At a conference where most conversations revolved around AI, efficiency, growth, and market share, Curtis Smith offered a different perspective.
One that felt surprisingly timely.
Speaking live from the Vusion Podcast Studio at the Global DIY-Summit 2026 in Amsterdam, the Executive Director of the Do it Best Foundation and True Value Foundation shared a message that was both simple and easy to overlook:
Every business is ultimately a people business.
No matter what products you sell.
No matter how sophisticated your technology becomes.
No matter how large your organization grows.
At the end of the day, success is measured by the impact you have on the people you serve.
That philosophy sits at the center of the work Curtis leads today as he helps unite two foundations following Do it Best’s acquisition of True Value, creating an organization that now supports a network of approximately 9,000 locations across 60 countries.
Building One Foundation From Two
While the acquisition significantly expanded the size and reach of the business, it also created a unique challenge on the philanthropic side.
How do you merge two separate foundations, each with its own history, relationships, and priorities, into one shared mission?
For Curtis, the answer starts with clarity.
“The mission of who we are as a foundation is to build the best communities.”
That mission has already led the organization to support more than 150 nonprofit organizations across the United States, contributing millions of dollars to causes focused on:
• Food insecurity
• Housing and homelessness
• Education
• Physical and mental health
• Community development
As the combined organization continues to grow, Curtis sees an opportunity to extend that impact even further.
“The scale and the size and the scope that we’ve really gained through this acquisition allows us to have more of an impact in markets all over the globe.”
Growth Creates Opportunity. It Also Creates Responsibility.
One of the more interesting themes from the conversation was the relationship between business growth and community investment.
Retail leaders often think about expansion through the lens of revenue, locations, and operational scale.
Curtis views growth differently.
Growth increases an organization’s ability to create meaningful impact.
As Do it Best and True Value continue integrating into one business, the expanded footprint creates opportunities to support more communities, partner with more organizations, and reach more people than either company could have independently.
But that opportunity comes with challenges.
Resources remain finite.
Every quarter, the foundation receives requests from dozens of nonprofit organizations seeking support.
While the foundation may fund six to eight organizations during a giving cycle, Curtis noted that more than 70 organizations often apply.
The difficult reality is that many worthy organizations still hear no.
Which makes intentional decision-making even more important.
The Similarities Matter More Than The Differences
One of the most thoughtful moments of the discussion came when Curtis was asked how philanthropic priorities might differ internationally compared to the United States.
His answer was refreshingly honest.
“We haven’t taken that step yet.”
But rather than speculate, Curtis shared an observation that has shaped his thinking after traveling internationally.
“I’m always struck by how similar we all are.”
In a world that often focuses on differences between countries, cultures, and markets, Curtis believes most communities are working through many of the same challenges.
People need:
• Food security
• Stable housing
• Access to education
• Physical and mental wellness
• Opportunities to improve their lives
The specifics may vary from market to market, but the underlying needs remain remarkably consistent.
That perspective is especially relevant at a global event like the DIY-Summit, where leaders from dozens of countries gather to discuss the future of retail.
Technology Matters. People Matter More.
The official theme of this year’s Global DIY-Summit is “Accelerating in a New Global Reality.”
For many attendees, that conversation naturally centers around AI, automation, efficiency, and innovation.
Curtis believes those discussions are important.
Foundations, like businesses, need to operate efficiently. They need to use technology effectively and maximize every dollar available.
But technology is not the goal.
Impact is.
“We don’t want to waste a dollar because we exist to build the best communities.”
That mindset serves as a useful reminder that efficiency only matters if it ultimately helps organizations better serve people.
Technology is a tool.
Purpose is the destination.
A Reminder Every Retail Leader Needs To Hear
The most memorable part of the conversation came near the end when Curtis was asked what message he would leave with executives attending the summit.
His response cut through much of the complexity that often surrounds leadership discussions.
“You serve people no matter what you do.”
Whether you’re selling paint, lumber, power tools, robotic lawn mowers, or building the next generation of retail technology, the work always comes back to people.
Customers are people.
Employees are people.
Communities are people.
And businesses have an opportunity to create value far beyond the transaction itself.
Curtis argued that organizations that invest in their communities ultimately become stronger businesses. They build trust, create deeper relationships, and establish a stronger sense of purpose.
But perhaps more importantly, they create something that lasts beyond quarterly results.
The Bigger Takeaway
One of the reasons the DIY industry feels different from many other sectors is that helping people is already embedded into the work.
Home improvement retailers help customers solve problems.
They help people repair homes, improve living spaces, and bring projects to life.
That service-oriented mindset naturally extends into community involvement.
As Curtis observed, many of the people drawn to this industry already possess what he described as a “helper mentality.”
Community investment simply becomes the next logical step.
The Bottom Line
The retail industry is moving quickly.
AI is advancing.
Supply chains are evolving.
Customer expectations continue to rise.
But Curtis Smith’s message in Amsterdam served as a valuable reminder that some fundamentals never change.
Businesses may sell products.
But they exist to serve people.
And the organizations that remember that truth will create value that extends far beyond the walls of their stores.
To catch more conversations from the Global DIY-Summit 2026 in Amsterdam, follow Omni Talk Retail on LinkedIn or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you to Vusion for supporting Omni Talk Retail’s live coverage from the Global DIY-Summit 2026, and thank you to our listeners for joining us during the event.
Be careful out there,
Chris Walton and the Omni Talk Team
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Omni Talk® is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton founded Omni Talk® in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.