SIMBLIST GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Sales Representative / Tennessee
Amanda came straight to Simblist Group from college. She grew up going to the Atlanta Apparel Mart, as her Father was a Sales Rep - so working in this industry is natural for her. Amanda feels passionately about helping customers curate buys that are perfect for their individual shops. She loves the long lasting friendships with the Simblist Group team, vendors, buyers and store owners that she has made. The inspiration she feels from them is the foundation for her business.
Amy began her career as a Buyer for White House Black Market and went on to be the top Sales Rep for a Sales Agency in the Mid-Atlantic. Amy then joined forces with Kim Leister and purchased the Agency - changing the name to Knack and ultimately modernizing and growing the business to answer today's needs. Growing up in retail, Amy has an uncanny ability to understand customers and vendors alike for long-term partnership and success.
It is no surprise that Ashley began her career in teaching. Being a Sales Rep is also about educating and she is amazing at it. Ashley went on to be a Retail Manager for a large chain, dabbled in Interior Design and ending up working at a small furniture shop before coming to Simblist Group. Over the years Ashley's customers have become friends and she loves bringing them product that she too loves.
Cheryl began her career working in the banking industry with her Father. Their customer base was mostly community banks - local business. Cheryl always had a love for shopping. We all know good shoppers make great Sales Reps! Becoming a Rep for Simblist Group with her financial experience and shopping expertise made it a no brainer. Cheryl sees her job as not only an opportunity to work with shops that she has always loved, but also as helping communities stay afloat through servicing independent business.
Elaine is a native New Yorker who started her retail experience when she moved to New Jersey to manage her family's office furniture business. She then became a territory manager for a leading Gift company, which started her career selling to retailers throughout New Jersey for the next 20 years. One of her greatest joys is the personal relationships she has developed with her retailers, and she looks forward to making more in the future.
Ellen brings to her job 10 years of experience as a buyer for South Moon Under and we are so lucky that she is on our team. She consistently meets and exceeds all sales goals and her customers love her. It does help that she seems to know and be connected to everyone in her territory! Ellen is our social butterfly. She knows everyone and everyone knows her - in the best way.
Jenni has a long history of working with small business owners. Prior to Simblist Group, she was the Director of Operations for a 250 unit franchise chain based out of Atlanta. It is perhaps that background that drives her to work with customers on all aspects of their business. You will always hear her asking, "What is working for you? What other things are you looking to fill your shop with?" She believes in partnering with her customers to bring the best to their local market.
Kim launched her career in public relations and marketing, but her first love was retail. After a successful run as a local shop owner, she went on to be a Sales Rep, and eventually she and business partner Amy McKnight purchased the Agency they worked for. Going back to her public relations and marketing roots, the Agency got a new name and look, and Knack was born. In 2020, Knack merged with Simblist Group to grow and expand both businesses. Kim's absolute love for the industry and all that it encompasses drive her to create an environment of positivity and success for all involved.
Kirstyn is a "senior" member of our team. However, she is the youngest - lucky her! Kirstyn was formerly a Sales Manager and brings a great understanding to both sides of the business. She is consistently a top selling Sales Rep for our team and we always receive feedback from her customers that they love working with her. She is committed to our vendors and to her customer's success. She also loves numbers and a big goal.
Laura has amazing insight on product and people and that is not surprising - she has a long history in our industry. She began as a buyer for Macy's, went on to work in finance and spent several years in New York and Atlanta working part time with a division of Christian Dior. However, her longest history is in sales with Simblist Group - lucky us. Laura brings her extended experience to her customers every day - many of which have become dear friends.
Leica is our showroom EVERYTHING - from management, to sales, to design, she is the magic behind the madness. She joined the team in 2014 as a Showroom Coordinator and over the years has used her experience and everyday learning at Simblist Group to help us evolve in to a well-run machine. Her experience in construction, visual design and retail creates the perfect combination for greatness in our Showroom. Design is her true passion, and it shows. Not only does she love it, design comes to her naturally and is a true gift. She has a vision and is a perfectionist in a good way. Leica makes work a family affair. We've had the pleasure over the years of her daughter and son both helping out in our Showroom.
