Christopher M. Smith's path into business advisory started inside the entertainment industry itself, not outside looking in. He grew up inside the music business, raised around professional recording artists and working musicians long before he entered it himself. Professionally trained as a child actor, he began his career performing in commercials, short film, and print, and has carried that performing career forward through music as a SAG-AFTRA member. He also spent five years as a radio personality hosting his own weekly program, an early grounding in the content and broadcast side of media. He later founded a private creative production studio for songwriters, composers, and artists, producing music across genres for a wide range of affiliates including filmmakers, directors, and producers; independent and major record labels; publishing companies; independent and touring artists; television networks; churches; and schools.

He is also an ASCAP-registered songwriter and publisher, with a catalog published across major entertainment and media companies spanning film, television, and broadcast.

That foundation carried into enterprise operations. As Executive Director of Operations under Nortek Inc. — overseeing multiple brands across four continents — he led technical operations, product training, supply chain operations, and managed over 100 global distribution relationships.

He holds a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, completed with a 4.0 GPA, and a B.S. in Digital Arts Engineering — an individualized degree combining electrical engineering, film and media studies, and music composition. He is currently completing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

Christopher's academic journey was shaped by resilience. After being diagnosed with and beating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, he channeled his recovery into completing his MBA in a year and a half with a perfect GPA — then continued directly into the doctoral program. That experience reinforced a commitment to building something meaningful and helping others do the same. CNP Executive Advisory exists to make business growth more practical, more human, and more accessible so clients can move forward with clarity, confidence, and a stronger foundation.