Mark Smith, not just a seasoned business consultant, experienced litigation funder but also a long-term storyteller whose compelling narratives captivate and entertain.With a Juris Doctor from the University of Sydney and an MBA, Mark combines legal knowledge with sharp business acumen. His experience spans finance, insolvency, construction, and more, enriching his tales with real-world insights. Mark has seen up close some breathtaking frauds and complex insolvencies .... he's seen it all, nothing surprises him.His blogs and YouTube channel, established in 2018, draw 1,000-2,000 daily visitors, each eager for his unique blend of business wisdom, information and engaging storytelling.To discuss your own story / submit it to our waitlist, receive practical business advice, innovative solutions, or to simply hear a good story, connect with Mark. Stay updated with Mark’s latest stories and business tips on social media.

We have expertise in problem solving, taxation structuring, case management, strategic planning, dispute resolution and commercial documentation requirements experienced in business today.

Development Consortium Partners, the engine which has developed an ongoing series of infrastructure and development projects through which Mark Smith has undertaken, operated, held and/or incubated development and consortium transactions and day to day activities - including:  Prepare documentation for Development Consortium Partners funding requirements. Major land development concept plan development and referral to Australian Consortium Partners. Development Zone - Economic Development Programme including:◦ Sea Claim.◦ Land Claim.◦ Airport upgrade, Wharf and cool-stores upgrade.◦ Asean/East Asia Seafood market development project. Public/Private Hospital Development, Indonesia. Hotel developments for high end family, Indonesia.◦ Development of existing royal land holdings for hotel/villa projects, Indonesia.◦ Development of future hotel/villa projects. Wastewater Authority PPP proposed JV project over an area with a population of 3,500,000, expected to grow to circa 7,500,000. The scope of the project envisages further capital expenditure.  NSW Rural land fund/export market development project.  Parkes development concept plan for 3200ha industrial/commercial masterplan and referral to PTLC & Obayashi. Wahroonga development concept plan for 60ha / 3800 unit mixed use residential, hospital and educational precinct and referral to Kell & Rigby.

Business loans.

Key Highlights:- Airbnb Ambassador: As an Airbnb Ambassador, I've had the privilege of representing the platform and sharing my insights with hosts and guests. I'm committed to fostering a sense of community and elevating the Airbnb experience.- Super Host Excellence: Achieving Super Host status on Airbnb reflects my unwavering commitment to providing top-tier accommodations and service. This recognition highlights my dedication to guest satisfaction.- Community Leadership: Serving as an Airbnb Community Leader in Western Sydney & Central West NSW has allowed me to connect with hosts and guests on a local level. I've been actively involved in organizing events, sharing best practices, and building a strong Airbnb community.- Snowgums Property Services: As the owner of Snowgums Property Services (formerly known as MEAS Central Services), I've overseen the management and maintenance of a diverse portfolio of properties. My team and I ensure that every property is well-maintained and offers a delightful stay for guests.- Infigo Stays: I founded Infigo Stays to provide unique and memorable accommodations for travelers. Through Infigo Stays, I've curated a selection of properties that offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience.- Snowgums BNB Management: I operate and manage multiple Airbnb listings and serviced apartments under the Snowgums BNB Management umbrella. My team and I focus on optimizing occupancy rates, guest satisfaction, and property performance.- Consultant at BnBHostSupport.com: at BnBHostSupport.com, I offer guidance and support to fellow hosts and property managers. I leverage my expertise to help others succeed in the competitive world of short-term rentals.

Snowgums Group is establishing several world class businesses:www.snowgumsagribusiness.com - providing financial advisory and other practical business services to the business community of the Central West of NSW surrounding Orange. www.snowgumsretreat.com - a relaxing facility and venue in a glorious mountain setting surrounded by vineyards and fruiting orchards.www.snowgumsevents.com - making the most of our Snowgums Retreat facility near Orange, NSW to host world class rustic events and weddings.

Our services include business restructuring, asset protection, managing collections, dispute resolution, arranging finance, completing forms, restructuring partnerships, avoiding bankruptcy, payment arrangements with creditors, reducing costs, maximizing government grants, issues management planning, stakeholder management, vendor due diligence, project structuring, commercial arrangements, project funding, development management, project management, site disposal, project office management, and case management.