Liz has the longest tenure out of all of our Simblist Group Reps. She started in the industry as an Assistant Manager at Crate and Barrel, went on to be a Buyer for Ferragamo and has even been on the shipping side packing product. Over the years, the relationships she has developed with customers and vendors have turned into wonderful friendships. She believes the Simblist Group family is a very special team that lifts one another up and supports each other personally and professionally.
Margaret has been serving customers as an independent sales rep for nearly a decade, and loves travelling to see the stores and helping her buyers find just the right items for their shelves. In her free time, if she isn't walking on the beach or with hanging out with her family, you'll find her serving on the boards of her favorite local non-profit organizations.
With a master's degree in education, Marianne uses this to teach customers about product. Marianne originally came to us to represent one line and now she is a full time Sales Rep for our complete line package. We are always amazed at Marianne's ability to take every lead and make them a customer. Her enthusiasm and never-quit attitude make her our fastest growing Rep.
Marilyn has worked in the wholesale/retail field for over 20 years. Along with maintaining our Maine showroom, she enjoys travelling to meet customers and help everyone discover what products best fit their type of business. She enjoys the challenge of working with customers to find new brands that will make their stores more successful.
Mary Beth began her career in Advertising. Years later, she joined a new hand-bag retail chain in store management, before becoming a wholesale gift and stationery sales rep. Creative and detail oriented, Mary Beth loves the opportunity to learn about not only the vendor's products, but also their passion and "story" behind the collection. Mary Beth understands the need to bring selective and curated lines to the many unique and charming small businesses throughout her territory. She has built strong partnering relationships as a trusted sales rep over the years.
Job Titles:
- Sales Representative / New York
Meleah is an enthusiastic Sales professional with over 30 years of experience. She worked as a wholesale gift representative for over 15 years before taking a position as a National Sales and Marketing Director for an olive oil company. She is skilled at developing the right action plan for each of her clients' unique needs and committed to helping them choose the best products. Throughout her career, Meleah has earned the trust of her customers through the care of her accounts. She attributes her success to her ability to listen to customers and put their needs first.
Melissa brings an expert level of product knowledge to her customers, and she also understands being a vendor. For many years Melissa owned her own Company (Philosopots). She participated in Market as a vendor, visited her customers across the country and even did live demos of how her product was made. She knows what her customers need and also knows the little things a vendor can do help improve and sell their product. Her diverse experience in the industry is a huge asset to all she encounters.
Michele has 25+ years in sales operations and product management. Her knowledge of the marketplace coupled with decisive leadership skills have consistently maximized growth opportunities for a diverse set of companies. Relationships with her customers are top priority, and by constantly seeking ways to provide service and mutually beneficial programs, she lays the foundation for the long-term relationships with her accounts.
Job Titles:
- Sales Representative
- Territory Manager
Nancy is an experienced Territory Manager with a demonstrated history of success working with retailers in the wholesale industry for more than 10 years. She enjoys getting to know her customers deeply, empathizing with whatever their current situation might be, and working with them to develop plans to drive their success.
Shannon has been in the sales industry since she graduated from college. Her professional career has included a start up children's clothing company, sixteen years as a successful sales consultant in the professional salon industry, and a residential real estate sales agent in the central Mississippi area. Shannon is very excited to bring her consultative selling skills, her knowledge in the retail industry, and her passion for the products she represents to her customers.
Susan brings a wealth of experience to the Simblist Group team, having worked as an Account Executive and as an independent sales rep in a variety of industries. She loves what she does because of the relationships she gets to build with her customers, and many of them have become her friends over the years. Protecting those relationships and providing 5-star service to each of her customers is of the utmost importance to her.
Tatiana is totally driven and detail oriented. Both are skills that are a must in the industry. Prior to coming to Simblist Group, Tatiana was a Buyer for a children's store. Simblist Group actually serviced the shop and when she moved to Miami, we were lucky enough to have her become a part of our Team. Tatiana is amazing at putting stories together for customers to bring them success in their shops. She loves what she does and it shows.