Call Now To Speak To Our Team: (615) 380-8450
Believing In Business Owners Since Day One
Owning a business can feel overwhelming at times, and sometimes even a little lonely. That’s why we believe support should feel personal. We’re not here just to complete a project and move on, we’re here to build real relationships with the people behind the business.
To us, you’re more than a client. You’re someone with ideas, goals, and a vision worth investing in. We celebrate the wins with you, support you through the challenges, and genuinely care about helping your business grow in a way that feels sustainable and true to you.
Our Mission
Our mission is to grow small businesses in small towns because your geographic location shouldn't inhibit the resources needed to nurture good ideas.
We do this by curating practical small business education, creating inspiring spaces to work, meet and network, and driving connections between small businesses and their communities.
Our Values
Serve Before You Sell
We show up for our clients, community, and local businesses because it’s the right thing to do, not because there’s a contract attached. We believe in building real relationships, offering support where we can, and being present beyond the work itself.
Ownership & Accountability
We take full accountability for our work and treat every business as if it were our own. This isn’t just a contract to us, it’s our work, our reputation, and the results we stand behind every step of the way.
Partner, Not Vendor
Transactional isn’t how we operate. Our clients, teammates, and community partners are people first. You’re never just an account or a data point. You’re someone we genuinely work with and care about.
Community Driven
We’re not just a company, we’re a small-town movement. We’re here to help local economies grow, connect people, and strengthen communities. We lead with empathy, kindness, and intention in everything we do.
Meet the Team That Builds With You
Lisa DiVirgilio
Founder/CEO
Jeff Smith
CFO
Amanda Overby
Managing Director
Hope Helmintoller
Social Media Manager
Raamiah Torres
Graphic Designer | Front Desk Admin
Elizabeth Williams
Content Creator | Photographer
Women Owned And Operated
Small Town Startup is a women-founded and primarily women-led agency, built with support from a wide range of collaborators, including Jeff Smith. While most of our team is women, we work with clients across all industries and backgrounds, not based on ownership or identity.
We’re a group of creative professionals who take pride in our work and the balance we bring to it. Many of us juggle full careers along with life outside of work, and that perspective shows up in how we approach our clients and projects.
STS is an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming space. We’ve worked with a diverse range of businesses, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community and Black-owned businesses. We value treating everyone with fairness and respect.
At the end of the day, we care about good work, strong relationships, and helping our clients grow.
Fueling The Next Generation
Our Junior CEO Camp gives the next generation of leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs a hands-on look at what it really means to start and run a small business. We want students to see that owning a business is a real career path and help give them the confidence and skills to get a head start early on.
Throughout this week-long camp, students learn the basics of entrepreneurship, the importance of small businesses, and what goes into building a business from the ground up. From brainstorming ideas to creating a brand and learning how to market it, campers get to experience every step of the process in a fun and interactive way.
Students work together in teams to create their own business idea and collaborate on pitching it to others. Along the way, they build teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills that will benefit them no matter what career path they choose.
Whether your child dreams of owning their own business, loves being creative, enjoys leadership, or is interested in marketing and business, Junior CEO is a great way to explore those interests in a supportive and encouraging environment.
