After 12 years in digital media working with major brands, Stefanie Beach encountered a common industry challenge: balancing career momentum with family life. Seeking a better work-life balance, she transformed this personal dilemma into an innovative business solution, founding SMB Media Consulting in 2018. What began as a personal quest quickly evolved into a thriving company offering on-demand media solutions to emerging businesses, brands, and agencies. This unique model addresses the industry’s pressing need for flexible digital marketing support amidst the ever-changing digital landscape and performance pressures. Leveraging her extensive experience, she attracted seasoned professionals who shared her vision, building a team that seamlessly integrates with clients’ existing structures. SMB Media Consulting’s success is evident in its impressive client roster, including IBM Watson, Apple, The Home Depot, and Foreign Affairs, as well as its rapid growth (ranking 377 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list). Stefanie’s achievements have also earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 Enterprising Women of the Year Award – all while achieving her initial goal of greater presence with her daughter.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I am a native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx. I grew up with my mother and younger brother. We enjoyed playing video games and being outside with our friends. In high school, I wrote for my school paper and thought I wanted to be a journalist. Once I started college, I learned that journalism was a hard path and was introduced to advertising. Really enjoying this aspect of communications, I majored in Advertising and minored in Marketing.
During the second half of my senior year, I landed an internship at a traditional agency, working in their “internet” department. That is where I realized digital was the future. After six months as an intern and six months working full-time, I left to join a digitally focused agency. This role taught me everything I needed to know about media, client communication, managing people, strategy, analytics, and how to build partnerships and trust with clients.
From there, I moved into AdTech, working for an ad server and managing a small team. After two years, real-time bidding (RTB) was making a big splash in our industry, so I took a leap of faith and joined a startup called MediaMath. This was the best decision of my career. I learned so much and was surrounded by incredibly smart people, innovative technology, and strong leadership.
Four years later, MediaMath had grown significantly and moved into 4 World Trade Center. It was too emotional for me to be down there every day, so I left and went to PubMatic to learn a new side of the business, working with publishers. Both MediaMath and PubMatic were crucial stepping stones that allowed me to grow, build a network, gain industry knowledge, and truly develop into the professional I wanted to be.
After getting caught in a round of layoffs, I took time off to help my daughter transition to preschool and figure out my next step. Pre-pandemic, I wanted more flexibility to be a more present parent in my child’s life. After interviewing for over a year and turning down three jobs, I decided to consult full-time and start my own company.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say ‘YES, go for it!’?
I wanted to give businesses the opportunity to grow with digital media/advertising without the black box or high cost of a traditional agency. I wanted to provide stellar expertise, service, and knowledge to empower other business owners to lead the charge in growth and hitting their revenue goals.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would love to see more women supporting and lifting each other up. There is plenty of success to go around, and we already have to fight for so much. Why should we compete or put each other down? Give back, help each other, and support one another.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
We need more of it. Women are amazing powerhouses that aren’t celebrated enough. We need more women in leadership, in C-level positions, and as business owners.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and always nurture your network.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
While it isn’t easy, it is worth it! If you have a dream, never give up on it and do what it takes to make it happen. There may be some bumps or adjustments you need to make along the way, and that is okay—but keep going!
