Burnim:  Hello, I’m Mickey Burnim, President of Bowie State University and host of the President’s Update. Thank you for joining us today on the President’s update. My guest is Joshua Smith, Chairman of the Board of Visitors for Bowie State University.  Josh welcome, we’re excited to have you.  Why don’t we begin today by you telling us a little bit about your background? Where are you from? Where did you go to school? What have you been doing career wise for the last several years?

Smith:  Well I was born in Kentucky, raised in Ohio, and went to school at Central State University.  Went to law school at University of Akron and have done a lot of things. Fortunately progressed in what I thought were my careers.  I didn’t know that I was destined to be a serial entrepreneur.  So I started my first company MAXIMA Corporation in 1978. Went on from there, had some successes and some challenges. I’m glad that I’m doing what I really should do.

Burnim:  Alright, well you mentioned MAXIMA Corporation, was that your first business venture?
Smith:  It was. I kind of expected it to be a lot smaller than it actually was, but we were able to do some things that I didn’t realize were so unique.  That’s in terms of breakthroughs and we grew very, very fast.  Faster then we planned to grow.  You learn from these experiences and they prepare you for whatever you are to do, so I’m kind of glad it happened.  If I had to do it again I would probably have slowed down the pace.  Now I coach others on how they should grow their business.  It all works out well.

Burnim:  What kind of business was it? I.T.?

Smith:  I.T.  Yes,  computer technology between 1978-1998.  Technology went through so many iterations, it was amazing and that was the good news.  That people would contract out of these opportunities rather than absorb them within their organization. Primarily the federal agencies, but technology is just moving at just such an exponential rate.  If I had to do it again I would do cars, insurance, something where my name was a little more steady.  Cause technology is also the advantage and those were the resources.  So even if you have a great idea, somebody with money can come right along and kind of take you out of that situation.  So, great experiences learned a lot.

Burnim:  Tell us a little more about some of the business ventures you’re involved in now.  I know you spend a lot of time consulting with boards and corporate executives.  I know you have a radio show that we’re going to talk a little bit about later on.  You are working with the Board of Visitors of Bowie State University.  Tell the audience something about those activities.

Smith:  Well, I’m very fortunate.  A total of six public boards, board directors, and my first board was Fed-Ex in 1989. I’m still on the Fed-Ex board and I’m very proud of that.  Enilin Steel, Caterpillar Corporation, All-State, CompCare, and medical company out of Canada.  That’s one of the things I do and I’m on the U.S. Chamber and I’m on the Sodexho board of advisors as well.  I guess I have expertise in boards and that’s not a bad thing, because it allows me to blend what large corporations do in coaching CEO’s of small businesses, because I have the best of both worlds and have knowledge in those areas.  That’s my love. Before that I did a lot of speaking because I was with the George H.W. Bush administration.  In the administration we did some phenomenal things in minority business development around the country.  I was the first chairman of the U.S. Commission that they ever had.  With the government and business it’s allowed me to continue my focus on how I can assist others in quality of life and their success.

Burnim:  Well, that is very impressive and considering that, I think it makes some wonder how would you share some of your time with Bowie State University.  You have agreed to serve on the Board of Visitors and have been elected as the first chairman of that board.  What is it that attracted you to Bowie State University and to serve on this board?

Smith: First of all I have an honorary doctorate from Bowie State back in the mid-eighties so that’s one linkage to Bowie State.  The other is that I firmly believe that you have talent and experiences that are given to you by the grace of God.  You can get some benefit out of it. I get a lot of benefit and live a pretty decent life but the whole purpose is to return that to others and make things better.  I fully believe that and Bowie State is one of those vehicles that if I can take my experience and funnel it into Bowie State and support it.  Then it’s able to do a better job of leveraging that into the students and into the community.  So I support Bowie State in its mission to support the community and its students.

Burnim: Well that is truly outstanding.  If you don’t mind us sharing with the audience that you and your wife made a generous pledge to the campaign of Bowie State University, the BIG Campaign is what we call it.  We certainly appreciate that.  Would you tell the audience a little bit about why you felt it important to go beyond giving your time but also giving your financial sources?

Smith: In the case of Bowie State, a lot of universities have been after me to do things.  I don’t think you can do a good job at a lot of things.  I believe you’ve got to focus and you’ve got to maximize opportunities.  So I decided there are only one or two universities that I could afford time wise and attention wise to devote my resources to.  One of them is Bowie State University the other is Africa University because it educates students in 28 communities in Africa accredited and I’m proud of that.  I’m also proud of Bowie State and I hope to bring a lot of my contacts in the corporate world to Bowie State.  I’ve got one to tell you at lunch today, I can’t announce it yet but you’ll be very happy with this one.

