Alex Smith (born November 6, 1986, Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American entrepreneur, known for his innovative approach to distribution in the industrial sector. He is the co-founder & CEO of 3BG Supply Co., an industrial distributor that has been recognized for revolutionizing the customer purchasing experience through technology and a customer-first mindset.[1]
Alex Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 6, 1986 |
| Education | Indiana University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for |
|
He is also the co-founder of A Better Fort,[2] and co-founder of BAALS Music Festival.[3]
Biography edit
Alex Smith was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he attended Bishop Dwenger High School.[4] Following high school, Smith enrolled in Indiana University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Public Financial Management prior to working as a financial planner at Galecki Financial Management. Smith left financial services and co-founded 3BG Supply Co.[5] In 2014, the company was awarded Emerging Company of the Year and overall Innovators of the Year by Fort Wayne Business Weekly.[6][7]
In 2015, 3BG Supply Co. was nominated for the Tech Innovation of the Year at the Mira Awards, recognizing the company's contribution to technological innovation in Indiana.[8] The same year, 3BG Supply was also honored as a "Business of the Year" Honoree by the Northeast Indiana Business Excellence Awards, further solidifying its reputation in the regional business community.[9]
In 2019, 3BG Supply Co. was named the Regional Business of the Year by Elevate Ventures, an award recognizing the company's positive impact on the community and its significant annual revenue growth and new hires.[10] This accolade highlights Smith's leadership in fostering a successful and impactful business.
In 2021, 3BG Supply Co. achieved national recognition by ranking No. 2124 on the Inc. 5000 list, showcasing the company's substantial growth and innovative approach to industrial maintenance distribution.[11]
Projects edit
The MY CITY Project (HipHop4theCity) edit
In 2012, Smith facilitated a music project entitled,"HipHop4theCity" (aka The MY CITY Project). It was a community driven hip-hop project that involved the collaboration of many local musicians and most notably American rapper, Nyzzy Nyce.[12] This project showcased the region's undiscovered talent while simultaneously bringing awareness to community involvement, the arts, and what young people are able to do for a community's civic pride when they collaborate and work together. Coverage of the project sparked a newly renewed sense of civic pride within the young population of Fort Wayne that attracted the attention of national economic development publications[13] and blogs[14][15] and inspired other civic initiatives such as the annual MY CITY Summit.[16]
Personal life edit
Smith is married to Michaela Smith.[17]
References edit
- ^ Anna Wells (June 5, 2023). "Tech-Enabled, Customer First". Industrial Distribution. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Kelly Lynch (April 8, 2014). "Arts Weekly with A Better Fort". Lynchpin Creative. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Jaclyn Goldborough (July 29, 2014). "A Better Fort Plans a Pair of Block Parties for Downtown Fort Wayne". The News Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Dwenger Times" (PDF). Bishop Dwenger High School. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "BBB Business Review". BBB. November 14, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "Innovative Companies Honored". kpc News. November 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ Claudia Johnson (September 26, 2014). "2014 Innovation Award Category Winners Announced". kpc Media group Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
- ^ "TechPoint Mira Awards Honoring 'The Best of Tech in Indiana'". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "Northeast Indiana Business Excellence Awards". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "2019 Regional Business of the Year: 3BG Supply". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "Inc. 5000 Profile for 3BG Supply Co". Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "HipHop4theCity". Indiana News Center. Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Can a Rap Video Make Fort Wayne Cool?". TheAtlanticCities.com. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Hip Hop Music Video Shows Community's Passion for Fort Wayne". Indiana News Center. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Hip Hop 4 the City". Wane TV. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
Discover Downtown Episode 9 on Wane TV
- ^ "City summit will inspire big ideas, challenge leaders". The Journal Gazette. April 6, 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-01-10. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- ^ Keiara Carr (June 19, 2014). "Inspiration for a Better Fort". Journal Gazette. Archived from the original on February 9, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2014.