Your creativity deserves a thriving business behind it.
Our Story
EDCAC was founded by Ekima Smith, a Fortune 100 finance professional who transitioned into the world of events and entrepreneurship.
While building her own business, she noticed a pattern: creatives were rich in talent but lacked the business structure to scale. Many closed their doors—not from lack of passion, but from lack business acumen.
That’s when EDCAC was born.
We exist to bridge the gap between creativity and business acumen!
Through one-on-one coaching & consulting, on-demand training, and networking events, we help event professionals build profitable, scalable businesses—without losing their creative spark.
Meet our CEO
With over 20 years of corporate experience, founder and CEO Ekima Smith has developed a curriculum that adapts proven strategies from Fortune 100 companies into practical tools for small business growth.
EKIMA SMITH
Founder & CEO
EDCAC
Ekima Smith, has had a remarkable career across the Banking, Retail and Insurance Sector. She has contributed significantly to finance and accounting operations for CITI Group, LBrands (the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works), and Nationwide Insurance. Her expertise spans areas such as earnings preparation, enterprise capital forecast, Profit & Loss modeling, inventory management, procurement & sourcing, supplier relationship management, and departmental budgets.
While her career has spanned across the corporate sector, Ekima has always had a passion for event planning and design. She turned her passion into a portfolio of successful event centric businesses: The Five Party & Event Center, The Five Props & Rentals and EDCAC (Event Designers & Creative Accelerator Consultants) providing a full-service event experience from event design and venue management to industry education.
Ekima is currently a Board Member for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce (COAACC). She is also a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council and also served on the Certification Committee of the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council
Ekima’s commitment to philanthropy shines through, particularly in her support for children’s causes including local schools and youth organizations in Columbus.
Married and a mother of two sons, Ekima and her family enjoy traveling, exploring local eateries, and hosting game nights together.