C-Suite: Cameron Smith

Achievements: Smith launched his executive search firm 25 years ago, credited with building customer teams for hundreds of Walmart supplier offices in Northwest Arkansas and filling thousands of high-paying jobs. He is a current member of numerous boards, including Signature Bank of Arkansas and the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? There are so many deserving nonprofits that it would be impossible to single out one. I have personally had some serious health issues: throat cancer and quadruple bypass surgery. I know I would want to support organizations that were there for me.

What is the best business advice you’ve received? Strive for excellence and act with integrity. Be decisive.

What is the best business advice you have given? For aspiring entrepreneurs my advice would be, you can plan and strategize all day long, but where the rubber meets the road is in the execution. For career advice, manage your career like you would manage your business. Remember, you are CEO of you.

What keeps you up at night or worries you the most? Some days my office is like [the ABC reality TV show] “Shark Tank.” So I think about making the right choices with regard to opportunities.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Northwest Arkansas for a business lunch? Komodo in Rogers.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you be doing? Drum roll please. Standup comedian.

What’s the first website/app you launch on your smartphone each day? I scroll through several news feed apps while I sip my coffee.

What is your “why?” Why do you get up in the morning, and what keeps you motivated? I am passionate about making a difference by impacting careers. Personally, I feel a sense of responsibility to my family and work family. There are a lot of people depending on me.

In one sentence, can you express the most important thing about being a leader? An ethical leader demonstrates integrity and character by actions, not by words.