Entertainment Entrepreneur & Community Builder

Bennie Smith Jr. is a dynamic entertainment industry entrepreneur from Decatur, Illinois, whose passion for media began long before his formal education. At just 14 years old, he started DJing and doing sound engineering, setting the foundation for a career that would take him across multiple facets of the entertainment industry.

After refining his skills throughout his teenage years, Bennie attended Millikin University, where he earned a degree in Communications in 2007. While in college, he gained hands-on experience at 89.5 WJMU and WAND and was later hired to program the 105.5 Hip Hop radio station in Decatur and Champaign.

Beyond radio, Bennie expanded into concert promotion, DJing, and event production, working with major artists, including members of Young Money and Cash Money’s Lil Wayne and Drake. His expertise led him into television, where he contributed to hit shows like Real Housewives of Atlanta, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, and America’s Got Talent.

Seeking new challenges, he took his talents on the road as a tour manager for various artists before joining large-scale productions like Discover the Dinosaurs and Sesame Street Live. These experiences deepened his industry knowledge, but a visit home to Decatur made him realize the need for creative opportunities in his own community.

Determined to make an impact, Bennie began buying and renovating homes, adopting a street, and ultimately acquiring his first commercial property—now home to Suite 704. More than just a media production studio, Suite 704 is a creative hub that empowers independent artists, entrepreneurs, and content creators with resources in podcasting, music production, photography, videography, and brand development.

With a lifelong passion for music, media, and community, Bennie Smith Jr. continues to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship, ensuring that emerging talent has the platform and support to thrive.