Lehigh Valley Elite Network Special Guest Presenter: Brett Smith - Director of the Lehigh University SBDC on August 27, (11-1) at Texas Roadhouse
Brett Smith: Helping Entrepreneurs Turn Ideas Into Sustainable Businesses.
Special Guest Presenter — Lehigh Valley Elite Network
Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Texas Roadhouse Easton | 4463 Southmont Way, Easton, PA 18045
The Lehigh Valley Elite Network is proud to welcome Brett Smith, Director of the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), as one of our special guest presenters for our August 27 Business Networking Event.
Behind every successful business is an idea—but transforming that idea into a sustainable, growing company requires knowledge, resources, relationships, and the ability to make good decisions as circumstances change.
For more than four decades, the Lehigh University Small Business Development Center has helped entrepreneurs throughout our region navigate that journey.
More Than 45 Years Supporting Entrepreneurship
The Lehigh University SBDC traces its beginning to a pilot program launched in 1979, when the federal government and higher education community recognized the growing need to provide technical assistance to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Lehigh officially became an SBDC in 1980, becoming one of the first six centers in the Pennsylvania SBDC network. More than 45 years later, its mission remains centered on helping entrepreneurs start, operate, strengthen, and grow their businesses.
As part of Lehigh University's College of Business, the SBDC also creates opportunities for businesses to interact with Lehigh students and faculty, combining the resources of a major university with practical, real-world entrepreneurship.
Resources Many Business Owners Don't Know Exist
One of the most valuable aspects of the Lehigh University SBDC is the breadth of expertise available under one organization.
The center specializes in confidential, one-on-one business consulting, allowing entrepreneurs to work privately with experienced consultants on the challenges and opportunities facing their businesses.
The SBDC also offers group consulting, workshops, training programs, on-demand resources, and learning modules for entrepreneurs who prefer different ways of learning and developing their businesses. Its capabilities extend far beyond traditional startup assistance.
The Lehigh SBDC helps businesses explore opportunities to sell products and services to government agencies through procurement assistance while also helping Pennsylvania businesses identify opportunities to expand internationally and compete in global markets.
Lehigh's combination of these capabilities makes the center particularly valuable. Services that might otherwise require a business owner to work with several different organizations can be accessed through one regional resource.
Meet Director Brett Smith
Brett Smith has been with the Lehigh University SBDC since 2014 and became its Director in 2019. Before becoming Director, Brett served as Associate Director, coordinated the Lehigh Export Network (LEXNET), and worked with the Southeast Pennsylvania Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
His professional and academic background reflects the increasingly global environment in which today's businesses operate.
Brett earned his MBA in International Business from Lehigh University and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Studies and Economics from the University of Richmond. His international studies included time in Mexico, Chile, and Argentina.
He is also a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) and a member of the statewide Pennsylvania SBDC International Trade team.
Brett is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Public Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, further expanding his expertise at the intersection of business, government, economic development, and public policy.
His involvement throughout the Lehigh Valley extends beyond the university. Brett serves on committees and initiatives involving the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Workforce Development Board, LV Meet the Buyers, and SkillsUSA Elmer Gates Enterprise Awards.
Connecting Entrepreneurs With Opportunity
What makes Brett's perspective particularly valuable to our audience is his experience working directly with entrepreneurs at many different stages of development. Some people have an idea but aren't sure how to turn it into a business. Others have successfully launched but are struggling with growth.
Established companies may be looking for new markets, government contracts, international opportunities, better systems, financing strategies, or simply an experienced outside perspective.
The challenges change as a company grows. Having access to knowledgeable people who understand those different stages can help an entrepreneur ask better questions, identify resources they didn't know existed, and make more informed decisions.
That's exactly the kind of practical knowledge we want to bring to the Lehigh Valley Elite Network.
