Sledge Smith is a business development consultant, fractional chief operating officer and chief administrative officer, as well as, seasoned startup advisor with over two decades working on the business side of creative industries. He works with early-stage founders on strategy/operations best practices preparing for their Pre-seed to Series-A fundraising journeys, and in parallel, with veteran C-level leaders of thriving SMBs seeking rainmaking; relationship development and client services management.Key values: Commitment to “lift while you climb” for the benefit and growth of others. Not being the smartest in the room but making sure the people in those rooms, leave smarter. Conscious awareness of the difference between managing things and leading people. Sledge’s experience encompasses working in numerous sectors: Tech, Media, Fashion, Luxury, Arts + Commerce and F&B, and includes multiple cross-functions: chief of staff; head of business development; account supervisor; COO; head of communications, and head of client services.Clients included C-suite decision-makers at Nike Brand Jordan, Sotheby’s, Comcast and Margaritavile. Before launching SLDGMACHINE, Sledge served in the roles of chief of staff; director of business development and as key person across client services for the stealth, high-touch, digital media consultancy Vaudeville Ventures, working with founders Michael Wolfson (co-founder of The Knot; founding Chief Creative Officer of AOL-Time Warner) and Taylor Noguera (managing partner; now COO of 3Pas Studios).