About Us
The Simblist Group is a professional sales agency in the gift and home industry that brings good people and great product together to create a little bit of magic in the world of retail. At the Simblist Group, our sales reps do more than just service accounts. We believe in personally supporting and working hard for the businesses in our territories. We seek to understand the unique flair that each account has, and then offer carefully crafted combinations of brands and goods that will drive successful growth for our customers.
Our Management
Kim Leister
President
kleister@simblistgroup.com
404-524-2812
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.
Amy McKnight
Vice President, Sales
amcknight@simblistgroup.com
404-524-2812
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.
Each Simblist Group Sales Representative carries a variety of brands and products.
Please enter your zip code to connect with our Sales Rep nearest you.
Our Sales Managers: Southeast
Shannon Blanks
Sales Representative
Mississippi
sblanks@simblistgroup.com
601-506-7117
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.
Jenni Chambers
Sales Representative
Central & West Florida
jchambers@simblistgroup.com
239-440-1111
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.
Amanda Duensing
Sales Representative
Tennessee
aduensing@simblistgroup.com
404-375-4735
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.
Tatiana Faust Pollara
Sales Representative
Southeast Coast Florida
tfaust@simblistgroup.com
813-690-5081
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.
Cheryl Hartsfield
Sales Representative
Alabama, Florida Panhandle
chartsfield@simblistgroup.com
205-515-5010
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.
Liz O'Mara
Sales Representative
Asheville Area & Western North Carolina, Greenville Area & Northern South Carolina, Atlanta, East & Coastal Georgia
lomara@simblistgroup.com
404-325-8305
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.
Laura Skinner
Sales Representative
Highlands & Cashiers Area North Carolina, Atlanta West & Southern Georgia, Northern Florida
lskinner@simblistgroup.com
770-390-9047
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.
Michele Smith
Sales Representative
Central, Southern, and Northeast Coast South Carolina
msmith@simblistgroup.com
717-676-8441
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.
Ashley Stanley
Sales Representative
Central, Coastal, & East Mountains North Carolina
astanley@simblistgroup.com
919-787-2050
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.
Nancy Truesdell
Sales Representative
Kentucky
ntruesdell@simblistgroup.com
502-641-1968
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.
Each Simblist Group Sales Representative carries a variety of brands and products.
Please enter your zip code to connect with our Sales Rep nearest you.
Our Sales Managers: Mid-Atlantic
Ellen Abbott
Sales Representative
Delaware, Eastern Maryland, Virginia Beach
eabbott@simblistgroup.com
410-251-0143
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.
Marianne Keenan
Sales Representative
Eastern & Central Pennsylvania
mkeenan@simblistgroup.com
610-505-2349
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.
Melissa Lloyd
Sales Representative
Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia
mlloyd@simblistgroup.com
412-527-1569
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.
Kirstyn Roberts
Sales Representative
Washington, DC, Western Maryland, Central & Northern Virginia
kroberts@simblistgroup.com
201-452-1584
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.
Elaine Stagg
Sales Representative
New Jersey
estagg@simblistgroup.com
732-673-6545
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.
Each Simblist Group Sales Representative carries a variety of brands and products.
Please enter your zip code to connect with our Sales Rep nearest you.
Our Sales Managers: Northeast
Kim Dwinell
Sales Representative
Vermont, Western New Hampshire
kdwinell@simblistgroup.com
603-233-8747
Kimberly has been a Sales Professional for over 15 years, with experience across a diverse set of markets ranging from Educational Sales to selling a full line of gift items in to Gift Shops, State Parks, Garden Centers. She considers herself a consultative sales professional and a supporting partner in her customer's businesses, and thoroughly enjoys working with her customers to help them reach their goals.
Susan Goodwin
Sales Representative
Massachusetts
sgoodwin@simblistgroup.com
508-642-3285
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.
Margaret Krauss
Sales Representative
Connecticut
mkrauss@simblistgroup.com
203-505-4274
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.
Marilyn Marsanskis
Sales Representative
Eastern New Hampshire, Maine
mmarsanskis@simblistgroup.com
207-409-9291
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 O'Malley
Sales Representative
Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod & Islands, Rhode Island
momalley@simblistgroup.com
781-217-8537
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.
Meleah Sellingham
Sales Representative
Eastern New York
msellingham@simblistgroup.com
518-681-6396
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.
Anna Stange
Sales Representative
Western New York
astange@simblistgroup.com
609-310-9404
Anna has worked for over 10 years in the gift and home industry. Her experience as a General Manager and Buyer for a successful retail gallery brings her a unique level of understanding as she partners with her customers. She enjoys analyzing business performance data to create forecasts and goals, and then discovering interesting products that will appeal to the unique shoppers in each store’s market and drive sales. Anna prides herself on being organized and efficient, her customers will love her communication skills!
Each Simblist Group Sales Representative carries a variety of brands and products.
Please enter your zip code to connect with our Sales Rep nearest you.
Our Showroom Team
Leica Vidal
Showroom Manager
lvidal@simblistgroup.com
800-524-1621
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.