Other Organizations Timnath
Real community. Real support. Real results.
The Independent Retailers Association (IndERA) is a national organization dedicated to empowering independent retailers through advocacy, education, networking, and strategic growth opportunities. IndERA provides members with resources to enhance their operations, navigate industry changes, and connect with a like-minded community of entrepreneurs. Our mission is to champion the success of small and independent retail businesses, ensuring they thrive in an evolving marketplace.
American Express , Visa , Check , Discover , Invoice , MasterCard
Crystal Vilkaitis, known as The Wolf of Main Street, is the visionary founder of Independent Retailers Association, Rooted in Retail, a brand dedicated to driving the future of independent retail through resilience and innovation. As a thought leader, Crystal also founded Crystal Media, a pioneering company that empowered retailers to harness the power of social media. Today, through Rooted in Retail, her acclaimed podcast, and the annual EVOLVE conference, Crystal leads a new era of retail, equipping businesses with the tools and insights they need to succeed in a dynamic market. An impactful speaker, she has shared stages with industry icons like Martha Stewart, Gary Vaynerchuk, Bethenny Frankel, and Donald Miller, inspiring retailers to embrace growth, transformation, and modern retail strategies. Vilkaitis means Wolf, hence her nickname “The Wolf of Main Street”. 🥰 🐺 You can connect with Crystal on Instagram at @rootedinretailpodcast and @crystalvilkaitis.
Link: Crystal Vilkaitis
After joining the Rooted in Retail/IndERA team in 2019, while fulfilling a lifelong dream of living out west in San Diego, this Pittsburgh native and Steelers die-hard now contributes to IndERA’s growing influence as Business Development Coordinator. With her Marketing and Supply Chain Management degree from the University of Pittsburgh, social media ads management background, speaking engagements experience, and flair for creativity, Maddie’s knowledge of the business from all different angles helps keep our team, clients, and public outreach moving forward. Maddie’s easy-going nature might fool you, but this taco aficionado’s organization, detail-oriented approach, and sharp wit has led to notable client successes as a previous Rooted in Retail Ads Manager-including a 68.7% increase in YTD sales and multiple 10+x return on ad spends-as well as educating and impressing retailer audiences from regional and national stages. Now back in Pittsburgh, Maddie enjoys championing her local small businesses while helping IndERA strengthen its ever-expanding retailer and vendor connections and partnerships.
Link: Maddie Goode
Thrilled to be a part of the Rooted in Retail/IndERA team, Dustin hails from the beautiful landscapes of Upstate New York, and his journey has led him to perfectly sync up with our dynamic company. Dustin stands for creativity, empathy, and working together – qualities that make him a wonderful addition to the team. Dustin’s unique path started with Graphic Design and Human Services before delving into the world of real estate. His flexibility and unwavering commitment allow him to excel in the role of Business Development Coordinator. Dustin’s “all-in” attitude working closely with local businesses reflects the same spirit that drives Rooted in Retail’s mission of boosting retailers through effective social media and digital marketing strategies. Beyond his work experience, Dustin founded The Bruiser Woods Vilkaitis Foundation, which speaks to his empathetic nature and aligns perfectly with our shared goal of nurturing communities. His journey proves that embracing endless possibilities leads to an exciting adventure!
Link: Dustin Peyser
With 20+ years of marketing and IT management in the party supply business, Mike brings a wealth of double-digit YOY growth and experience to the Rooted in Retail/IndERA team. His holistic approach to marketing has included proven email, SMS and multi-platform social media strategies. Mike’s focus on digital sales, efficiencies and metrics analysis is also a key contributor to the business health and customer connection. But don’t let that left brain fool you. Mike’s creative side is ever-present in campaign and content development and enjoys a good team brainstorm. A self-proclaimed simple man with complex tastes, this father of three girls (and an at-home zoo of many furry and feathered friends) is a lover of multiple fandoms-always willing to Boldly Go hunting Horcruxes as long as The Force is with him. He’s happy to share his latest genre-bending read and loves to get lost in a forest of words. You can also catch Mike volunteering with his local Little League Challenger Baseball, which provides a fun and safe environment for children with special needs.
Link: Mike Bolter
This bilingual, East L.A. native prides herself in building strong human, trustworthy connections with her clients, but lets her 10+ years of varied brand and industry experience speak for itself through online profitability, audience engagement, and capturing leads. With the lime green Mac desktop her dad bought her at age 14, Grecia’s start online eventually parlayed into a Cal State Fullerton Communications & Advertising degree. As the mommy of two, she’s also almost certified as a slime master. When forever-fan Grecia’s not at Disneyland parks (or planning for her next visit to the Happiest Place on Earth), chat her up about bears, beets, and Battlestar Galactica to put a smile on her face! Grecia enjoys making philanthropy a mainstay in her life. She volunteers four days per month at two of her local libraries for storybook time, she also assists with immigration translations, and she and her family donate toys and clothes twice a year to refugee centers in Mexico. Additionally, she has a rule that for every gift her children receive, they must donate another one to charity.
Link: Grecia Hernandez
Currently living in the city of Bacoor, Erick is the hardest working team member native to the Philippines! His education in Business Administration from Polytechnic University of The Philippines and impressive management and supervisory roles in the customer service, e-commerce and International Project Management fields led him to a digital researcher position with Rooted in Retail/IndERA. Erick’s penchant for learning, growing with the evolving needs of the company, and innate happy-to-help demeanor made him the perfect fit as our Get Listed Account Manager. Problem-solving, fixing things, and offering solutions for clients and co-workers is Erick’s jam! Outside of work, you can catch this basketball/Lakers-loving fan absorbing the latest YouTube tech news, playing Hearthstone (an online card game), and enjoying every extra minute he can with his growing son. Erick supports ADRA Philippines, a relief agency that assists those affected by disasters and improves social development for vulnerable communities with families living in extreme poverty.
Link: Erick Sapalaran
Currently living in Las Piñas, this movie and TV-loving guru uses his attention to detail as a Get Listed Manager at Rooted in Retail/IndERA. With a knack for tackling intricate challenges and a computer engineering degree from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Marvin approaches every project with a “can-do” attitude and a commitment to delivering excellent results, making him a perfect addition to the IndERA team. Outside of work, you can catch strategic thinker Marvin solving complex puzzles or playing competitive games (including a friendly competition with his brother, Erick, for the title of “Hardest Working IndERA Team Member in the Philippines”). His unique blend of passion, determination, attention to detail, and creative flair allows him to deliver incredible service to his beloved Get Listed clients.
Link: Marvin Sapalaran
This Studio City, California native turned Fort Collins, Colorado resident brings over a decade of marketing expertise and 6+ years of wholesale industry experience to the Rooted in Retail/IndERA team. Kalleigh’s passion for building strong relationships and creating beautiful content makes her a perfect fit as our Content & Community Manager. Her intuitive understanding of brand storytelling and audience engagement consistently delivers authentic connections. Her enthusiasm for the industry is infectious, making her an invaluable resource for our team and clients. When she’s not crafting compelling content, this wife, boy mom, and animal lover enjoys running a full house with two cats, one dog, and a fish. You can often find her coordinating chaos at home, curled up with a good book, practicing yoga at a local boutique studio, exploring new places, or attending concerts with her husband. Kalleigh brings this same vibrant energy and balance to her work, ensuring that IndERAs community thrives through genuine connection and inspired content.
Link: Kalleigh Eisley-Tracy
Loading map...