Burnim: Great, that is wonderful.  Just thrilling to have the association and support.  Tell us from your perspective as a businessman and entrepreneur what advantages do businesses have being in close proximity to a comprehensive university.

Smith: Well, I want to answer that two ways because it is a 2-way street.  A lot of universities feel that business should come to the university and to some extent that’s right.  But I think the universities have to make plans to meet these corporations at eye level.  It’s a joint thing.  A lot of universities expect that because of the purpose they serve corporations have an obligation.  Even if a corporation decides to get into a venture with a university it’s going to pick the best.  That can be local quality, subject driven, whatever.  I think that it’s an advantage with the right university with the right attitude, with the right understanding of how corporations work.  Corporations also have to develop an understanding of how the university works.  Having a university in and of itself is not the key.  It’s having a university have an understanding and sensitivity to what corporations are.  That’s what I hope to do with this university.  Just work with the staff and convey that thinking of how that match can be made.

Burnim: Thank you.  Now let’s turn our attention to something that I know is near and dear to your hear these days and that is Biz Talk with Josh.  I think it was about a year ago that you launched that venture.  Tell me how that’s going, and what the purpose is, and what your vision for that.

Smith:  Well, with my personality it’s very difficult for me to do that.  Now people have been asking me to do that for a long time because I do a lot of speaking around the country.  I’m a motivational speaker in business.  I’ve even ended up giving a couple sermons.  If you would believe it my wife takes care of that when I have to do it.  I considered it and my associate, Andre, has been after me to do this so then I decided I’d give it a try.  We did launch it a year ago and I’m pleased with our progress.  I’m very comfortable as a host. Biz Talk with Josh deals with minority small women owned businesses and entrepreneur issues.  Not just corporate issues you hear about on T.V., but issues directly related to people in business or going into business that they need to understand.  I have guests, I have topics, and we even covered a topic on bankruptcy because you need to know the symptoms of bankruptcy before it’s declared.  So we try to provide the kind of information that allows a business person in business or about to go into business the sensitivities and what I call hooks that they can use.  You want the preacher to give you a hook you can use for the week.  You know, give a hook where you can hold onto something we said.  I had Fred Smith who was a founder and still CEO and chairman of Fed Ex.  We’ve been close friends for 20 years and I had him on the show an hour, it was amazing. As large as Fed Ex is, a little less than a 40-billion dollar per year corporation and over 200 countries.  His sensitivity is small business because the more lively and viable small businesses are around the world, the more they ship their products.  So he has this great thing for small business and trade.  He was able to give some insight on how he went from a small business in the very beginning, and what he did to transition to what turned out to be a whole new industry.  As well as getting investment employees to where it is.  However, at one time he was a small business, had a small business loan, and he had the small business issues a people do now.  I was able to extrapolate some of that to discuss in the show. My having been in business allows me to do that.

Burnim: Fascinating story.

Smith: Ah, it’s the most fascinating that I’ve had on the show thus far.

Burnim: Well Josh, one doesn’t have to talk to you for far too long to tell you’re really excited about business generally.  But what is it about business per say that excites you so?

Smith:  I mean there’s a bottom line you have to address and so many areas.  You hear about the pansies game and with your PhD in economics you know that.  The whole purpose is to keep it going so your never get to the truth.  You introduce new things and therefore it looks like you making progress but what you’re doing is barring on the future to satisfy the others and not really reaching a bottom line.  However, business is characterized by a bottom line, but churches also to me have a bottom line.  I mean you don’t have to be a four profit business to understand the bottom line.  Families, there’s a bottom line. What you spend, how much you get, budget, these are bottom line issues.  Business is absolute.  The bottom line is there and it’s a testimony and validation of where you are, that’s one of the reasons I like it.

Burnim:  Alright, thank you for sharing that. Well you’ve had a varied and interesting career path.  It’s true with life generally that there are lessons along the way.  Share with us one or two of the most beneficial lessons you’ve learned during the course of your career.

Smith: Certainly one of them is you got to know who you are not.  I’ve been blessed and given a lot of talents but I learned early in my career when I thought maybe I pitched a no-hitter in little-league and I thought it was great.  I could throw a curve ball that would curve a foot and a half, but I threw my arm out.  Tried basketball and I learned that all black men can’t jump.  I didn’t have physical skills, but that were great because it allowed me to focus on other things and I didn’t waste any time.  I think the mistake people make is they go into areas and put that valuable time when the end result is not going to be positive because you’ve got to be an absolute exception.  One of my lessons came early in the game, but God gave you a lot to work with and you’ve got to have trust in him that those are learning periods for you.  So I’ve had obstacles and learned a lot.

