What Exactly does SDSI do? (September Newsletter)
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This is the most frequently question I get. I have struggled with all kinds of responses. Recently our friend and member Daniel Lozier at Primary Funding Corp posed a few questions like this to Renne Catalano Gussman. Her complete interview is here
But let me share a few answers from someone who really gets it…Renne:
"My name is Renne Catalano Gussman and I am the Director of Business Development and Membership Services. I have the greatest job in the world because I get to work with our community of Sport Active Lifestyle and Healthy Living business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs to help them reach their goals and their businesses thrive."
Can you please tell us more about SDSI? What does the organization do?
"SDSI is a nonprofit focused on making San Diego the capital of the Sports, Active Lifestyle, and Healthy Living (SAL) community. We have created a business community of entrepreneurs, founders, community, and business leaders to support the growth of the SAL industry. The consequence of our community is the San Diego Lifestyle we all live and love. Our community is comprised of 125 member companies and nearly 100 volunteer Mentors. We work with companies of all sizes including young companies that are just getting started, to larger companies like Sun Bum, Taylor Made, Reef, Sony, Padres, and everything in between. We talk a lot about the power of community and SDSI exists to harness the collective knowledge and resources to the benefit of our members and the industry. More specifically, we offer programs and services that facilitate knowledge sharing, executive learning, cross-vertical collaboration, and business mentoring."
What else would you like people to know about SDSI?
"Our people are what makes SDSI so amazing. We are a community of individuals that all care deeply about San Diego, our Active Lifestyle, and supporting one another in reaching goals. It’s an eclectic group – that is for sure – that is overflowing with deep industry experience, knowledge, and the willingness to share those experiences to help others make fewer mistakes. Our mentoring programs are possible due to the dedication of nearly 100 executive-level mentors that donate thousands of consulting hours each year… Incredible! And all this happens within the realm of Sports, Active Lifestyle, and Healthy living… it doesn’t get much better than that!"
