Our Team
Amy Swift-Crosby, Founder and Los Angeles Course Leader
Amy is entrepreneurship-obsessed. Her background as a copywriter over the last 10 years has lent itself to helping small businesses find their voice and niche in the marketplace and big businesses sell mega products and services. She’s worked with Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior, Bath & Body Works, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Coty Fragrances, MGM/MIRAGE, Mandarin Oriental, L’Occitaine to name a few.
As a small business expert, Amy has helped launch thousands of businesses and ideas. Prior to SMARTY she was editor-in- chief of Ladies Who Launch, co-author of Ladies Who Launch, Creativity and Entrepreneurship As A Lifestyle, and the co-developer of the Ladies Who Launch Incubator program. She was the founder of the Los Angeles and Orange County Incubator communities which grew to several hundred women in four years. Amy has also been a contributing editor for Contents Magazine and has been a contributor to New York Magazine, Cooleh, and Magazine 365 among others. Lucky Magazine calls her a “Madison Avenue arbiter of Style.”
Amy founded SMARTY in order to give freelancers, women business owners, and entrepreneurs an engaging and authentic space to connect, partner and grow. A former New Yorker, she saw an opportunity in Southern California to merge many industries such as fashion, beauty, design, manufacturing, food, fitness, art and many others in order to offer networking and education under one roof. Although SMARTY has an online community, it is the events and workshops that create sustained, meaningful relationships.
Amy has been featured and called upon as an expert for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Fox News, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, MarthaStewart.com, and throughout the blogosphere.
Learn more about Amy and SMARTY behind the scenes »
Follow Amy on Twitter @SMARTYAmy
Whitney Roberts, Director of Business Development and Los Angeles Course Leader
Whitney Roberts is a seasoned launcher and recovering attorney. After three creatively stifling years in corporate America, Whitney jumped ship at the age of 27 to start her first business, The Bar Code, a test preparation company for law students and lawyers. Five years (and buckets of blood, sweat and tears later), she launched straight into semi-retirement, thanks to the license of her company’s unique methodology and the bar exam study aid she authored.
Whitney also spent three years as the Sacramento Incubator Leader of Ladies Who Launch, where she helped countless women learn to break free from the norm and become their own boss. She is now aiding and abetting Los Angeles women in their entrepreneurial endeavors as a Course Leader for SMARTY.
To reach Whitney Roberts directly, click here.
Jessica Bennett, Leader, Orange Country Market
Combining her lifelong passions of interior design and small business, Jessica Pakzad Bennett is having the time of her life as Orange County SMARTY leader and principal of her own design firm, Jessica Bennett Interiors. Always creating small business ventures as a child and teenager, it was a natural fit when she attended University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, with an emphasis in, you guessed it, Entrepreneurship. Growing up, Jessica went EVERYWHERE with her parents, famed designer-builders Fari and Melinda Pakzad, and undoubtedly knew one day she would follow in their designing footsteps. Under their thoughtful tutelage, Jessica worked at family-owned, Ebanista, a nationwide chain of high-end to-the-trade home furnishings showrooms, fulfilling small jobs throughout college and then ultimately taking over as their Business and Operations Manager, where she resided for four years. Now as founder and principal designer at Jessica Bennett Interiors, Jessica excels at maximizing the potential hidden in each of her client’s homes and delivering designs that are fresh yet timeless, livable yet tailored, and above-all, completely authentic to the client who has trusted her with their most personal space. With an enthusiasm for entrepreneurship that is completely contagious, Jessica is thrilled to take on the role of SMARTY leader, always there to encourage, support, and inspire her fellow female entrepreneurs of Orange County.