The JD is widely recognised in Australia, the United States, Canada, Asia and Latin America as a postgraduate professional-entry law degree building pathways to international and transnational careers.The Sydney JD features a strong global focus on international, comparative and transnational aspects of law which is unique in Australia. The JD includes all the core subjects for admission to practice in Australia but will also require students to study Public and Private International Law, aiming to equip lawyers for the globalised legal environment of the 21st century so that they can move with confidence across national boundaries when providing legal advice.What is the difference between the JD and undergraduate LLB?Both degrees include the subjects required for practice and both have an international focus. However, the JD is taught at a postgraduate level and as a single degree, compared with the LLB that must be studied in combination with another undergraduate degree over five or six years.The primary advantages of the JD are its global focus and recognition internationally as a postgraduate professional law degree.

Mark Smith, through Export Advisory provided advice on a range of export readiness issues such as:- Entering a new market for growth, e.g. adding Hong Kong, China and Singapore to an existing domestic market.- Product / service refinement to suit export market tastes and needs.- Branding and positioning, to fit market niche.- Product testing.- Trade shows.- Network building.- Market representation needs.- Market entry / Modern Trade requirement advisory.- Supply chain issues.- Accessing government programmes, i.e. EMDG, Matrade & Spring Singapore etc.- Export labelling and packaging.- Introductions to our offshore network.- Existing systems - advising on their adequacy for growth and implementing advanced solutions.- Financial preparedness including managing currency risk, hedging etc.- Banking products and service advisory.- Getting paid, trade documentation and risk minimisation.- Halal readiness.- Accounting advisory introductions.- Establishing branch offices - i.e. Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, China, Clarke Freeport/Philippines, Kuala Lumpur etc - with key introductions, connections and know-how.- Freight forwarding, customs, clearances, etc.- Visa requirements / APEC cards, business visas, etc.- Cross border jurisdictional and trade matters.- Free Trade Agreement - benefits and competitive advantage available in some circumstances.- much more.

My personal development claim - $60m + damages claim against a large bank and government instrumentality arising from Collateral Abuse of Process committed against myself and my company.Assemble documentation history, brief and retain lawyers to advise myself who prepared briefs and filed documents.Preparing a diary/manuscript of my experiences with the defendants for publication, prepare issue management plan.

Company director overseeing Australian beef and lamb export, Singapore & Thai import and supply.

Food import, export and trade to/from Singapore, Sydney and Asean region.With operations in Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney (and originally Young in NSW) in different capacities including Sponsor, Project Director, Brand Manager, Territory Manager (Asia Pacific FMCG / Modern Trade) & National Business Manager-Coles & Metcash/IGA, I led day to day operations of a FMCG import export business' transition a much larger, commercially oriented cross-border export focused brand. • Expanded distribution arrangements as National Business Manager-Coles from 80 stores to 460 stores.* Managed ongoing sales and business development with some 200+ Metcash/IGA stores in NSW & ACT.• Expanded distributions, exporting from Australia to Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Bali, PNG, Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, the Maldives, Fiji, and Malaysia.• New product development – introduced brand extensions to maximize the company’s investment in supply chain and distribution.• Added new brands in related product categories to meet the needs of particularly foodservice clientele.• Led and managed re-packaging/range simplifications projects.• Re-branding/re-positioning “mum and dad” business to cross-border modern and relevant branding.• Secured food import licenses in Thailand and Singapore for purchase, import and distribution business.• I acted with local staff as Regional Brand Manager & Territory Manage with responsibility for channel sales to key clients:• NTUC – Singapore• Cold Storage & Giant – Malaysia• Central Retail – Thailand• Wellcome – Hong Kong• Key foodservice groups – Thai Airways, Dnata Singapore, Cathay Pacific Catering and others. • Secured Indonesia JV for food import to Indonesia & Philippines for purchase, import and distribution business.

Establish contracts with land owners and State Forests, NSW.Cypress Pine Timber Exports - Australia to China.Cypress Pine Timber Exports - Australia to Taiwan.

