Andrew Smith, 35 Founding partner, Smith & Wooten Andrew Smith, a founding partner at Westlake Village accounting firm Smith & Wooten, says youth has its advantages in an industry dominated by professionals who have built long, successful careers based on trust and experience. “I have built a successful practice by focusing on the needs of ambitious individuals who aren’t content with the old way of doing business,” he said. Prior to launching the boutique firm in 2009, Smith worked at Deloitte & Touche, Fox Cable Networks and Mark S. Varshawsky & Associates, where he supervised the introduction of paperless document filing systems and trained business owners on the design and implementation of software solutions. Smith says being an entrepreneur requires more than being good at your craft. “I was strongly influenced by Michael Gerber and his book, ‘The E-Myth.’ Too many people start a business because they are great ‘technicians.’ Being an entrepreneur requires you to wear many hats, and running a business is more than just creating a new job for yourself.” Now that he’s found a balance between his technical experience and his new roles in business development and marketing the firm, the 35-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus says his advice to other young professionals is simple: meet new people. “Go out and meet new people – not only in your own chosen profession, but in all aspects of business. Those contacts are invaluable when it comes to furthering your own career.” And one more thing, he said, “Don’t be afraid to take chances – that’s the biggest benefit of being young.”