SIMBA Welcomes New Executive Director 

A Letter from SIMBA Board President Ed Reese:

It has been my pleasure to serve on SIMBA's Board of Directors for over three years, and I am privileged to lead SIMBA's incredible team of Board and staff members as we head into SIMBA's sixth year. Much has changed - for the good - since SIMBA's pre-launch March 2018 mixer hosted by our outgoing, but not going anywhere, Director of Dynamism Mariah McKay, pictured above. Mariah started SIMBA from an idea to build a prosperous, equitable, and local economy by organizing and educating regional businesses, consumers, and partners.

Since that time, SIMBA has grown to be a powerhouse in supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, stretching our reach west to the Cascades, east to Idaho, north to Canada, and south to Oregon. Among other things, SIMBA created the Live Local INW Directory and Marketplace, a free, online platform for independent, locally-owned businesses to list their businesses, products, and services. On Monday, December 11, SIMBA actually launched Live Local INW 2.0 with easier functionality for independent business participants and consumers alike with a goal of a standalone eCommerce platform by 2025. In addition, SIMBA has provided 1:1 technical assistance to hundreds of BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in Eastern Washington on topics ranging from compliance to marketing - at no cost. SIMBA has brought millions of dollars of grant funding into the region, including regrants of close to $250,000 in 2023 alone - providing marketing grants to a variety of small businesses from Spokane to Pullman. 

After all that work, Mariah has earned a well-deserved sabbatical, which began earlier this month. Mariah will return to SIMBA in a new role in February 2024 bringing her passion, energy, and vision to the organization in new and innovative ways.

In support of this transition, SIMBA has promoted Robin Haynes, the current Outreach and Operations Director, to serve as Executive Director. Robin was a unanimous pick by the Board and Mariah. Robin brings a passion for small business support, an impressive skill set, and a welcoming, collaborative approach to leadership. Robin began her SIMBA journey in April as a subcontractor, quickly being promoted to our Canvassing Field manager, overseeing a team that added over 800 new businesses to the Live Local Directory and Marketplace, including businesses in Pend Oreille, Grant, Benton, Franklin, Whitman, and Lincoln Counties. She has automated many of SIMBA's internal processes, found cost saving software solutions, and has successfully applied for new revenue streams including a Washington State L&I contract that will allow SIMBA to provide education and support to businesses with 50 or less employees in Eastern Washington starting in early 2024.

SIMBA Member Isiah Middleton, owner of One Body One Mind Massage, summed Robin up best, when saying:

"I think Robin is a great person to have in anyone’s circle."

We are grateful to have Robin in SIMBA's circle, and we think you'll feel the same way. You'll hear directly from Robin in our next newsletter, but you can read more about her here in the interim. 

Warm Regards, Ed Reese (Board President)