Pamela Watson Korbel

An expert on building entrepreneurial companies with values centered leadership, Pam Watson-Korbel founded SmartGrowth, Inc. of Denver in 1996. The company serves over 100 clients and has doubled in size in the past year. SmartGrowth advises investors, owners and executives of rapidly growing firms on strategies to enhance their company’s value. SmartGrowth’s brand promise is that clients will enjoy more money, less work and more fun.™

Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of business coaching. She ranks in the top 7 per cent of all coaches in the world for the number of coaching hours and coaching revenues, according to the Business Building Center. Her firm is now serving clients throughout the nation and is preparing to license coaches nationally through a training and mentoring program.

In 2006, Pam Watson Korbel founded Business Ace, an association that promotes integrity and high standards in business coaching. After spending 10 years in the field, Pam identified a need and desire for a “gathering place” for business coaches that work with entrepreneurial companies. Pam is considered a pioneer in the field of business coaching.

SmartGrowth is affiliated with Gazelles as a coaching partner.

The former CEO of a rapidly growing integrated software firm, in 1993, Pam was a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the program sponsored by Inc. Magazine. She has also worked in strategic and sales positions in Fortune 200 and Inc. 500 companies.

Pam created the book series More Money, Less Work, More Fun!™ In Spring 2003, the first book, 123 tips for smart growth in today’s business environment, was labeled by the Denver Business Journal as a “classic handbook for entrepreneurs.” Her second book The 7 Synergies of Business Success and its work book are in process.

Pam has qualified as a professional member of the National Speakers Association. Her training and motivational speaking focuses on leadership, business social responsibility and marketing for entrepreneurial companies.

Pam’s mentoring extends as well to her volunteer work, which is focused on raising the self-esteem of women and children.

A life-long Girl Scout, she is a troop leader for middle and high school girls. Pam. She also funds the Demeter Scholarship for one Denver-area Girl Scout each year.

While a resident of San Diego, CA, she co-founded the Roads to Self-Employment Program, which helped women to reduce their dependence upon welfare by becoming entrepreneurs.

In January 2005, Pam received the Martin Luther King Award for Business Social Responsibility, which was presented by Governor Bill Owens and Mayor John Hickenlooper. She was one of six honorees for Colorado. Beginning in 2005, SmartGrowth, Inc. is sponsoring a program entitled “A Day of Entrepreneurial Spirit,” which annually includes community service by metro Denver entrepreneurs.

In the business community, Pam is a Past President of NAWBO-Denver (National Association of Women Business Owners). In May 2004, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce presented her the David E. Bailey Award for Small Business Advocacy. In August 2006, the Denver Business Journal named Pam one of twelve Outstanding Women in Business.

Pam also was named women’s business advocate for Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2003. In addition, in 2000, she was named Small Business Person of the Year by NAWBO.

Pam is a graduate of Creighton University, Omaha, NE, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and a Master of Business Administration Degree. She is married and has two children.