By D’Andrea Willis, NDG Contributing Writer
If you had an idea out of the realm of traditionally methods, would you act on it? Kobe Lewis did.
Lewis is founder and CEO of SmartWay Ads; a Dallas based firm offering indoor digital marketing for clients. SmartWay offers placement in locations with a high rate of foot traffic to ensure maximum reach of the client’s target audience.
He is not new to the business world; Lewis has run many businesses ranging from clothing stores to LED billboard rentals. He created the concept of SmartWay Ads with the best interest of small businesses in mind.
Lewis was born into a family of engineers in the West African country Gambia. He was expected to follow the same career path and he did give engineering an honest try. However, Lewis decided to take a stab at marketing and business, which seemed to peak his interest more. His next big decision was to build his own empire from the ground up.
While Lewis was steadily running his business selling LED billboards on highways, he had a light bulb moment, “Moving these digital billboards indoors would be more beneficial, versus going 80 mph and hardly being able to see what’s being advertised”, Lewis shared. This idea was the birth of SmartWay Ads.
The logic was simple to Lewis, “How many times have you been listening to the radio and when a commercial comes on, you change the station? Or taking a sandwich break as soon as the ads come on while you’re watching TV? SmartWay Ads makes people look, it’s innovative, creative, and you will receive the attention you want for your business.
But it was not easy, he found his work was cut out for him as he tackled the task of building this business from the ground up.
According to Lewis, if there’s one factor that he can attribute his success it is networking. There’s a new spin on the old saying that goes “It’s not who you know, it’s what who you know… knows.” In Lewis’s case, his contacts knew a lot that would eventually benefit him.
He is a firm believer in helping other business owners. He has hosted various networking events with featuring individuals from various industries. His most recent networking event featured individuals representing a range of fields from financial planners to massage therapists. Lewis says this is his way to contribute to the success of other businesses.
Lewis has also started a group with personal acquaintances that are business owners as well. Every two weeks, this group participates in a MasterMind meeting, during which they collaborate, share tips, advice, and ideas together.
“I’m not making any money, but it’s beautiful to see this group get each other going. You can see noticeable growth in these companies. It’s a really good feeling,” Lewis shared.
Lewis has visions that reach beyond his business. He plans on starting a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching people life skills.
“I have nothing against our education system, I just feel that there are things that you’re not taught how to do that are necessary for life.” He plans on having lessons featuring the importance of credit, financial planning, and motivational speakers giving seminars on making it through the trials of life.
“I want to teach kids that there are many ways to be successful other than going pro in sports or selling drugs”, Lewis says.
“It’s important to show thanks to those who have helped,” so Lewis also has a vision to develop a program recognizing those contributing to the community.
Lewis has learned many things from developing his own business. However, there is one idea that sticks out as an important lesson to remember: if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.
“I have learned how to read people; you have to understand who truly has your best interest at heart. People will say that they will help you, but when it comes down to it, you have to do all of the hard work yourself.”
According to Lewis, his digital advertising empire is on its way. He has a short-term goal to be known across Texas as the leading provider in digital advertising and a long-term goal of global expansion of SmartWay Ads and its brand. He hosted his Dallas launch event on March 29 at Buttons Café in Addison. Now, he is currently working on his next domain of placing digital advertising in hotel elevators.
In a nutshell, Lewis markets his digital advertisements as the best way to give a brand the attention it needs. With the natural intrigue that SmartWay Ads gives, the consumer will look twice at the advertised brand.
As a plus, the rate Lewis offers for SmartWay ads is substantially lower than his competitors. He offers a monthly rate of $99 for his services, which also include social media blasts. According to Lewis, this is a steal in comparison to his competitors whose rates are exponentially higher than his.
For more information visit SmartWayAds.com.