Achievements:- Consolidated 13 properties into a 2,500ha multi-purpose industrial, airport, and residential precinct. - Increased land value from $8 million to $82 million with planning approvals and support from Ernst & Young. - Secured lease agreements for over 1100ha of land. - Successfully engaged with public stakeholders and key political figures. Responsibilities: - Managed project feasibility, site acquisition, lease negotiations, and project delivery. - Developed business plans and implemented strategies. - Established authority and operations agreements. - Oversaw project team responsible for project delivery, safety compliance, cash flow, and issue management.

Achievements - Stage 2: Appointment of survey team including aerial surveying and photo-orthorectification, production of vectarised cadastral site maps 3200ha, survey control points over 12,000ha approx.◦ Production of detailed site plans and contour maps. Development of project concept land-use masterplan. Briefing and engagement of consultant team including:◦ Statutory Planning◦ Water & Drainage◦ Aboriginal Heritage◦ Flora/Fauna studies◦ Visual Impact studies◦ Services◦ Community Consultation process, Etc. Finalisation of land-use masterplan for DA.◦ 3 concessional allotments.◦ 68-lot commercial/industrial subdivision (stage 1), 47-lots (stage 2), 19-lots stage (3).◦ 92-lot rural/residential precinct.◦ 9.5ha Commercial/Retail Leisure precinct (for further subdivision).◦ 8.4ha Tourist/Conference and Accommodation precinct (for further subdivision).◦ 12.2ha Student Accommodation Precinct.◦ 20.3ha TAFE Aviation and Logistics/Private College precinct.◦ 13.6ha Development Head Office Gateway site.◦ 35ha Single User Airside Industrial Site.◦ Highway deviation and corridor with BAL-BAR emergency detour road. Submission of DA:◦ 3 concessional allotments◦ 68 lot commercial/industrial subdivision Preparation of appeal to Land & Environment Court upon deemed refusal.◦ Lead negotiations of DA through Land & Environment Court Mediation process to secure staged DA.

 Consulted to this leading supplier of bank valuation and due diligence services on a range of development projects. Advice given included across retail, industrial and land-banking sectors consulting with leading institutions, developers, investors, retail users, owners and property end-users.

New Business opportunities for the construction group and Project Management/Development Management tasks for its Technical Property Services division.Achievements: Secured mandate, Project Directed major urban renewal project for client:  Prepare Issues Management Plan. 3800-4400 unit residential development. Development Master plan envisaged 60ha urban development site, proposed:◦ End value, $500m++.◦ 3800-4400 unit residential units.◦ Mixed-use retirement living/aged care-health care, hospital.◦ School Relocation, K-12. As Project Director I led a multi-disciplined consultant team in the development of the projects feasibility and project concept. Master planning of a 60ha major urban legacy development site. The site had complex traffic and bushfire management potential constraints.

Key Account Manager - Industrial, Newcastle.Project managed the delivery of ongoing and ad-hoc facilities management, personnel, engineering and environmental management projects and services. Key accounts assigned to me included: Rio Tinto (Port Waratah Coal Loader). BHP. Pechiney/Tomago Aluminium. Energy Australia. Hunter Water. Newcastle Port Corporation. Honeysuckle Development Corporation. Smorgan Steel. Incitec Ltd Fertilisers (Orica Explosives). Lend Lease (GPT Shopping Centre division). Cargill Foods – meat processing division and oil seed processing division. Dairy Farmers Co-op. Hunter Area Health Services. TAFE NSW. University of Newcastle.Achievements: Developed project team from 0 to 60+ direct reports. Establish 9 (implant) sites / projects.  Recruited in excess of 100 employees myself, mostly of a technical or skilled nature.  Branch Manager.

Sales ManagerAchievements: Implemented sales management plan, doubling market share within 15 months. Designed and approved advertising copy, prepared press releases, marketing handouts and material, direct mail campaigns.

Property Consultant, Residential.

Air NSW, Williamtown (NTL) Airport, Newcastle.

Senior Travel Consultant. Gained experience in foreign currency exchange Customer service Airport operations / Airside safety / High volume traffic movements Responsible for emergency after hours card replacement (not responsible for replacement of lost or stolen travellers cheques) Consulted on domestic and international travel solutions Worked in corporate travel salesAchievements: Highest Sales/Profit across company network (10 offices). Airport Operations, Newcastle Airport (Ansett Airlines division).  Multiple finalist in Australian Federation of Travel Agents (“AFTA”) Awards for Excellence.