Greenville, South Carolina, United States
As an AWARD-WINNING Entrepreneur and seasoned HR professional, I’ve dedicated 30 years to helping organizations build strong, diverse, and successful teams. Through Ava Smith & Associates and Flat Fee Recruiting, I offer HR services and recruiting solutions that have earned recognition in the business community. I am also deeply invested in my local community, serving as a current Board Member for the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. I also previously served on numerous boards like the University Center of Greenville, and the YWCA of Greenville. I’m proud to be a diversity advocate, delivering engaging training and fostering inclusive environments that promote growth and opportunity for all. My goal is to continue empowering others to create their own success stories through leadership, collaboration, and community involvement. I am known as a Servant-Leader and intentionally choose to uplift and inspire others to succeed in both their personal and professional lives. I am always blessed to be a blessing!
At Flat Fee Recruiting, we provide businesses with an innovative, affordable, and transparent solution to talent acquisition. As the AWARD-WINNING Entrepreneur behind this pioneering business model, I’ve worked tirelessly to create a permanent placement service that saves our clients THOUSANDS of dollars. Unlike traditional recruiting agencies that charge 20-30% of a new hire’s salary, our clients only pay a simple, flat fee per placement with no hidden costs, ensuring complete clarity in the recruitment process. We serve clients across various industries, recruiting on a National level, not just locally, and assisting with positions ranging from entry-level to executive leadership. Our services include full-cycle recruiting: advertising, prescreening, conducting interviews, and checking references. We also offer additional services such as national criminal background checks for a nominal fee, providing a comprehensive package to ensure quality hires. Since founding Flat Fee Recruiting in 2010, we have built a strong reputation for providing exceptional value to our clients and have earned several accolades, including Minority Business of the Year through the Greenville Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and as a Recipient of the SC Women in Business Award in 2023. Our success is built on our commitment to excellence, integrity, and a business model that benefits both employers and job seekers alike. In addition to our recruitment services, we proudly serve as a Tier-2 Supplier for BMW, further cementing our credibility and commitment to delivering top-tier talent solutions on a national scale.
Founder, HR Professional, Diversity Advocate, and Award-Winning Entrepreneur With over 25 years of experience in Human Resources, including serving as an HR Director, I specialize in creating tailored HR solutions that help businesses develop strong, diverse, and high-performing teams. My experience spans across non-profits, manufacturing, and corporate environments, allowing me to deliver impactful, results-driven services. At Ava Smith & Associates, we offer: Training & Development Programs: Customized initiatives to enhance employee skills, boost productivity, and align with organizational goals. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Projects: Designing and implementing strategies to create inclusive and equitable work environments. HR Toolbox for Small Businesses: Providing small businesses with essential HR resources, templates, and tools to stay compliant and grow. I have served as a Board Member and Chair of the Diversity Committee for the Greenville Chapter of SHRM, and I currently serve on the Black Business Alliance at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. I have also launched successful diversity programs for Chambers of Commerce. My work in diversity has been recognized with the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Greenville Chapter of SHRM in 2015. Additionally, my contributions have been featured in HUAMI Magazine (2022) and Greenville Business Magazine (2020), where I was recognized for leadership in the community. I was also an active participant in the Minority Business Accelerator Program at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, where I served as both a Business Coach and Alumni. I am passionate about helping organizations create inclusive, thriving cultures that empower every individual to succeed.