Travis Smith

Operator. Founder. Growth & Deal Advisor.

I partner with growth-stage founders, real estate operators, and enterprise executives to build defensible distribution channels, streamline complex multi-site operations, and structure high-stakes commercial deals.

My operational playbook was forged through high-performance athletics as an All-American and National Champion collegiate athlete at Cedarville University. Bringing that competitive discipline into business, I co-founded my first company one year out of college, VIP Waste Services.

We bootstrapped the company into the Midwest’s largest doorstep recycling and waste provider—servicing over 30,000 multi-family units weekly across three states and five metropolitan markets—culminating in a strategic acquisition by Valet Living (an Ares Management portfolio company) in 2018.

Following the exit, I built T&E Logistics into a premier last-mile freight operation (scaling to over $6M in annual revenue, operating 30+ dedicated trucks, and earning #1 station national performance rankings for Amazon before negotiating a contract buyout in 2024), while also serving as Chief Operating Officer for Roger C. Perry & Company, managing a $12M multi-family real estate portfolio.

Today, I lead national B2B expansion at ApplianceRentals.com and advise high-growth enterprises on commercial transactions, corporate partnerships, and operational scaling through SLG Consulting.

Having been an athlete most of my life, I know business is the ultimate team sport. The standard is high and the discipline is real, but nothing beats the thrill of a hard-earned victory. Let’s build the strategy to win your market—and have some fun doing it!

Head of B2B Partnerships | ApplianceRentals.com (Present)
Spearheading enterprise B2B division growth, executing strategic partnership agreements with regional multi-family housing portfolios across Ohio. Integrating automated leasing models and API workflows directly into property management software (PMS) ecosystems to reduce friction and accelerate distribution.

Founder & Strategic Advisor | SLG Consulting (Present)
Advising growth companies and real estate operators on B2B channel architecture, joint ventures, capital formation, and commercial deal mechanics.

Founder & CEO | T&E Logistics, Brokers & Carriers
Scaled revenue from $0 to $6M+ across freight brokerage, GE appliance installation contracts, and Amazon heavy-bulk distribution. Managed a 75+ person workforce, maintained a 12-month zero-injury safety record, won #1 Operating Station in the U.S. three times, and negotiated a successful contract buyout with Amazon.

Chief Operating Officer | Roger C. Perry & Company
Directed operations and P&L across a 1,500+ unit multi-family portfolio generating $12M in aggregate revenue. Executed full enterprise software migration to Yardi, reducing corporate headcount by 10%, lowering delinquency by 7%, and driving a 12% revenue increase at 98% occupancy.

Co-Founder | V.I.P. Waste Services | Acquired by Valet Living)
Bootstrapped the Midwest’s leading doorstep amenity provider from $0 to $2M+ in annual revenue, 32% gross margins, and servicing 30,000 weekly apartment units before orchestrating an M&A exit to Valet Living. Transitioned as Regional Sales Executive for Valet Living, securing multi-year renewals for acquired units and closing institutional contracts across the Southeast.

Licensed Real Estate Professional | State of Ohio
Advising corporate buyers and investors on commercial site selection, lease negotiations, valuation analysis, and asset acquisitions.

Industry & Entrepreneurial Honors:

  • Entrepreneur of the Year – Increase CDC
  • Empact 100 Honoree: Recognizing top young entrepreneurs in the United States
  • Young Alumnus of the Year – Cedarville University
  • Columbus Young Professionals D2R Finalist
  • #1 Operating Station in the Nation (3x Awardee) – Amazon Logistics Network DSP (2022, 2x in 2023)

Athletic & Academic Honors:

  • NCCAA National Champion & 2x First Team All-American – Track & Field (4x100m, Triple Jump) Cedarville University
  • Graduated as School Record Holder – Track & Field (4x100m) Cedarville University
  • Athletes of Honor Inductee Cedarville University
  • B.A. in Business Marketing Cedarville University

Board Governance & Civic Leadership:

  • Small Business Advisory Council & African American Advisory Council: Appointed by U.S. Senator Rob Portman
  • Columbus Apartment Association Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and Associate Council Chairman
  • Beyond Capital Angel Investing Group: Founding Member and Angel Mentor ($10M+ deployed across 21 companies)
  • Board Member: Cedarville University Plaster School of Business
  • Board Member: Truecast.io

Non-Profit & Community Experience:

  • Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association
  • Greater Dayton Apartment Association
  • Columbus Apartment Association
  • Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
  • Ohio Angel Collective
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes

I am a seasoned keynote speaker, panelist, and podcast guest covering venture growth, multi-family channel strategy, and operational discipline.

Featured in publications such as

  • Forbes
  • Fast Company
  • Magazine
  • Columbus Business First
  • Ocala Star Banner.

Keynote & Panel Appearances:

  • The National Residential Recycling Conference: Keynote on scalable amenity logistics and sustainability.
  • Organization of Solid Waste Districts of Ohio (OSWDO): Industry operational frameworks.
  • Ohio Association of Litter Prevention and Recycling Professionals (OALPRP): Operational efficiency in private-public partnerships.
  • Ohio Christian University: Addresses on entrepreneurial grit, venture funding, and commercial scaling.
  • Cedarville University: Numerous classroom and panel appearances as well Chapel speaker
  • The Ohio State University (Fisher School of Business): Addressed Senior level entrepreneurship class on the “Good, Bad, and Ugly” from startup to operating to exit.
  • Numerous churches, non-profits, and men’s groups encouraging attendees on topics such as: Wise Decision Making, Leadership in their Role, and Living Life on Purpose.

Podcast Appearances:

  • Impact of Leadership – Hosted by Patrick Booth
  • Kingdom Kommerce – Hosted by Cooper Peterson
  • The Walaway – Hosted by Imram Nanlawala

Speaking Topics:

  • The Bootstrap-to-Exit Blueprint: How I scaled an amenity service to 30,000 apartment units and successfully executed an M&A exit.
  • Building Enterprise Distribution Moats: Strategies for integrating tech and services into institutional real estate portfolios.
  • Championship Athletic Discipline in Executive Operations: Transferring lessons of elite athletic conditioning to corporate execution.

Through SLG Consulting, I provide advisory for founders, real estate operators, and executive teams looking to unlock distribution and structure scalable operations.

My expertise:

Enterprise B2B Partnerships & Channel GTM
Structuring commercial agreements via enterprise relationship acquisition of C-suite decision-makers. Building institutional trust, and securing high-value accounts across competitive markets. Designing API integrations and PMS workflow embeds to automate service delivery.

Commercial Deal Structuring & Asset Advisory:
Buy/Sell-side representation, commercial property underwriting, and implementing multi-family portfolio management best practices. Structuring earn-ins, joint ventures, and capital advisory for growth businesses.

Operational Scale, Fleet Logistics & Systems
Scaling high-touch service teams, field operations, and last-mile delivery routes. Managing enterprise ERP/Yardi software rollouts to optimize operating margins and reporting.

“Engagements available via monthly retainer advisory, focused project sprints, or board appointment”

    Direct inquiries for strategic advisory, commercial transactions, or speaking engagements:

    Location: Columbus / New Albany, OH

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    From Ocala, FL
    Based in Columbus, OH