LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (June 15, 2016) – SIMA is pleased to announce the participants of the 2016/2017 Business Development Program. The mission of the SIMA Business Development Program is to create a sustainable business mentoring service focused on accelerating the aspirations of the surf industry’s early stage entrepreneurs. Now in its third year, the committee recently selected the brands that will take part in the 2016/2017 Business Development Program.
The two-tiered program spans from April 2016 to April 2017 and features both an Emerging Brands Program and Business Advisory Program. All eligible and interested SIMA member brands apply to be a part of the program through an extensive process that includes both a written application and in-person pitch where brands share their stories of inception and what they hope to get out of the program. Out of the applicants, a small number of up-and-coming brands are selected as the Emerging Brands Program, which includes four intensive workshops throughout the year, additional SIMA discounts, and mentorship and support from the SIMA Business Development Committee. A second group of applicants are selected for the Business Advisory Program, which offers a separate, but similar needs-based set of workshops throughout the year specifically catered to the needs of the participating brands, in addition to added SIMA incentives and committee mentorship. Applicants are placed based in the different programs based on the brands’ needs and where the committee feels applicants will benefit most.
“We are very excited to get started with this year’s diverse class of participants in the Business Development Program. The brands are an excellent cross section of the surf and lifestyle industries including; accessory products, surfboards, men’s and women’s apparel, as well as, brands headquartered on both the East and West Coasts,” notes Business Development Committee Chairman, John Wilson. “It’s a great representation of the newness and freshness that retailers and consumers are looking for.”
John Wilson, of Stance, chairs the SIMA Business Development Committee and its committee members include Bruce Beach, Dominique Checkwood of Stance, Duke Edukas of Surfside Sports, Ryan Hitzel of Roark, Ryan Kingman of Villager Goods and Tony Perez of The Enthusiast Network.
“Roark benefited greatly from the mentorship provided in the inaugural session of the Business Development Program and I don’t think there’s ever been a more pressing time for younger brands to gain knowledge from it”, says Ryan Hitzel, CEO and Founder of Roark Revival. “I’m happy to lend some of my experience and help connect the new members with an exceptional group of advisors and topics that can help them grow their companies.”
The 2016/2017 SIMA Business Development Program participants are:
Emerging Brands Program Participants:
Duvin Design Company
GROM
Otis
Pyzel Surfboards
Seea
The Mad Hueys
Business Advisory Participants:
LoveSurf
Pro-Lite
Rastaclat
Simbi
Slyde Handboards
More information on the SIMA Business Development Program can be found at http://sima.com/business-development-program/.
SIMA Contact:
Shannon Park Zseleczky
Managing Director
shannon@sima.com
949-366-1164 x5
SEEA Contact:
surf@theseea.com
About SIMA
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 26 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $6.5 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Since 2004 the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has raised and donated more than $1.7 million to surf-related non-profit organizations. For more information regarding SIMA, please visit www.sima.com.