To reach Jessica directly, click here
Follow Jessica on Twitter @jbinteriorsinc
Eva Chiou, Leader, Orange County Market
Orange County native Eva Chiou has been an entrepreneur since the ripe old age of 26. After working in corporate America for several years, she realized that the cubicle was not the place for her big ideas and out-of-the-box thinking. Since leaving life in a high rise, she’s launched three successful businesses in the wedding industry, all of which have allowed her to meet and collaborate with some of the industry’s top talent. In May of 2010, Eva opened up her first retail shop, The Wedding Pantry. One part bridal boutique one part resource center, the shop gives brides and grooms a place to shop, learn more about the wedding planning process, assist with planning needs and meet wedding vendors. The boutique also allows vendors to connect with brides and grooms as well as others in the industry. Eva brings leadership, event planning and a passion for entrepreneurship to her role as the Orange County head SMARTY.
To reach Eva directly, click here.
Follow Eva on Twitter @SMARTYEva
Cassie Piasecki, Leader at Large, Orange County Market
Native So-Cal serial entrepreneur Cassie Piasecki comes to the SMARTY team with a consecutive string of “hits” under her belt. Cassie started young with a beach-inspired clothing store at only 18-years old. Her interest in health and well-being inspired her to become a fitness instructor and personal trainer and start her own fitness apparel store soon after. The birth of her daughter and vision of her family’s future led her to convince her doc husband that he could be an entrepreneur too. So they opened his orthopedic medical practice, where Cassie has honed her skills in the art of financing equipment, managing doctors, and working with insurance companies. She followed this up with now famous The Nail Lounge, Orange County’s only award winning nail salon, and Shoparazzi, a web-based business selling celebrity inspired shopping maps of Los Angeles. Cassie is thrilled to be part of SMARTY where she loves rolling up her sleeves and bringing her double-decade-long career in business to women entrepreneurs.
To reach Cassie directly, click here.
Follow Cassie on Twitter @SMARTYCassie
Elise Muhawi, Leader, San Diego Market
Elise grew up with an entrepreneurial spirit streaming through her blood. As the daughter of a serial entrepreneur, Elise knew at an early age that regardless of whatever career path she choose, she would always fully immerse herself into the world of entrepreneurs and all that it involves.
With extensive experience in sales, marketing, and community outreach, Elise has been able to take her passion for entrepreneurship and apply it to the positions she has held with some of San Diego’s most well known organizations including Xerox, California State University, San Marcos, and now Datron World Communications where she serves as a Programs and Operations Administrator coordinating and managing various projects for the companies Operations and Advanced Technologies Groups.
Elise most enjoys staying connected and involved with the community. She serves as the creator and President of the Alumni Association for the College of Business at Cal State San Marcos, and active Alum of Alpha Kappa Psi, The Professional Business Fraternity, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a volunteer for Volunteer San Diego. She looks forward to co-leading SMARTY SD and to the many possibilities that will come with connecting fabulous entrepreneurial women and women-in-business in San Diego!
To reach Elise directly, click here.
Priscilla Wood , Leader, San Diego Market
With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an extensive background in marketing and public relations, Priscilla has consulted for corporate and non-profit organizations. Working with some of the country’s top executives, Senators and dignitaries, she has been a key driver in helping orchestrate numerous high-profile events around the country including locations such as the United States Capital Building of Congress, Walter Reed Medical Center, and the White House.
A natural connector, Priscilla has a knack for building and sustaining long-term relationships. In her evolving role at Prudential California Realty in Rancho Santa Fe, Priscilla continues to pursue her entrepreneurial passions by linking her clients with the right buyer/seller, for the right property, at just the right investment. Priscilla is thrilled to join the SMARTY team and apply her education, skills and professional experience to effectively co-lead the San Diego division of SMARTY. She is dedicated to connecting innovative and exceptional women in San Diego County and assisting women in their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
As an advocate for community involvement, Priscilla is a member of the local chamber of commerce, serves as a volunteer for Casa De Amparo, and sits on the Alumni Board of Directors for the College of Business Administration at California State University San Marcos. Priscilla could not be more excited to bring SMARTY to the women-in-business of San Diego!
