Wealth In Motion Consulting - Empowering Entrepreneurs, Building Community

Sonya Smith is the force behind Wealth In Motion Consulting, a business that does far more than help entrepreneurs file paperwork or write a business plan. Her work reaches deep into the heart of economic development in the South Bend and Mishawaka communities by helping individuals build businesses, create generational wealth, and change the trajectory of their lives.

Her story starts right here in South Bend. A graduate of LaSalle High School, Sonya made history as the first African American valedictorian in the city’s history. From there, she earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and Spanish from Butler University and later an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.

“My journey has always been about figuring out how to build something that lasts for myself and others,” Sonya shares. Her early experiences with Primerica Financial Services opened her eyes to how many people lacked basic financial education. “I met with people later in life who didn’t have life insurance, didn’t understand debt, and didn’t know how to build financial stability. I knew something had to change.”

That realization followed her through years in corporate leadership, from pharmaceutical sales to executive roles in the healthcare industry, both domestically and abroad. After working overseas in Qatar, COVID restrictions delayed her next international role. She volunteered as long as she could before finally deciding to return to her hometown of South Bend.

“I promised myself that if I moved back to Indiana, I’d start my own business,” Sonya explains. “Part of that is because Indiana doesn’t always make space for African American executives in leadership roles. I wasn’t willing to accept positions that were beneath my skills or navigate the microaggressions that often come with those environments.”

Instead, she combined her decades of experience in finance, contracts, and operations, pouring it into a business designed to help others create wealth, build sustainable businesses, and secure their futures.

From Global Leadership to Local Impact

In 2021, Wealth In Motion Consulting was born. Initially focused on helping clients invest and build wealth, Sonya quickly realized a gap in the community: many people simply weren’t financially ready to invest. “Even people earning six or seven figures didn’t know how to save or budget. The first step had to be teaching financial literacy and helping people create new streams of income.”

Her work quickly expanded beyond one-on-one consulting. Sonya began partnering with IMPower Center on their contract with the City of South Bend Office of Diversity and Inclusion to coach entrepreneurs through business formation, funding strategies, and growth. She also provides nonprofit formation services, operational consulting, and training on tools like ChatGPT for business planning.

Her partnership with the City of Mishawaka became a game-changer. Recognizing a lack of support for small businesses in Mishawaka, Sonya, alongside Cindy Cohen, pitched and developed the Mishawaka Business Institute, a comprehensive program designed to uplift local entrepreneurs. “It took over a year of surveying businesses to convince the city that this was needed. Business owner after business owner made it clear that they received little to no support from the city. Once they saw the data, they were on board.”

A Holistic Approach to Business Consulting

What sets Wealth In Motion Consulting apart is Sonya’s ability to look at the entire picture. “Most consultants manage one piece,” she explains. “You might get someone who does taxes, someone else who oversees contracts, and another who helps with funding…but no one ties it all together.”

Her decades of experience span tax preparation, mortgages, real estate, commercial property management, corporate contracts, and international finance. That depth enables her to advise clients holistically, whether it’s setting up an LLC, creating a 501(c)(3), planning for retirement, or understanding how contracts and tax law intersect with business decisions.

Defining Moments and Meaningful Impact

A turning point came when Sonya entered the McCloskey New Venture Competition at Notre Dame with her proposal for the Inspiring Business Institute, a plug-and-play version of the Mishawaka Business Institute designed for any city looking to support its small businesses. Making it to round two validated her business model and brought a wave of credibility both locally and beyond.

The impact of her work is clear. One client, a local food truck owner, came to her with an idea but no plan. For eight months, Sonya guided him from concept to a detailed business plan, helped him navigate city resources, connected him with investors, and supported his pitch for tax-increment financing. Today, he’s running a multi-million-dollar project, with major contracts, including one with Notre Dame, helping him secure funding to make his vision a reality.

Serving, Scaling, and Staying True

Despite her success, Sonya isn’t driven by rapid growth. “I’m retired from the corporate world. This is my passion. I’m focused on helping one person or business at a time and making a living doing that.”

Sonya doesn’t operate with a large team but instead relies on strong partnerships with other local business leaders like Cindy Cohen and Kesha Farlow to execute her plans. Whether it’s collaborating on new programming or expanding access to online education, Sonya believes in collective impact.

Wisdom for Future Entrepreneurs

Sonya’s advice is straightforward: “Don’t try to figure it out alone. The first thing you need is a mentor, someone who can share their experiences so you don’t have to learn everything the hard way,” she explains. “And just as important, you need an advocate. A mentor teaches you, but an advocate talks about you in rooms you’re not in. They open doors. They build your reputation before you even walk into the conversation.”

She also stresses the importance of readiness. “You can have a great product or idea, but if people don’t trust you, you’ll be out of business before they do. Credibility matters.”

Connect with Wealth In Motion

Whether you’re launching a business, forming a nonprofit, or looking for clarity on your next financial move, Wealth In Motion Consulting offers guidance rooted in experience and community impact. You can book a free 30-minute consultation at www.wealthinmotion.net and connect with Sonya on social media: