We’re looking forward to introducing you to Denny Smolinski. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Denny, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
One of the things I am most proud of is tied to our recent Inc. 5000 recognition of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies. On the surface it looks like a growth award, but what most people do not see is what is behind it.
In the last four years beBOLD has achieved 100% employee retention with growth and 98% client retention with growth. That is what I am most proud of building.
Awards and rankings are great milestones, but what truly matters to me is that we have built a culture where our team feels valued, supported, and inspired, and where our clients feel like true partners. That type of loyalty and consistency does not happen by accident. It happens because we care and because we have created an environment rooted in trust, collaboration, and balance.
It is not flashy, but it is the foundation of everything we do, and I could not be prouder of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the founder of beBOLD, a full-service Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, and social media management agency built to help brands achieve sustainable growth and profitability. Our focus is on retail and premium beauty brands, where competition is fierce and strategy matters.
The idea for beBOLD came from my own experience working with brands and seeing firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate e-commerce platforms. I wanted to build an agency that did more than manage accounts. I wanted to create a true partnership model, one where clients feel supported, informed, and confident in their growth.
What makes beBOLD unique is that we care just as much about the people as the performance. We are intentional about building a culture where our team can thrive with work-life balance, and that care naturally extends to our clients and partners. When you work with us, you are not just getting strategy and execution, you are gaining a team that treats your brand like it is our own.
At the end of the day, our name says it all. We are here to help brands be bold, take on challenges with confidence, and grow in ways that are sustainable and meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
It started with my parents. They instilled in me the importance of discipline by making sure chores and homework were done before there was any time for play. That foundation of accountability and responsibility shaped how I approached everything that came after.
As I grew older, that work ethic carried over into athletics, where I was blessed with the opportunity to play college basketball. Sports taught me how to balance preparation, perseverance, and teamwork, and it also brought out my natural competitiveness in a healthy and productive way.
While basketball is now in the past, those lessons remain with me every day. I apply the same work ethic, knowledge, leadership, and competitive spirit to leading beBOLD and guiding our team. Just like in sports, success in business is not about one person. It is about how a group comes together, trusts one another, and pushes toward a shared goal.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, earlier this year I challenged my team to raise the bar and push themselves to do even better. What meant the most to me was not just that they listened, but that they fully embraced the challenge. Each person stepped up, held themselves accountable, and supported one another in the process.
The result was incredible. Our clients received deeper, more thoughtful analysis, and our team became even closer and stronger. For me as a leader, it was humbling and inspiring to see how much trust and commitment my team had — not just to me, but to each other. It reminded me that when people truly listen and take action together, the impact is far greater than any one individual could achieve.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of people get it wrong by not truly listening. Too often, assumptions are made before understanding the full story or perspective. That lack of listening creates gaps in communication and connection.
Another place I see it is on social media. Social media can be powerful, but it is often far removed from reality. What you see online is usually a highlight reel, not the truth of everyday life, and it can create unhealthy comparisons or false expectations. It is sad to see how much weight people give to that curated version of reality.
The positive side is that this also creates an opportunity. If you can slow down, listen, and show up authentically, you immediately stand out. Real connections and honest communication will always outlast assumptions and appearances.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am active and able to channel both my mind and body. For me, that happens at the gym, while walking, or out on the golf course. Those are the places where I can quiet the noise and focus on being present.
The gym reminds me of discipline. It is about showing up consistently, even when I do not feel like it, and putting in the work. Walking gives me space to think and reflect, which often leads to clarity in both life and business. Golf challenges my competitiveness and patience at the same time. It is a game that forces me to stay calm under pressure, stay focused shot by shot, and accept that not everything goes as planned.
All of these moments teach me lessons I carry into leadership at beBOLD. Discipline, reflection, and competitiveness are all part of who I am, but when they come together in balance, that is when I feel the most at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bebolddigital.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennysmolinski/
- Twitter: https://x.com/dsmo50
