Reviews
“Teri really helped me understand how I work best, align my most important goals and achieve a clarity to move forward. Her guidance helped me understand how to tackle some big picture goals and attain them quickly.”
— B.T. – Confidential Coaching Client
“Teri has been a phenomenal coach. Her calm, intentional approach immediately creates a trusting relationship. She has a way of asking questions that encourages you to think strategically and take ownership of your goals and outcomes. She is a wonderful support team all wrapped in one incredible person!”
— M.M. – Confidential Coaching Client
“Our company contracted with Teri of Starfish Partnerships to integrate team building activities into our new hire orientation (NHO). This has proved to be an excellent decision as it has helped create a positive and more engaging atmosphere for our new employees. These activities allowed everyone a chance to get to know each other and establish a sense of collaboration from the start, making our new employees feel welcomed and supported. Teri is very good at engaging the employees and helping them think outside the box, identify their personal leadership style and how to work with team members from other styles. Overall, incorporating these team building activities into our NHO has been a valuable investment for our company."
— Michael Schoon, Senior Vice President/General Manager,
Head of GA Site Operations, Finance & Accounting,
General Business Affairs with Hitachi Astemo Americas, Inc
"Teri's Clifton Strengths training was a game-changer for our team. Her excellent training skills and alignment around strengths helped our team better understand each other and perform at a higher level. The training allowed us to soar to new heights and better understand the skill set across our larger team. It was the best training our team has ever completed, and I highly recommend it to create high-functioning teams."
— Katie Comer, Head of Community Development,
North America with Meta
“I was very pleased with our experience for team building with MIND design with Teri. This experience fostered team conversations and a better understanding of the way each of us process and work best together. In addition, this assessment gave great insight to the balance of our team and explanations to our communication styles and processing. I would highly recommend this training to build and grow a more effective team."
— Ginny Givens, Owner & President,
Ginny’s Custom Embroidery
“I am writing this recommendation to highly endorse Teri Smiley of Starfish Partnerships as a facilitator for non-profit board planning sessions. Teri recently guided our organization's board through a highly productive and impactful planning session, and her expertise and professionalism made a significant difference in our strategic direction. During the planning session, Teri exhibited exceptional skills in facilitating discussions, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that all board members were actively engaged in the process. Teri's ability to create a supportive and inclusive environment allowed for open and honest dialogue among board members, leading to meaningful and insightful contributions.”
— Beth Truelove, President,
White County Chamber of Commerce
"Teri Smiley facilitated the Barrow Chamber's Board Retreat a few years ago. During her facilitation, her wisdom, her knowledge, and her leadership helped shape the Barrow Chamber, not only for the following year, but for many years afterwards. I would recommend her without reservation, without hesitation, and without a second thought. She's really, really good.“
— Tommy Jennings, President,
Barrow County Chamber of Commerce
“As a facilitator Teri is a very skilled operator. In our board retreat she was able to navigate a large group through a full agenda and keep everyone involved and interested. What also made a difference was her ability to draw out what each of our visions are for the future of the Chamber. The retreat was well received and resulted in positive outcomes."
— Heath Taylor, President,
Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce
"Thank you Teri! Not only were you super enthusiastic leading our Board of Directors at our annual planning retreat, you helped create important deliverables that propelled our Chamber to the next level. Working with you beforehand helped me put together a plan that assured our group had all of the information to help them in their decision making for future events and programs. I appreciate that we were able to strategically plan this event, and figure out what vital information my Board needed to know. Your ability to keep the conversations on track and explain their role as board members ignited a spark of motivation to do big things for our business community. You're a rock star!"
— Debbie Jones, Former President,
Thomson-McDuffie County Chamber of Commerce