The Smiley Leadership and Mentoring Experience

About the Book

The journey of entrepreneurship, small business ownership, and servant leadership isn’t for everyone. Yet, those who are deliberate, strategic, and purposeful in this endeavor can effectively create life change for themselves, their families, their customers, their employees, and their community. The Smiley Leadership and Mentoring Experience for Faith Based Entrepreneurs and Small Business Leaders helps those up to the task navigate the challenges and complexities that come with leadership in life as a small business owner. Mr. Paul Smiley reaches through the pages to help guide and mentor readers on how to define success, measure success, be a well-rounded leader, take care of customers, engage employees, and find value in the struggle, among other topics. This book is a perfect reference for new and seasoned leaders alike, and anybody else venturing to world of capitalism.

About the Author

Paul A. “Gator” Smiley is a nationally recognized award-winning small business owner, leader, advocate, mentor, adjunct professor, and author. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Air Force, Paul started Sonoran Technology in 2007, which has been recognized as one of the most successful and fastest-growing veteran-owned small businesses in the U.S. In 2016, Mr. Smiley was honored as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Businessperson of the Year – Arizona, and in October 2021, he was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall in honor of his military service, business philanthropy, and community leadership. Mr. Smiley is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with over 1,900 flying hours in the E-3 AWACS aircraft. He is a combat veteran of OPERATION DESERT STORM, served twice as a Squadron Commander, Deputy Group Commander, Pentagon action officer for the Joint Chief of Staff and Headquarters Air Force’s CHECKMATE Division where he served as a Joint Air Operations Planner and Combat Plans Strategist. Lt. Colonel Smiley is a graduate and former instructor at the Air Force's prestigious Fighter Weapons School. During his 25 years of service, Lt. Colonel Smiley was awarded multiple medals and citations.