Catherine Ripley is a trailblazing entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for women in technology and business. Overcoming immense personal challenges—including homelessness as a young mother—she defied the odds to build a thriving career and launched Symplicity Communications at age 39 with no prior entrepreneurial experience. Under her visionary leadership, the company has grown exponentially, securing landmark technology sector deals and nearly doubling its revenue in the past year alone.

Ripley, whose company is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., answered questions from MSP Summit and Channel Partners Conference content leader Bob DeMarzo about her company and the technical advisor (TA) landscape.

Channel Partners: You founded Symplicity Communications in 2007. What inspired you to start the company, and how has your vision evolved over the past 18 years?

Catherine Ripley: In 2007, I founded Symplicity Communications with the belief that technology procurement should be easier. At the time, I saw a gap in the market where companies were underserved and often left behind in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. I wanted to create a company that not only helped clients navigate complex procurement processes but that could also help with implementation and getting the invoices right.

Over the past 19 years, our vision has grown in step with the industry. While I began by simplifying telecom services selling DSL and PRIs, we've evolved into a full-spectrum technology advisory firm focused on enhancing digital and customer experiences, driving innovation, and securing critical systems. Our work now includes cloud, mobility, cybersecurity, and AI-enabled solutions—all while maintaining a client-first mindset. Additionally, we've expanded into the government space by creating a government practice to help federal and SLED markets optimize their technology budgets and incorporate modern technologies.

Catherine Ripley

Channel Partners: Your company specializes in enhancing customer and digital experiences while ensuring cybersecurity. How do you balance these priorities when advising clients?

Ripley: For Symplicity, it starts with something essential: listening to the customer. We recognize every organization has different goals, risks, and user experiences, and our job is to help them find the right balance between innovation and protection.

My team works closely with clients to understand what digital experience they want to create—whether it's increased revenues, better user experiences (both internal and external), or faster access to cloud resources—and then we ensure that cybersecurity is not an afterthought, but an integrated part of the solution. It's about making security a foundational part of the design, so the customer experience isn't compromised, but rather strengthened by the trust and reliability it brings.

Channel Partners: As a Certified Women Owned Business and Diverse Business Enterprise, how has this positioning influenced your company culture and business approach?

Ripley: Being a Certified Women Owned Business and Diverse Business Enterprise has been both a point of pride and a powerful driver of how we operate. In a male-dominated tech industry, creating space—not just for myself, but for other women on my team and across the industry—has been a core focus from day one.

This positioning has influenced our culture in meaningful ways: we prioritize inclusivity, value diverse perspectives, and foster a workplace where every voice is heard. It's not just about checking a box—it's about creating an environment where innovation is fueled by difference, and where mentorship, growth, and leadership opportunities are accessible to all. Our business approach reflects this same philosophy: we strive to partner with organizations that share our values and actively seek out ways to uplift underrepresented voices in tech.

Channel Partners: What industry trends are you most excited about right now?

Ripley: Right now, I'm most excited about the convergence of AI, automation, and actionable data. These technologies are transforming the way businesses operate, at a pace that's never before been possible. It's allowing for faster decision-making, more personalized customer experiences, and smarter resource allocation. AI, in particular, is reshaping everything from cybersecurity to customer engagement, and we're just beginning to scratch the surface of its potential.

Channel Partners: Besides AI, what trends are you watching?

Ripley: I'm also energized by the continued push toward mobility and flexible work environments. The demand for seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity is driving innovation across the board, and its opening doors for advisors like us to lead conversations that impact both technology and organizational culture. It's a thrilling time to be at the intersection of tech and transformation.

Channel Partners: Symplicity is celebrating significant milestones in 2025, including opening a new office in Grand Rapids. Can you share the story behind this expansion and what it represents for your company's trajectory?

Ripley: The expansion into our new office space in 2025 was an unexpected but incredibly meaningful milestone for Symplicity. It all began when the landlord from our previous space approached me with a unique opportunity. A beautiful, historic building in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids had become available—and it came with something I had always dreamed of—building naming rights.

The moment I walked through the space, I knew it was the right move. It perfectly represented the evolution of our company -- bold, future-forward, and deeply rooted in community. This new location is more than just an office—it's a symbol of growth, presence, and our commitment to being a leader in the technology advisory space. It also opens doors for greater visibility and collaboration, as we continue to support our clients through digital transformation and innovation.