Burnim:  Thank you for sharing that.  I think that’s something for us all to keep in mind.  We’re going to take a break right now.  We’ll be back in a moment.  Please stay with us.

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Burnim:  Welcome back.  This is the President’s Update and our guest today is Mr. Joshua Smith.  Josh you mentioned earlier in our conversation a coaching group which is one of your business ventures.  It’s one that really excites a great deal these days. Tell the audience a bit more about the coaching group and what it does.

Smith: Well, one of the things I learned, what some people call failures I call learning experiences.  I’ve had my share of challenges and successes.  When I felt MAXIMA Corporation went its way I thought to myself, “What would I do next? What would I do next?”  I continued on the boards but would I start another company?  I knew it wouldn’t be information technology.  I knew that for the reasons I told you before.  It dawned on me that what I’m best at is coaching.  A lot of the things that I did during my career were particularly in the political side of it.  I was actually chairman of the George H.W. Bush for president campaign.  As you may recall, in 1988 we won for the first time.  I like the access to politics.  I like my effectiveness.  Then I was appointed chairman of the U.S. Commission on minority business development.  The only such commission ever appointed.  I went around the country and what I didn’t know and didn’t learn until recently is the impact we really had.  Those came from experiences with MAXIMA Corporation.  I said the best thing I could do is work with other CEO’s in positions to grow and coach them on how to take that next step.  The key to growth, particularly in the African American community, is not just business, its successful measurable businesses.  It’s the businesses that have employees, businesses that grow, and make a contribution to the community.  Over 90% of businesses in the African American community have no paid employees.  What I wanted was these CEOs that had a vision but hadn’t had the experience and I could give them that so I started a coaching group to work with CEOs that could grow.  Now interesting, not all CEOs would take advice.  The ones that took advice were the ones that had made mistakes and they realized what I brought to the table.  It’s that I was valuable in thinking through situations before they made decisions that could lead to potential disasters.  I had some great success.  One company in Virginia started and I think they were only doing three million, in trouble.  They were the franchise of a large corporation.  I won’t say which one because it wasn’t a good experience.  There was really evidence of racism there.  This young man however hung in there and I worked with him in making decisions.  Mainly I coached him to think over decisions before he made a move.  To work with me, not that I have the answers but I know there’s a process for making a decision.  Never make a decision when you’re upset in any situation.  Then you could see how they were treating him so he would call me and say, “I’m about to…” Then I’d say “no, no,” let’s talk this over.”  Well, I’m pleased to say that six years later his company has acquired two John Deere Dealerships doing being $35-$40 million a year, and one of my best friends.  He credits that companionship, that mentorship, that coaching.  Not in terms of what he had to do because he knew what he had to do.  He knew the business, but he was getting really turned off course from the emotional side.  That’s why I try to coach people in terms of how things work in the corporate world. As well as how their thinking when they’re dealing with a corporation.  We got a company in Chicago that’s about to launch project for about four years.  One of the sharpest young ladies and she’s dual citizenship. I helped her through the maze of how to deal with corporations and she just called me the other day and there’s going to be a launch of this first of a kind project owned by minorities in Chicago, Cameroon, Africa, and a rental dealership.  I can tell you ones that didn’t work but we don’t need to take the time because people listen or they don’t.  You can’t require that.  Regardless, those are two of the people I’m very proud of.

Burnim:  Do you principally work with ongoing concerns that are struggling and trying to grow or move to the next level, or do you work with start-up people?

Smith: No, no.  I mean if somebody in church gets me, my wife‘s the pastor so I don’t have a lot of resistance there.  I do a lot of running but can’t run that fast.  Not start-ups though.  You have to go through certain iterations and start-ups may have a great idea, but I work with one of those that have hit the wall and made the mistakes. That’s what I look for when I interview candidates for clients.  I don’t do any homework on them.  I don’t do any background my associate does.  I just want to know if I like them, do I trust them, and do they have integrity?  I let my gut make a lot of the decisions because at the end of the day it’s about people.  It’s the human factors that make the difference in business success.  I try to judge the character of the person I’m dealing with and then I’ll look at the background.  I found that I’ll make fewer mistakes when I let my gut talk for me first before I let all this information effect me.  We also have another thing.  I have a new manufacturing company called United Converty out of Pennsylvania. We make non-woven wipes, handy wipes, and handy-wipe products for private labeling.  About 20-25 employees and we’re about to launch a new product that we think is a blanket.  It’s anti-malarial which means it kills insects.  They were working in partnership with Africa University and hopefully that will launch this year.  That’s the most exciting product because it will not only help the university generate revenues, but it will save lives throughout Africa.  To me that’s what God gives you the talent to do, and if you can make a little money at the same time, then it’s all good.

