Three Decades of Building
Steve Simonson's entrepreneurial journey spans over three decades, during which he has founded, acquired, expanded, and divested multiple ventures across eCommerce, global supply chain, and business technology.
Steve Simonson is a lifetime entrepreneur having founded, purchased, built, and sold numerous companies over the past three decades. His endeavors have garnered significant accolades, including three successive appearances on the Inc. 500 list, multiple recognitions on the Internet Retailer Top 500, Washington State's Fastest Growing Business award, and a finalist position in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Steve's profound expertise as a leader and operator has been demonstrated across numerous enterprises, driving them from startup stages to prosperous exits. His business operations are currently orchestrated through his holdco entity, SYMOGLOBAL.com, which includes his free entrepreneurial support platform and podcast, Awesomers.com, and the exclusive executive training resource group Catalyst88.com.
With over two decades in global supply chain and sourcing, Steve is a seasoned expert who specializes in product sourcing from various countries, including China. His expertise extends to product sourcing at scale, crucial for eCommerce ventures and consumer packaged goods. He shares insights on global product sourcing strategies through various platforms online and from stages around the world.
A Track Record of Excellence
Inc. 500 — 3×
Three consecutive years on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing companies.
Internet Retailer Top 500
Multiple listings recognizing excellence in eCommerce operations and growth.
WA Fastest Growing
Washington State's Fastest Growing Business award, recognizing exceptional regional impact.
EY Finalist
Finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
302+ Podcast Episodes Hosted
Host of the Awesomers podcast (2018–2026) — one of the largest operator-focused education archives in ecommerce.
Featured on Top Industry Podcasts
Guest on Helium 10's Serious Sellers, Lunch With Norm, Seller Sessions, Buy Box Experts, and Maximizing Ecommerce.
Global Conference Speaker
Featured at European Seller Conference, Billion Dollar Seller Summit, Prosper Show, 7 Figure Seller Summit, and more.
Founder Ecosystem Builder
Founder of Catalyst88, Awesomers, Parsimony, and Symo Global — a comprehensive ecosystem serving entrepreneurs globally.
The Journey So Far
The Entrepreneurial Spark
Steve's entrepreneurial journey begins in the late 1980s, when the first spark of business ownership ignites. This period marks the foundation of his lifelong commitment to building and scaling ventures.
Heavy Operator Learning
The early 1990s become Steve's intensive learning ground as an operator. He dives deep into business operations, supply chain, and the fundamentals of scaling — lessons that would shape every venture to follow.
Retail Success & Top 25 Franchise Placement
Steve enters the retail space and achieves remarkable success, securing a Top 25 placement in a major USA franchise — a milestone that demonstrates his ability to build and scale operations at a national level.
Navigating the Dot-Com Bust
While many businesses faltered during the dot-com crash, Steve adapted and evolved, building resilience and a deep understanding of market cycles.
Inc. 500 Recognition
Steve's companies earn three consecutive years on the Inc. 500 list, alongside multiple listings on the Internet Retailer Top 500 and Washington State's Fastest Growing Business award.
Through the Housing Crash
The 2008 financial crisis tests every entrepreneur. Steve navigates through it, reinforcing his belief in systems-driven businesses that can weather any storm.
Going Global with Symo Global
Steve deepens his expertise in global supply chain and product sourcing, founding Symo Global to help entrepreneurs navigate international sourcing at scale.
Building the Ecosystem
Steve launches Awesomers, Catalyst88, and the Chairman's Circle program — creating a comprehensive ecosystem to support entrepreneurs at every stage.
Parsimony & the Systems Revolution
Steve spearheads Parsimony, a comprehensive ERP platform that embodies his philosophy: systems should run the business while people run the systems.
Retirement 2.0
Steve's 'Retirement 2.0' philosophy means focusing only on work that brings real value — keynote speaking, advisory roles, and building initiatives that empower entrepreneurs globally.
Principles That Guide the Work
Systems Over Hustle
Steve believes that sustainable businesses are built on robust systems, not endless hustle. His philosophy: systems run the business, people run the systems.
Entrepreneurs Are Never Alone
In Steve's world, entrepreneurs are always welcome and never alone. His mission is to create communities and resources that make the entrepreneurial journey less isolating.
Value Over Volume
Retirement 2.0 is a mindset: do fewer things, but do them with greater impact. Steve focuses exclusively on initiatives that create lasting, meaningful value.
Resilience Through Cycles
Having navigated the dot-com bust, the 2008 crash, and multiple market disruptions, Steve brings hard-won wisdom about building businesses that endure.