higher Education Administration, University of Michigan.
Family – Husband Chris; Daughter Charlotte (almost 5).
Residence – Dexter.
INSIGHTS
Best way to keep competitive edge – Networking.
How do you motivate people – Free food.
How do you motivate yourself – Zingerman’s mochas.
Three greatest passions – Music, family, reading.
Most unique office decor – Silver ceiling panels.
Favorite hobby – Karaoke.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Best business decision – Partnering with Dale.
Biggest management myth – Self-employment gives you freedom.
What advice would you give to yourself 10 years ago? Enjoy your free time while you have it!
Word that best describes you – Organized.
CONFESSIONS
What keeps you up at night – Worrying about keeping all the balls in the air.
Pet peeve – Repeating myself because someone didn’t listen the first time.
Guilty pleasure - Dancing with the Stars.
First job – Video store clerk.
First choice for a new career – Opinion leader.
TREASURES
Favorite cause – Red Cross. Favorite book - Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Favorite movie - Empire Strikes Back.
What’s on your iPod/car radio dial – Hannah Montana and NPR.
What do you do to recharge the batteries – Go for a walk.
Favorite restaurant – Zingerman’s Roadhouse & Common Grill.
Wheels – 2007 Honda Odyssey.
Read the full story from The Ann Arbor Business Review here
Article written by Christina Field, freelance writer.
This article was reproduced with express permission gained from The Ann Arbor Business Review publication. Featured in the Ann Arbor Business Review; May 22, 2008