Burnim:  Well that is outstanding, thank you for sharing that with us.  I’d like to switch gears a little bit now and talk about some of the contributions you’ve already made as the chairman of the Board of Visitors for Bowie State University.  We’re involved through your leadership in a venture with CompCare.  We also have interns who have left the university and have gone to Florida for an internship experience this summer.  Really a wonderful opportunity for those young people, and I’d like for you to talk a bit about how you were able to make that happen.

Smith:  Thank you.  I’m pleased to do that. CompCare is a company where I serve as the vice chairman of the corporation.   I just saw so much potential in Bowie State University.   I met Dr. Coleman as you know is the first day I met her I was very impressed with her.  She has a savvy and sensitivity to business.  The first thing I did with CompCare was help them serve the underserved.  I told them one way of doing that is working with an institution and being able to provide opportunities for some of the students.  We put together the internship program.  As a matter of fact I met with them two weeks ago, and I want you to know they are behaving themselves.   I mean you couldn’t be more proud of these students.  They are perfect examples and they were so serious when the chairman of CompCare came in and the CEO.  Then I was saying, not many people have this opportunity and they were pleased but they weren’t blown over.  This is all because they have their own ideas and they ask very probing questions about how that works.  The thing that I’m probably most excited about is people in social areas.  Sociology, psychology, and not so much nursing because it’s medical. I think that there are certain routes that they’re destined to.  What I told them is this is a business in the healthcare industry that’s going to grow and need managers as any business would.  If it’s Microsoft that’s going to need I.T. people and engineers.  Healthcare companies need people with the proper backgrounds.  So this offers an alternative to people in the college of professional services.  It’s not only being a social worker, and I’m not denigrating that.  Striving to be a manager, vice president, or CEO of a growing corporation is how we have to think. This is because as the economy shifts around there are so many opportunities evolving, and they certainly exist in healthcare.  So hopefully these students will have a whole different perspective.  Certainly CompCare wants to hire every one of them, Tampa is not a bad place to be, and I think they like that.  One thing I’m really proud of is that I’ve gotten them to see the advantages of this school in Bowie, the cornfields of Bowie, the potential that it has, and that the students are your best ambassadors.  They are so select and the quality is so high.

Burnim:  Well, that is something that we are really pleased with and I look forward to the students return and being able to get reports from them on what the experience has been like.  I know they are learning a lot.  It’s great to know that they are being good ambassadors for Bowie State University as well.

Smith:  You would be so proud.  As a matter of fact when the idea was introduced to the CompCare people, they hadn’t done this before.  The CEO John Hill told me “I’ve never had the enthusiasm.” Everybody’s so excited because they’ve gotten to learn everything about a healthcare company.  From claims to call centers, you name it and they’ve been exposed.  They now understand the elements of business in the healthcare industry, particularly behavioral healthcare.  I would look for them to move up the ladder fast and I hope they could influence others. Not knocking business degrees, but people in the world need to find out what’s happening in the world by way of opportunities and not just get caught in those traditional slots.

Burnim:  Well, I think it’s kind of fascinating to see how no matter what topic we’re discussing you always turn it back to business and focus on the business approach.  That just says what you love, what you are good at, and enjoy.  It occurs to me that some of the people viewing this program, entrepreneurs and business persons will not have the benefit of personal coaching by you.  So, what general advice would you give to entrepreneurs with on-going business concerns in today’s economic environment?

Smith:  Well, that’s a very good question because we get lost in the media.  We hear reports, and the media just dominates their thinking.  We have to learn to be selective about what we hear and what we see.  So my first advice to people in business or thinking about business is to pay attention to what’s happening in your industry. Read.  Join associations. Get to know colleagues in these areas.  Get to know people because no business happens without a relationship.  I don’t care how big the deal is.  You have to know people they have to know you.  So if you’re sitting around just going for the opportunity when it’s there, then you’re going to be very disappointed.  What you need to do is get exposure, get to know people, get off your butt, get out there, and when meetings take place be there.  Get to know people on a first name basis.  Have them get to know you, know what you want to do, then be willing to take that step.  It’s not easy but it’s not a secret either. It’s doable.

Burnim: Well, thank you very much.  I know that advice will be greatly appreciated.  Well, Josh, our time has gone by quickly.  I want to thank you for being my guest today and thank the viewing audience.  This has been the President’s Update with Joshua Smith.