To reach Priscilla directly, click here
Follow Priscilla on Twitter @SMARTYPriscilla
Karie Reynolds, Pasadena and Hollywood Course Leader
For more than a decade, Karie Reynolds has used her finely-honed experience in public relations and marketing to help take businesses to their next level. A savvy communications strategist with a natural ability to understand the big picture and translate that into an on-target, strategic approach, Karie works closely with her clients to develop key messaging, identify sales opportunities and execute integrated communications strategy to move their business forward. Specializing in reaching women and families, her entrepreneurial thinking and partnership-based approach has earned Karie her reputation as a trusted professional and an expert consultant.
Karie’s experience spans large companies, start-ups and non-profits. In 2006, she co-founded Grand Avenue Baby to offer companies an integrated, strategic approach to celebrity outreach and media relations. Now a trusted resource for celebrities, tastemakers and media, Grand Avenue Baby brings together a unique, handpicked selection of products for children and families.
In order to return to the direct client collaboration she prizes most, Karie launched Reynolds Communications in January 2011. She has worked with dozens of women and small business owners and is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm for building businesses to SMARTY.
To reach Karie directly, click here.
Follow Karie on Twitter @Karie_Reynolds
Alissa White, Los Angeles Course Leader
After receiving her master’s degree from NYU, Alissa White spent ten years running her own boutique web design firm in New York City. In 2006, she decided to shift her business focus entirely. Alissa launched, Matcha Source LLC an online retailer of premium Matcha green tea. As an entrepreneur, Alissa has successfully brought matcha tea, Japan’s most sought-after product, to tea lovers everywhere in the United States. As a humanitarian, Alissa has found her own unique way to give back. She is proud to educate American consumers how to live healthy, more balanced and focused lives through matcha tea, which is renowned for its extraordinarily potent health benefits. Alissa showcased the unique product in New York City last summer utilizing an innovative “Matcha Box Pop-Up Store,” where she refreshed the masses with matcha green tea iced lattes. She currently continues to run her ever-expanding business in Los Angeles where she services retailers, food establishments, individuals and taste-forward kitchens throughout the United States and beyond.
To reach Alissa directly, click here.
Follow Alissa on Twitter @MatchaSource
Natasha Sunshine, Los Angeles Course Leader
Natasha Sunshine is an entrepreneur, educator and hairstylist to the stars. As Founder of Santa Monica’s premiere hair boutique, Byu-ti Salon (pronounced Beauty), Natasha has run her fingers through some of Hollywood’s most notable manes, including that of Ivanka Trump, Molly Sims and Eva Herzigova.
Known in the Los Angeles and New York City fashion circles for her keen sense of style and unique approach to hair therapy, Natasha not only created a six-step consulting system for helping her staff identify and meet her client’s needs, she has also developed her own seven different hair care products, to supplement the line of top notch goodies already in use at her salon.
When Natasha is not helping people feel fabulous from the inside out, or making herself camera-ready for a television appearance (most recently, The Rachel Ray Show), she is encouraging business owners to maximize their entrepreneurial potential at SMARTY.
To reach Natasha directly, click here.
Follow Natasha on Twitter @BYUTISALON
Elena Schuber, Member Management
Elena’s day job is making sure you are having a good experience with SMARTY by taking care of the back end of your benefits. Outside of her administrative responsibilities with SMARTY, she’s working on a career in acting, schlepping around town from audition to audition, booking the occasional gig.
Diana Hutchins, Events and Special Projects Coordinator
This former Michigander is a small town girl with big city dreams. Diana’s creative background in design and production is what landed her at SMARTY. Her dedication and attention to detail are what makes SMARTY events so fabulous. She is an aspiring entrepreneur and looks forward to growing with SMARTY and learning from the arsenal of experience and expertise of the community.
Megan Connor, Strategic Outreach
Megan is a recent transplant from Boston. Her knack for building long term relationships and love for all things entrepreneurial is how she found her way to SMARTY. With a background in finance, sales and marketing she decided it was time to start calling the shots for herself. Although she is not a veteran entrepreneur, it’s only a matter of time before this smart cookie makes it big on her own. Her personality, charisma and ambition is what we love about her. Megan’s role is to build the brand of SMARTY while building relationships within the network.
