Such Great Heights
Kimberly Suchy, 37
Marketing and Account Manager
Royal, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Her big break: I was hired by Royal in May 2001, right after I graduated from college. I was referred to the position by Debbie Koep, who is a long-time employee of Royal and still works there today. I started as an internal sales representative and over time was given the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and advance into the position I hold today. As a marketing and account manager, my duties are to maintain and grow business with specific key accounts, spearhead our marketing efforts, serve on our process improvement and management committees, and supervise our internal sales team. I am fortunate to work for a company that has given me opportunities to advance and grow, in an industry that is always changing.
Why she loves the industry: What I love most about this industry is the people. I think the longevity of the people that work in this industry is very unique and allows you to form true relationships not only with clients, but also with co-workers and vendors. Recently, there has been more emphasis on forming strategic partnerships, which I believe is vital for long-term success in the print industry. As a manufacturer, our greatest successes come from working as a resource for our distributor partners. There is no better feeling than working closely with one of our distributor partners to help them land a new piece of business, or helping a co-worker figure out a solution to a project.
Her backup career: I would probably be working in a sports-related field. After I graduated from college, I intended to go into sports marketing, but decided to accept the position at Royal, instead. Now, 15 years later, I’m still very happy to be here.
Her leadership style: My leadership style is to help others be successful, and to strive to transform a team that is strong into a team that is superb by utilizing everyone’s strengths. I understand that everyone is different, and that, as a leader, it is important to help each individual achieve success and happiness based on those individual strengths. I also strive to lead by example by taking ownership of what I do, and by being honest and loyal. I also enjoy working with members of other departments to find ways that we can continue to improve.
Her biggest career influence: Since Royal has been my only employer since college, I would have to say Tim Urness, my supervisor and president of Royal. He has taught me the importance of adapting, always striving to improve and expecting to find ways to grow. He strives to make decisions that are in the best interest of Royal’s employees and customers, and he has shown me the philosophy that it takes to be a successful leader in this industry.
Her advice for those starting out: Relationships make all the difference, not only with your clients but also with your co-workers and vendors. This will allow you to have several resources that you trust. Also, I think that most print buyers now expect quality, so they don’t buy what you sell. They are going to buy what has value to them. In the print market, I think there is still a lot of business out there for those who are willing to put in the time and the effort. We need to be innovative in the sales process to solve problems and continue to look for better ways to meet the needs and goals of our clients. As a manufacturer, we do this by investing in the latest technology, adding new products, improving our quality control processes and being a resource for our customers.
What she does for fun: My 8-year-old twin daughters, Olivia and Violet, keep me pretty busy. I also enjoy reading, and am an avid sports fan.
Rich Bewley, 29
Co-owner
Proforma Signature Solutions, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio
His big break: Working with my dad for my Friday night football allowance! My dad [Dennis Funk] was the owner of Proforma Signature Solutions, and, in my senior year of high school, I began working in the family business. I started working with clients in the painting, furniture and retail industries by hand-inserting mailing projects, kitting signage and distributing them to various locations. On the weekends and after school, I’d work to ensure I had “hang out” money, which introduced me to this world.
Why he loves the industry: I love having the opportunity to bring solutions to customers that positively impact their results and, most importantly, their day. For example, one of our clients, a major gasoline and convenience store chain, is partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network. [It] wanted to run a campaign that would generate funds for the hospital system, and Proforma took that mission to a whole new level. We helped develop an online store to collect orders. We enhanced the products and added universal teddy bears from Vitronic. Our client rolled out the platform and received a great response from employees, raised funds beyond [its] goal and generated a great experience for local kids going through health challenges. It was awesome bringing the client a concept, system and a means for executing the project with little required attention or tasks for [its] team.
His backup career: I’d be a police officer or an athletic agent. Depends on how I’m feeling.
His leadership style: Hopefully one who leads by example, with as little words as possible.
His biggest career influence: Joey Klinger, [strategic business development] for SanMar. I appreciate his sincere passion for servicing and supporting his clients. He amazes me with his ability to create friends with random acts of kindness rather than always worrying about his sales numbers.
His advice for those starting out: Care more about the client than yourself.
What he does for fun: Spending time with my wife and hanging out with my little man playing basketball.
Marne Slack, 32
Manager, Sales
Navitor, North Mankato, Minn.
Her big break: Shortly before spring break of my senior year at Winona State University, I responded to a newspaper advertisement for an executive assistant position at Taylor Corporation, headquartered in North Mankato, Minn. I began my career at Taylor Corporation just three days after my college graduation. For the next four years, I was responsible for supporting daily operational and administrative functions, engaging with several key leaders and learning firsthand, about the corporation and the overall printing industry. I also provided oversight for several leadership-related events and the management of a sales-based program. In 2007, I was presented with an opportunity to join the corporate communications team, where I assisted in the development and facilitation of brand management; executed business branded communication and the development and evolution of online strategies for our intranet and external websites. In 2012, I was approached to lead and manage account services and business development efforts for the strategic accounts customer channel at Navitor. Today, I’m incredibly fortunate to work side-by-side with a professional team [that] assesses the unique needs of resellers and identifies solutions of benefit and value to help support their customers.
Why she loves the industry: As a young person, consumer and leader, the thing I love most about this industry is seeing how connecting traditional print and new technologies, coupling ink and paper with pixels, can make business communications come alive.
Her backup career: I’ve developed a multifaceted and rewarding career path, and feel that my strengths and qualities have influenced several strategic and sales growth-related initiatives. If I wasn’t where I am today, I’d be sharing ideas, collaborating, building relationships and executing on business strategies in a customer-facing or leadership role within the health care or hospitality industries.
Her leadership style: I’ve had the opportunity to work with an exemplary team who provides consultative expertise and creates a client experience for our reseller partners that stands above the rest. As a coach, visionary and leader, I thrive when I can help others see new ways of thinking, provide concrete and actionable feedback, and collaborate together strategically. When I’ve done this, I am witness to the personal development and enjoy sharing in the accomplishments of my team—and it makes those coaching moments absolutely worth it.
Her biggest career influence: Todd Alexander, the executive who I supported at Taylor Corporation when I was first hired, really influenced me. My second professional interview was with Todd; our discussion covered situational and behavior-based questions and the review of several charts and diagrams. Following my two-hour interview, I knew immediately that Todd and I would complement each other well and be a good fit. Todd saw something and took a chance and offered me the opportunity a few weeks following my interview. Throughout my tenure, I’ve leaned on Todd for support, shared ideas and have sought best practices. After 29 years in the print industry, Todd is now the founder and principal consultant at Cornerstone 3, a coaching firm designed to help individuals to achieve breakthrough results. He certainly helped me do the same, and I am forever changed.
Her advice for those starting out: The best advice that I would give to someone just starting in the industry would be to learn by researching, educating and asking questions. Those, coupled with networking, will lead to a successful career within the industry. You never know when you’ll be called upon to help out a customer in an urgent situation—it happens.
What she does for fun: Two years ago, I established a home-based craft business, maker.inspired., and enjoy expressing ideas and creativity through projects. My husband, Justin, and I have two dogs and enjoy time spent outdoors, camping in our pop-up camper during the summer months, biking and connecting with our family and friends.