TOILET PAPER PROFILES – Ms. Jodi Smith of Mannersmith

Published by Mike Michalowicz (Google+)

TOILET PAPER ENTREPRENEUR PROFILES

Ms. Jodi Smith, Founder of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting

Company Name
Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting

The Service
Mannersmith is an etiquette consulting firm that delivers seminars to clients ranging from children to CEOs; each program is a combination of lecture, activities and exercises designed to ensure that learning about etiquette is both educational and entertaining.

Started
Officially January 1996

Start-Up Cost
A couple hundred dollars…

Favorite Food
Currently I am hooked on Indian.  Naan, aloo matter...yum!  Of course, Snickers bars are lovely too.

The Cost of a Great Night Out
If I am with the right people, as little as $20.  Taxing tablemates require a nicer venue and a pricier meal.

Favorite Movie
Tie between Blues Brothers, Princess Bride and North by Northwest.

Fly, Drive, Bike, or Walk
Walk – calming.

Proudest Entrepreneurial Accomplishment
Being interviewed by Diane Sawyer live on Good Morning America.

Biggest Personal Accomplishment
Trusting myself enough to quit my “safe” job and start my business.

Passion
Every day I am able to help people be better in their personal and professional lives.  Etiquette is “news you can use” right away.

Greatest Lesson
There are plenty of people out there who will tell you that you can’t do it, that it has been done already, it was done and failed…do not listen.  Trust yourself, surround yourself with positive people (not “yes” men, positive people will share your dream and help you find alternative ways to get there if your way is not ideal), and seek out great mentors.

Get More Information
www.Mannersmith.com

*****

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*****

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Category: TPE Profiles
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  • http://www.NetworkingEffectively.com Scott Bradley

    What an interesting idea for a business!

  • Mike Michalowicz

    Please. Thank you. You are welcome. These can be truly magical words. Espescially when I am in the dog house with the wifey.

    - Mike

  • Beth

    It is so nice to see manners and etiquette being passed on to the younger generations. Jodi does an amazing job educating both adults and children and makes the learning fun as well. Way to go Jodi!

  • Amy B

    Ms. Smith is a remarkable woman with a business that can truly change the world. What an amazing place it would be if all of us took the few extra moments to remember that “manners matter!” every day! Thank you, Jodi Smith, for teaching our children (and us grown-ups, too!) that proper etiquette can make the world a better place.

  • http://www.yarogroup.com Alexander Yaroslavsky

    I’ve known Jodi for over 10 years. She is a true expert in manners and etiquette & has offered valuable advice to me on many occasions. Congrats, Jodi!

  • Ali

    Etiquette Consulting is a great business and Jodi has such a passion for her work. I always enjoy her books, articles and presentations. Great job Jodi!

  • Jennifer Dolin

    Fabulous information! I receive the Mannersmith monthly newsletters. Great tips, and I look forward to reading them each month.

  • http://www.totalimageconsultants.com Ginger Burr

    Jodi is amazing (and I’ve followed her career since she started Mannersmith). She always has the perfect response for everything — no issue is to challenging or too sensitive. She’s the go-to person for any etiquette question I’ve ever had. She’s the best!

  • http://www.Mannersmith.com Jodi R. R. Smith

    A great big thank you to everyone for your comments and well wishes! Anyone wishing to sign up for the Mannersmith Monthly, click here: http://www.mannersmith.com/resources/subscribe.cfm or to ask your our etiquette emergency question, click here: http://www.mannersmith.com/contact/index.cfm.

    Remember ~ Manners do Matter! ~ Jodi

  • Nanette

    Jodi and her successful business are reminders that good manners never go out of style.

  • Allen

    I’ve hired Jodi to perform one of her seminar’s for my team and she did a great job! I noticed a big difference in how professional my employees behaved and interacted with senior management following the class.

  • Jennifer

    Jodi is an inspiration – she has created a successful business helping to make the world a nicer, friendlier, more polite place, in work and personal interactions alike. My kids have also enjoyed her good manners programs.

  • Ellen

    Kudos to Jodi!

  • http://www.talkofconnecticut.com Mary Jones

    Great job, Jodi!
    Jodi has been a regular guest on my radio talk show for a few years, and I SO look forward to all of our on-air conversations!
    Her practical advice and tips on etiquette and manners spurs us on to be better people!

  • Maria

    Jodi is delightful and a true paragon of civility!!!

  • Robin

    Jodi is my “go-to” for all etiquette questions! And she’s the most amazing person to boot…yeah Jodi!

  • Marianne

    I love the picture of Jodi – how fitting. As a long time admirer of Jodi – I can’t think of a better (and more well-behaved) entrepreneur to feature! Yay!

  • Lynn

    Jodi always has a wealth of information that is so useful!

  • Cary

    Bringing back etiquette for all ages is a fantastic idea–Bravo, Jodi, for taking the risk and leaving your “safe job”. Everyone today can benefit from manner classes and fun reminders to use polite words. Thanks Jodi!

  • Patty

    I am so glad Jodi makes sure that etiquette doesn’t get lost in our hectic world full of technology. Your work impresses me, Jodi!

  • http://smallbizbee.com Entrepreneur

    I love reading these success stories…shows what people can do if they put their mind to it, and gives motivation to those who have yet to give their business ideas a shot.

    Matt

  • Lisa H.

    Jodi is great! She came to talk to my organization and everyone was mesmerized. We all learned a lot from her talk on Manners for Children.

