Karlien Murray Business Development Representative, Mereciusa
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlien-murray
What do you do?
I am the business development representative for a woman-owned company MereCi USA. The distributor of luxury cover materials to North America manufactured in Italy by Manifattura del Seveso Spa for over 100 years.
I take great delight in connecting with creatives and visionaries, delving into their imaginative concepts and meticulously formulating precise product specifications tailored to fit their brief. It goes beyond merely suggesting the right product; it’s an exploration of the tangible and visual elements that intricately weave enchantment into each project, forming a captivating tapestry to leave a lasting impression through the final product.
My passion for paper, print, and materials is an ongoing adventure, constantly uncovering the latest trends, innovations, and eco-friendly options in the ever-evolving worlds of publishing, finishing, and packaging. I am not just a representative; I am a curator of textures, colors, and finishes, guiding selections of materials to seamlessly harmonize with the overarching aesthetic and purpose of the project.
Collaboration is at the heart of what I do. Working closely with designers, agencies, printers, finishers, manufacturers, and suppliers, I strive to strike the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. Effective communication is pivotal in this collaborative journey of defining precise product specifications. I leverage my background in technical, creative, business, and sales to function as a valuable resource.
My role is a commitment to transforming visions into tangible, touchable realities. It’s a journey of cultivating a profound appreciation for the boundless creative possibilities within the substrates and materials available through our products to the industry.
There is nothing more gratifying than being involved in the evolution of tangible products from concept to final finish. The ultimate goal is for quality and sustainability to become the most important questions to answer when selecting materials.
What investments have you made in your professional career development?
I bought a pro lab.
So, there I was, fashionably late to the print and paper party in my early 30’s. But it has been (and continues to be) one hell of a ride!
When my children were born, I decided to step down from my role as a representative within South Africa’s education, training, and quality assurance framework.
Looking for something to fill the void left by my previous executive positions, I found photography and quickly immersed myself as a student, assistant, and business owner in this field. I could never just do anything halfway or as a hobby.
However, I realized that my love of the creative community was the people and not necessarily the craft. My husband was the one who asked the question that changed my life and the trajectory of my journey: “If you were a man on the moon and could be or do anything. No financial, qualification or experience limitations, what would that be?”. As a photographer, I enjoyed going to the lab the most. So the answer was to be a lab owner – naturally. We bought a small and struggling professional print lab that specialized in printing on fine art and photographic silver halide paper.
Little did I know, the industry was a testosterone-fueled rollercoaster of politics. Men were everywhere, pulling levers and pushing buttons like they owned the place (because they did). But, hey, I was too busy rocking my world to notice. Nobody told me the print industry at that time could be a bit of a boy’s club. Nah, I still made friends with a small select group of them and I still count them as my friends today.
I had no print experience and had to rely on common sense and Google to get me through each day. My motto? “Suck it up, cupcake. You got this.” I did a lot of watching and learning from around the corner during the day. At night, I would practice until just before sunrise, go home, shower, and do it all again. 7 days a week.
One of my salesmen of photographic paper took me to lunch about 3 months into this venture and said, “You’re the lone wolf, lady. People are just waiting for you to trip and fall. This isn’t a game for women.” My response? “Oh snap. Hold my beer.”
Fast forward a few years, and our lab went from being a thorn in competitors’ sides to a heavyweight contender. We became one of the largest national photographic and fine art accounts to my suppliers and upset the “way we do things” in the most delightful, fulfilling, and rewarding way. I had finally found my stride and was respected and loved for my technical knowledge, superior print quality, exceptional product development, customer service, and friendship with every creative that supported us. Even some who did not buy from us.
What investments have you made in your personal development?
Always look for the next adventure and always learn.
The choice to uproot our lives in our early 40s, hauling along two teenagers over continents, is a story bordering on madness in itself. Nonetheless, my husband and I bought another print business and landed in Fort Worth in 2019 to run it. Operating my lab with a seven-hour time difference from Texas, I delved into the world of sign printing, installation, and a list of other roles too many to mention. And again “Oh snap” – talk about the previous 13 years just scratching the surface on paper and print knowledge.
Within the first two years, it hit me – we made an excellent team in marriage, but our collaboration in the same business wasn’t as seamless. Enter another “Man on the Moon” moment. I was going to work for a Paper Merchant, specifically Clampitt Paper Company, and that was the goal. Their philosophy resonated with me, I held them in high regard as a supplier, and I wanted to be part of a company where people planted roots for two decades or more. I was an unknown in the industry here, facing the challenge of a seemingly slim chance to make this happen.
Undeterred, I set the search alert on a job site for Clampitt Paper, patiently waiting for an opportunity that was not accounting or logistics. Four “Red Letter Days” waited for me:
1. The conversation with the COO Andrew Snyder after I applied for the junior sales trainee position
2. Meeting Mr. Don Clampitt and Meredith Clampett Whaley for my interview
3. Becoming a Specifications rep for Clampitt Paper
4. Living the dream as the Business development rep for MereCiUSA
Cheers to breaking molds and being the best paper and print person you can be – man or woman.
How can the industry proactively invest in women, and why should this be a priority?
Investing in women in the print industry isn’t just a social obligation – it’s a calculated business move. By actively promoting gender diversity and inclusion, companies can tap into a wider talent pool, fostering innovation and improving decision-making. It’s not about being a progressive employer; it’s about making pragmatic choices that enhance overall business performance. Prioritizing equal opportunities, accommodating work-life balance, and nurturing female leadership isn’t merely about fairness—it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. The idea that ink has an affinity or paper preference for a specific gender is ridiculous. In essence, investing in women isn’t a frivolous gesture; it’s a strategic necessity for sustained success in the print sector to attract talent and skill that will surprise and delight.
1. Make sure everyone gets a fair shot at training and career growth.
2. Set rules that keep hiring, promotions, and pay fair for everyone.
3. Support programs that include women at all levels.
4. Build a culture that welcomes different perspectives and experiences.
5. Invest in programs to help women learn and grow in the industry.
6. Connect women with mentors and networking for career moves.
7. Offer flexible work setups, like remote options and maternity leave.
8. Teach and push women to step up into leadership roles.
9. Spot and guide talented women for future leadership gigs.
10. Help balance work and life with things like childcare support.
11. Keep an eye on pay gaps and fix them regularly.
12. Jump into industry efforts for more diversity.
13. Speak up for policies that help women rise in their careers.
14. Shout out and celebrate the wins of women in print.
15. Put out role models that show women can rock it in this field.
16. Spread the word about why having diverse teams is a smart move.
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