I am bad with new names. And as we are all being introduced to the new head of Go Local, I will repeat her name to all of us: Merith Weisman, Merith Weisman, Merith Weisman. As she now heads the cooperative of more than 400 local businesses in all industries, expect to hear that name oft repeated.
Caught up in the middle of a cost-cutting move to Somo Village Co-Work, Weisman hosted me on Zoom for our first impressions. It was hard not to be charmed by her. Weisman is a grounded, ebullient type that is so rare and refreshing in our anxiety-drenched time. Framed by 10 variations of their now iconic Go Local badge, her messaging surrounded her: “Shop Local!” “Dine Local!” “Dream Local!” and “Sing Local!”
She spoke with an enthusiastic smile as she described the massive challenge of wrestling local buyers back from Amazon and her savvy first moves, including recruiting the losing bidders for her job for pro bono project work, starting a program with Sonoma State student-interns and securing a non-profit partner that will allow the cooperative to receive donations and volunteers.
CH: How has the transition process been? Go Local had become closely synonymous with your predecessor, the sainted Janeen Murray.
MW: The great news is that Janeen has been available, transparent and supportive in a way that I couldn’t have asked for more. I spent several months with Janeen before I technically started, shadowing and learning and grilling her with questions. She will remain with us on the board. It’s been really rewarding getting to know the Go Local members. I have only been welcomed by them. That atmosphere was created before I got here. I inherited it. It’s a massive gift.
CH: The vision is community. Merith, your new staff came with you from Sonoma State University, where you had established their office of community partnerships.
MW: Yes. We were a team from day one.
CH: In addition to your ability to tap the SSU student workforce and academic brain trust, what are the other assets you bring?
MW: I am a true believer in the Local First movement. I’m an exceptionally organized person, a connector and deeply collaborative. And I believe we have everything we need right here. We just need to do a better job of organizing and sharing it.
Learn More. Follow the links to learn reasons for local and how to join the cooperative: linktr.ee/merithweismanLINKS. Go Local.