  • Mike Michalowicz

    I agree with Matt fully. I too love reading success stories. I find it a huge motivator. And there is always a new discovery to be found when seeing how other entrepreneurs are growing their businesses.

    Keep up the great work Jodi!

    - Mike

  • Stacy

    I attended Jodi’s “Graceful Dining Seminar” in 2002. Since that time I have been in many situations in which I have used what she taught me. Jodi gave me the confidence to know what was appropriate and what was not! I am certain that she has affected many other lives the way she has changed mine! Thank you Jodi!!!

  • Kimberly

    Etiquette lessons are an art that our society needs now more than ever and Jodi is the queen of etiquette consulting! She is a creative, intelligent, entertaining, lively and brilliant woman who followed her dreams and is taking them all the way!
    I’ve known Jodi for many years and she has never ceased to impress me both in business and personally.
    You go girl! :)

  • Jeff

    Once did a dining seminar with Ms. Smith. Made a big difference in my comfort level at business lunches!

  • http://www.Mannersmith.com Jodi R. R. Smith

    What fun to check the blog this morning and read all of your kind words and kudos. Thank you ~ Jodi

  • Doug

    What impresses me most about Jodi is that she’ll always go the extra mile for a person. Whether it’s a handwritten thank you note, an invitation to dinner, a card faithfully sent every anniversary or just listening over a cup of tea, she puts the etiquette principles she teaches to use every day.

  • http://www.grippiesonline.com Corrie Wilder

    What a lovely idea for a business! With two little girls at home,”manners” is a hot topic in our house, from saying please and thank you, treating people with respect, sharing, listening well and even dressing appropriately for occasions (my kindergartener is quite particular about her wardrobe).

    I have signed up for your newsletter and looking forward to reading and learning!

  • Eric

    Jodi has an uncanny knack for knowing how best to respond in almost any social or business situation when questions of etiquette are on the line. She is a walking encyclopedia, and never boring! She’s a great writer too — read her books for a crash course on how to make a good impression on those around you.

  • Kim C.

    As a person friend of Jodi’s for years, I can say that she is THE most down to earth person. As a person who has less than glorious manners, I’ve never felt on my toes, judged, or made to feel less than loved by her friendship. I’ve often thought I’m the Oscar to her Felix.

    I’m never short of impressed by her energy and can do attitude. If you have an idea, run it by her; she’ll explode it and put you on the map.

    I look foward to the newsletter and tips, you can always count on the correct answer or suggestion!

  • Sarah H.

    I sometimes can’t believe I’m friends with Jodi. How can someone as professional, wise and diplomatic as she tolerate someone as gawky, clueless and unpolished as me? She does because even though she takes etiquette seriously and believes proper manners make the world a better place to live, she lives life without having her guard up. She allows imperfection into her life with open arms.

    She is friendly, open, creative, supportive, and understands that knowing the right thing doesn’t always mean we’re capable of doing the right thing. Her advice is always spot on and I trust her opinion absolutely.

  • Claire

    What can I say – Jodi has dedicated her life and business bringing civility, common courtesy and kindness back into other people’s lives. She is my ‘go-to’ source for whatever etiquette questions arise both in my business and personal lives.

  • Jim Bruno

    I…don’t know how quite to describe Jodi Smith.

    While I was in college she was one of my business professors and a great teacher – she purchased some of the books for the class!

    Later I interned under her etiquette company as a PR writer. We both helped each other out and eventually that blossomed into a great friendship.

    Then she guided me to a great job with a bunch of great people.

    Since I met her Jodi has just been such a positive force of change in my life – she really is an amazing person. She’s also smart, clever and a great public speaker.

  • Judy Lambert

    What a posative person! I admire her believing in herself enough to start the company and the drive to make a thriving business.

  • Julie

    I enjoy the Mannersmith monthly newsletters very much. Jodi always presents topics in such a light-hearted and enjoyable way.

  • Tanya L.

    Jodi’s books are my favorite graduation gifts for my nieces and nephews! They make navigating the adult personal and professional world so much easier. I would recommend them for intern programs too (either as an instructional tool, or as an end of the year gift.)

  • Scott

    Jodi rocks!

  • Sandy S.

    Manners can be a deal-sealer/breaker. What a terrific business idea, you’re never too old or too young to benefit from Jodi’s product…good manners.

  • Robin

    I enjoy the Mannersmith monthly newsletters. Jodi always has great topics.

  • http://www.Obsidianlaunch.com Mike Michalowicz

    Holy freakin’ smokes. 40 comments on Jodi’s profile. Yowsers!!!! Oops… I just made it 41.

    - Mike

  • http://www.Mannersmith.com Jodi R. R. Smith

    Thank you to everyone who has helped to spread the word about good manners and social graces! Jodi

  • diane

    Manners matter. How we speak to and about others defines who we are. Jodi’s advice offers guidence.

  • Ira Rubtchinsky

    I’ve known Jodi for a very long time. I think that her businss is at the forefront of an important trend. Civility is critical, and we are seing less of it as the political campaign progresses. People may wish to emulate the poor practices demonstrated by politicians. However, businss cannot afford to play the “gotya” and quick “stab” game. Jodi’s programs teach business people methods and approaches that will allow such businesses to succeed AFTER the election and in years to come.

  • Deb
  • Jen

    Jodi is an amazing presenter and facilitator. I’ve had the opportunity to see her in action several times and am amazed at her ability to share etiquette learning in such a non-fussy, practical, fun way.