In 2023, Shoaib Ansari joined the bETA program with one goal: to buy and grow a small business. Today, he owns North Smithfield Fence in Rhode Island, where he’s bringing fresh energy, modern systems, and a long-term mindset to a legacy local business.
Why ETA
A former journalist and retail operator, Shoaib came to the U.S. in 2019 and built a career across franchising, tax, and real estate. ETA appealed to him as a chance to step into ownership without starting from scratch, combining business legacy with innovation.
Ownership in Action
Since acquiring North Smithfield Fence, Shoaib has focused on modernizing processes and earning the trust of a long-standing team. Simple changes, like digitizing order tracking, have improved communication and efficiency.
Advice to Others
Don’t underestimate the value of your experiences. ETA doesn’t just reward people with finance or MBA backgrounds, it values grit, adaptability, and people skills just as much.
Biggest lesson?
Cash flow discipline is everything. Staying close to the numbers gives him room to grow, not just survive.
Trust the process, but stay relentless. Take consistent action—even when things feel unclear—you’ll get there.
North Smithfield Fence, Rhode Island
Residential & Commercial fence installation based in North Smithfield, RI