Hidden Gems: Meet Marva Smith of Marva Smith Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marva Smith.

Hi Marva, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Marva Smith Consulting grew out of more than 30 years of experience working at the intersection of government, nonprofit leadership, community development, arts and culture, and public service.

I began my career in public service working for Congresswoman Maxine Waters, where I grew from an intern into the role of Special Projects Director. Over the years, I went on to serve in nonprofit leadership and program development roles, working with organizations and communities throughout Los Angeles County. Those experiences taught me not only how organizations work, but also how important strong infrastructure, funding, strategy, relationships, and follow-through are to turning a good idea into something sustainable.

I eventually launched Marva Smith Consulting to bring that experience directly to nonprofits, small organizations, entrepreneurs, artists, and community-based initiatives that often have big visions but limited administrative capacity. My work includes grant writing and research, nonprofit development and compliance, strategic planning, project and program management, community engagement, bookkeeping and administrative support, and special projects.

Today, I am especially proud to work with mission-driven clients whose work strengthens communities. I see my role as helping clients move from ideas to action by providing the practical support, structure, strategy, and resources they need to do their best work.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building a sustainable consulting practice while intentionally working with nonprofits, artists, entrepreneurs, and community-based organizations that often have limited resources themselves. I have had to learn how to balance my commitment to service with the reality that my own business must also be financially sustainable.

Another challenge has been learning to value and price decades of experience. After spending much of my career in public service and nonprofit leadership, where you become accustomed to doing whatever needs to be done, entrepreneurship required me to think differently about the value of my time, expertise, and relationships.

Like many small business owners, I have also had to navigate economic uncertainty, changing technology, inconsistent funding cycles, and the constant need to adapt. More recently, I have had to rethink how I work and build a business model that allows me to continue doing meaningful work while creating greater flexibility in my life.

Those challenges have actually helped clarify what Marva Smith Consulting should be. I am building a practice centered on experience, practical problem-solving, strong relationships, and helping organizations develop the capacity they need to succeed. I am still learning, adjusting, and building, and I think that is an important part of the entrepreneurial story.

We’ve been impressed with Marva Smith Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Marva Smith Consulting is a boutique consulting practice that helps nonprofits, small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and community-based organizations turn vision into action. I specialize in working with mission-driven organizations that are doing important work but may not have the internal staff, infrastructure, or resources to accomplish everything they are trying to do.

My services include grant research and writing, nonprofit development and compliance, strategic planning, program and project development, community engagement, fundraising support, nonprofit bookkeeping, administrative systems, and special projects. I also provide executive-level support to organizational leaders who need an experienced partner to help move priorities forward.

What sets my practice apart is that I bring more than 30 years of experience across government, nonprofit leadership, community development, arts and culture, and public service to the table. I understand both the big-picture strategy and the day-to-day work required to make things happen. I am not interested in simply producing a plan and walking away. When appropriate, I work alongside my clients to help implement the plan, solve problems, build partnerships, identify resources, meet deadlines, and strengthen their organizational capacity.

I am especially proud that much of my work supports organizations and leaders whose ideas and communities have historically been under-resourced. Sometimes an organization does not need another full-time employee. They need experienced capacity at the right moment. Marva Smith Consulting helps fill that gap.

Ultimately, my business is about helping good people doing good work become stronger, more organized, better resourced, and better positioned to accomplish their mission.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am always interested in connecting with people and organizations doing meaningful work.

The best way to work with Marva Smith Consulting is to reach out when you have a vision, project, organizational challenge, or opportunity and need experienced support to help move it forward. I work with nonprofits, small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, community-based organizations, and emerging initiatives through project-based consulting, ongoing consulting relationships, and strategic partnerships.

I also welcome collaboration with other consultants, grant writers, creatives, accountants, communications professionals, community organizations, government agencies, foundations, and businesses. I believe strongly in collaboration and in bringing the right people to the table rather than trying to be everything to everyone.

People can also support my work through referrals. If you know an organization or leader doing great work who needs help strengthening their infrastructure, developing a program, finding funding, managing a project, or simply figuring out what comes next, send them my way.

I also invite people to support one of my passion projects, the Compton Cultural Arts District. Through my work with The Compton Arts Project, I am helping advance a community-centered vision for a formally recognized cultural arts district that celebrates Compton’s artists, history, creativity, and global cultural influence while creating new opportunities for artists, creative businesses, residents, and future generations. We welcome advocates, partners, funders, artists, businesses, and others who believe that arts and culture should be part of Compton’s future.

Some of my best work begins with a conversation: “Marva, we have this idea. How do we make it happen?” Those are exactly the conversations I enjoy.

Pricing:

• Free Discovery Consultation via Zoom
• Project-Based Consulting Available
• Monthly Consulting & Support Packages Available
• Customized Proposals Based on Scope & Organizational Needs
• Limited Reduced-Fee Services Available for Qualifying Community-Based

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marvasmithconsulting.com