Bret Smith, CEO & Founder
Our final employee spotlight of the series is on our very own CEO and Founder, Bret Smith.
1. WHAT’S YOUR ROLE AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH HIPB2B?
CEO, since the beginning (12+ years ago.)
2. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT HIPB2B?
I love meeting business challenges and watching those who work with me grow.
3. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM WORKING AT HIPB2B?
Trust, transparency, and communication are crucial to being successful.
4. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING?
Hanging out with Will (our VP of Treats), exercising (walking, treadmill, weights), hiking, writing, reading, music, food, some travel.
5. WHAT’S ONE GOOD MEMORY FROM DURING THE PANDEMIC?
The PPP program. 😉
6. WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN A POST-COVID WORLD?
No masks.
7. TOP 5 DESERT ISLAND BOOKS/MOVIES/TV SHOWS/PODCASTS ETC.
This assumes I have connectivity and power? I’d need my streaming news and entertainment channels. Also, our library would have to be moved to this island. A chessboard would also be needed.
8. WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m an introvert. Really! I’ve become “who I am” through the sheer force of will. And a lot of luck. And a lot of support.
9. WHAT IS ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF?
HIPB2B (and my kids). This time next year, my first book.
10. WHAT’S YOUR HIDDEN TALENT?
Good question. I suppose I have a few. Should they be discussed in a blog? Likely not. 😉
11. IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Fly a plane. Two engines. Maybe a parachute and ejection seat also?
12. PC OR MAC? IPHONE OR ANDROID?
PC, Droid.
13. WHAT’S ONE PROJECT YOU’RE WORKING ON, PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?
I’ve authored about 36,000 words (so far) for my first two books. The first one is due out on Amazon in November, and in hardcover during Q4.
14. WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Living somewhere surrounded by like-minded people.
15. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?
The last time I passed that billboard, I figured after taxes and a front-end payout, we’d be talking about $180M. Sounds like a lot of social issues funding to me.
