Chamber Spotlight: Zoie Smith, Charlottesville Office of Economic Development

What does your organization do?
The Minority Business Program is designed to promote the startup, growth and expansion of minority- and woman-owned businesses in the City.

Additionally, the program is focused on increasing the number of minority- and woman-owned businesses that are registered vendors with the City and to encourage more City spending with such businesses. This will be done by developing individuals/start-ups and existing businesses that need assistance growing their business to the point that they are ready to sell their products and/or services to the City of Charlottesville.

What was your first job?
My first real job was with the City of Charlottesville! I was a summer intern with Charlottesville Area Transit during my college years.

How did you choose the field you're in?
I would say the field chose me. I studied Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Sociology at Old Dominion University and I had no idea how much it would relate to business and workforce development.

What is unique about your organization and the work you do in our community?
I am the first Minority Business Development Coordinator and it gives me the opportunity to be creative.

What is something about you that most people don't know?
I don't eat cheese. I don't eat pizza, cheeseburgers, lasagna, mac 'n cheese, or anything like that.

What's your favorite local activity or place to go?
If the weather is nice, you can almost always find me walking the Monticello Trail.

What do you like about being a Chamber member?
The Chamber has allowed me to participate in Leadership Charlottesville and meet interesting people who I would never have met anywhere else.