Rieva Lesonsky is the CEO of SMB Connects, the leading provider of information, data, decision support tools and research for and about America's small and midsize businesses (SMBs). SMB Connects helps corporations, government agencies, and other organizations identify, understand, and connect with SMBs. It provides information, products, services, and resources to help SMBs build their businesses.
Prior to co-founding SMB Connects, Lesonsky was editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine. Under her editorial leadership, Entrepreneur grew to a monthly readership of 2.4 million people and became the nation’s leading authority for and about entrepreneurs. A nationally recognized speaker who addresses audiences across the country, Lesonsky has appeared on numerous national television programs, including Good Morning America, the Today Show and Oprah.
Lesonsky wrote the bestselling book Start Your Own Business, currently in its 4th edition, and has co-authored several other books about small business and entrepreneurship.
Many organizations have recognized Lesonsky for her tireless devotion to helping entrepreneurs. She served on the Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council for six years, and was honored by the SBA as a Small Business Media Advocate and a Woman in Business Advocate.
Lesonsky was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Journalists by Business News Reporter five times. In 2003, she received TJFR Group’s Business News Luminary award, recognizing those individuals whose careers have had a long-term positive impact on the landscape of journalism, and was inducted into the Business Journalism Hall of Fame.