Business Development and Partnerships Coordinator

Hakuna Matata Vibes (HMV) is a California-based regenerative lifestyle and social-impact business bringing together conservation, creativity, wellness, community, sustainable products, education, and experiences. Current areas of growth include eco-friendly stationery and wedding products, corporate gifting and custom business products, school fundraising, workshops and events, wholesale/retail partnerships, and regenerative travel and conservation experiences, particularly in the Philippines.

I am looking for a proactive, relationship-driven Business Development & Partnerships Coordinator who can help turn HMV's growing number of leads, projects, and partnership opportunities into consistent revenue and long-term relationships.

This person will be responsible for researching qualified opportunities, conducting email and phone outreach, following up consistently, developing partnerships, booking meetings, maintaining a sales pipeline/CRM, and helping move opportunities from initial contact through proposals and sales. Initial priorities will include:

• Weddings and events — following up with wedding fair leads and developing relationships with wedding planners, venues, coordinators, and other wedding professionals for HMV's sustainable hemp-paper invitations, stationery, favors, and related products.
• Corporate gifting and business solutions — pursuing companies, promotional-product agencies, event planners, and organizations interested in custom stationery, branded products, sustainable gifting, and workshops.
• Wholesale and retail — identifying and contacting museums, gift shops, visitor centers, conservation organizations, and specialty retailers that could carry HMV products.
• School fundraising and education — developing relationships with schools, PTAs/PTOs, educators, and youth organizations for HMV's fundraising programs, workshops, educational products, and activity books.
• Partnerships and events — identifying relevant business events, wedding fairs, conferences, vendor opportunities, conservation partnerships, speaking opportunities, and other strategic collaborations.
• Philippines and regenerative experiences — as the role develops, assisting with research, outreach, and partnership development related to HMV's conservation-focused travel experiences and regenerative projects in the Philippines.

The coordinator should maintain an organized pipeline showing each opportunity, contact information, status, last contact, next action, potential value, and follow-up date.

HMV already has separate administrative/VA support, so this role should be primarily focused on business development, relationship building, outreach, follow-up, and revenue generation rather than general administrative work.

The ideal candidate should have excellent written and spoken English, strong communication and relationship-building skills, and experience with business development, sales, partnerships, lead generation, or client outreach.

I am specifically looking for someone who is proactive and comfortable taking initiative rather than waiting for detailed instructions. They should be comfortable researching decision-makers, sending professional outreach emails, making phone calls, following up consistently, scheduling meetings, and maintaining an organized sales pipeline. Experience working with U.S.-based businesses or clients is strongly preferred.

Experience or interest in sustainability, conservation, social enterprise, weddings/events, corporate gifting, retail/wholesale, education, fundraising, hospitality, tourism, or the Philippines would be particularly valuable.

The person should be relationship-oriented rather than using aggressive sales tactics and should understand how to represent a mission-driven brand professionally.

Values alignment is critical. Looking to hire for this role within 2-3 months, possibly sooner. Peace and blessings.