MBN USA

September 10, 2025

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WRMSDC serves Northern California (including Silicon Valley), Nevada and Hawaii

By Zachary Rinkins

 3 Key Takeaways

•  Founded in 1977, WRMSDC serves Northern California (including Silicon Valley), Nevada and Hawaii.
•  WRMSDC small businesses generate more than $21.7 billion in annual sales and contribute $700 million in tax revenue.
•  Larger companies in the WRMSDC ecosystem give back by mentoring and investing in other firms.

As companies nationwide reassess their business priorities, the Western Regional Supplier Development Council (WRMSDC) is making a compelling case for why enterprise partnerships and supplier networks are good for business — and for the broader economy.

“We are at such a turning point now where we need to actually reframe the narrative and how we move forward in helping small businesses to continue to grow and thrive,” said Donna Ruff, WRMSDC’s president and CEO.

Founded in 1977, WRMSDC serves Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii. The Council supports fast-growing, independently owned companies by connecting them with training, strategic relationships, and contract opportunities. The Council’s economic footprint is significant: It generates more than $21.7 billion in annual revenue, supports 800,000 jobs and contributes $700 million in tax revenue from businesses within its network.

“Things are not easy for small businesses in general … with some of the disruption and changes in legislation,” Ruff said.

Based in Oakland, California, WRMSDC’s service area encompasses Silicon Valley, where tech dominates, as well as major industries such as health care, hospitality, construction and entertainment across Nevada and Hawaii. The Council supports a wide range of business owners, but Ruff said the most underused strategy for growth is how businesses support one another.

“The focus for our Council is how do we help these small businesses do better business with one another,” she said. “Since every business naturally operates within capacity constraints, fostering these peer-to-peer relationships becomes even more valuable for building a thriving small business ecosystem that benefits everyone.”

To help companies maximize the benefits of WRMSDC membership, Ruff offered this valuable advice.

“Nurture your network. Be present and participate, virtually or in person,” she said. “And ask for help. If the worst someone can say is ‘no,’ ask anyway.”

Ruff emphasized the virtue of preparation, further charging members to “Prepare. Set yourself up for success by leveraging the tools available to you.”

Why corporations still see the value

She offers a pragmatic, business-first approach for companies navigating legal or reputational risks associated with public-facing partnerships.

“We understand the nature of what is happening,” Ruff said. “So collectively, we work with the corporations that support the organization to understand their pain points and how we create best business practices for them to use going forward.”

WRMSDC’s value proposition for corporations is centered around three core strengths: innovation, supply chain advantage and relationship building.

“These small-business contracts were earned because they were capable businesses — not because of a handout,” Ruff said. “It’s all about supporting small and capable businesses going forward.”

She challenges companies to develop strong relationships with growing business suppliers.

“Participation and the power of intentional connection in these uncertain times is going to be an anchor,” Ruff said. “The Council offers that opportunity to provide proven and profitable best business practices for the corporations and the network.”

How WRMSDC built a $21.7 billion impact

While WRMSDC is headquartered in one of the nation’s most powerful economic regions, Ruff attributes the Council’s success to intentionality and collaboration, not set-asides.

“It is also about the connections that we’re making with these corporations who are vested and interested in growing small businesses,” she said. “We create working groups and committees to discuss what’s valuable to the corporation and the businesses, and then we build our programs accordingly.”

Larger companies in the WRMSDC ecosystem also give back by mentoring and investing in other firms.

“It is cultivating a stronger and sustainable community,” Ruff said. “As a result, it is creating jobs … and is allowing us to generate billions of dollars in impact.”

What’s next? Innovation, training and storytelling

Looking ahead, Ruff said WRMSDC is deepening its commitment to innovation and community-led growth. That includes giving smaller business owners more input and creating training pipelines for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“It is also going to be about economic development and how we train and work with our local communities and cities on job training to grow these businesses and create new opportunities,” she said.

WRMSDC is also exploring new platforms to help companies connect more easily, present themselves more effectively, and tap into regional and global opportunities.

“Our business-to-business network is second-to-none. It is almost like a referral system that helps firms find one another,” Ruff said. “We also encourage them to understand how to work smarter by leveraging technology.”

She said collaboration among organizations will also be key.

“How do we come together and create a better ROI [return on investment] through circular economy practices that not only secure a future with those corporations for long-term support, but also build sustainable value chains where our outputs become inputs for one another?” Ruff said.

Most importantly, she said, small businesses must do a better job of telling their stories.

“We need to tell more of the stories that demonstrate how we’re building a sustainable business ecosystem,” Ruff said. “We have to do a better job of sharing our success stories of small firms partnering with corporations—showing how these relationships create regenerative cycles where economic growth, community development and environmental stewardship reinforce each other. When we celebrate these partnerships that help companies scale sustainably, we’re not just highlighting individual success; we’re modeling how our entire ecosystem can thrive long term through interconnected relationships that benefit all stakeholders.”

To learn more about WRMSDC or to get involved, visit wrmsdc.org.