Kicking off week 13 of our Meet the Team series are Donnie Martin, director of sales and marketing, and Becky Wills, national account manager for Keller Williams Realty. As a leader, Donnie works closely with each part of our team to make sure Magnets USA is heading in the right direction. Outside of work, Donnie is a father of two boys and a die-hard South Carolina Gamecocks fan. A member of our team for almost a decade, Becky's intense dedication to our customers is inspiring. You'll often find Becky traveling around the country to different trade shows, because for her, nothing beats meeting with our customers face-to-face. Donnie MartinHow long have you been with Magnets USA? Six years. What’s the most rewarding part of the job? While Magnets USA is a place of learning, creativity and some of the best clients and co-workers you could ever want, I would have to say the best part is working with my wife. Does that keep me out of the dog house, honey? What does a typical day at the office look like? My day generally consists of seeking the most effective way to support our Magnets USA family in providing our clients a quality buying experience. If you could choose anyone dead or alive, who would you pick as your mentor? My father and both of my grandfathers. I lost each of these role models before age five. Don't get me wrong, my mother and many great male role models have provided great inspiration to me, but I would've loved to have had their influence in my life. If you could only work on one project for the next year, what would it be? Streamlining our website. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person? Most recently, I have seen a friend of mine battle a horrific illness. As I reflect on the challenges she and her family have faced, I'm reminded of the grace that is provided for us each day. It’s easy to forget with all of our the day-to-day activities how precious life is and how fortunate we are to have each day. Becky Wills How long have you been with Magnets USA? Nine years, with one year off to care for my parents before they passed away. What's the best part of the job? Everything — I love what I do! That makes it better than a "just a job." I love when a customer thanks me for helping them, or when I get a call from a new customer due to a referral. Realtors say all the time that the highest compliment they can receive is a referral from a past client, and I know how strong and meaningful this statement really is. What does a typical day at work look like? Coffee, clock in and then help our fantastic customers with whatever their needs may be. When I clock out, I'm wishing there were more hours in the work day — except on Fridays! What's your greatest accomplishment? I have been blessed with a lot of accomplishments: I was the first female in the Service and Warranty department of a local fire truck manufacturer. A female telling a fire chief what's wrong with his new fire truck? I loved it! But most of all, I'm proud of raising my family with strong ethics and values handed down from my parents and seeing those being passed on to my grandchildren. Being told by my granddaughter that her mom is so much like me is priceless! If you could give one piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be? In business, always look at things in two different ways — first from the customer's point of view and then from the company's, keeping the customer's best interest in mind. Without the customers, there would not be a company. What are some of your favorite hobbies? I don't have much time for hobbies, but home-style cooking is one thing I love! I also cross-stitch when I have time, mostly in the winter. Oh, and a quick Candy Crush fix or jigsaw puzzle every day! Who's had the biggest influence on your life? My mom and dad. Dad's advice: Always treat others the way you would want to be treated, and if you fall, get up, try again and make it right. He didn't believe in the word failure. There are other pieces of advice from him, but I don't think I should post those here — he had a great sense of humor! Mom's advice: Be nice! She was a dearly loved, sweet lady. They say everything is bigger in Texas. That certainly rings true for Keller Williams Mega Camp, a dynamic conference for top-producing real estate agents, brokers and owners from around the word. Held each year in Austin, Mega Camp also welcomes hundreds of vendors that culminate in a high-energy Mega Market. For 15 years, Magnets USA has been a proud participant and a Keller Williams-approved vendor. Last week, several members of our sales and marketing teams flew down to the Live Music Capital, ready to help out agents with our magnetic marketing products and LifeLong Cutlery. Celebrating its Mega Camp debut, LifeLong Cutlery was received with open arms. So here are a few important things we took away from the show:
Mark Willis (center), CEO of Keller Williams Realty and LifeLong Cutlery user, poses with Cutlery Specialist Daniel Turner (left) and Magnets USA founder Dale Turner. Free handle engraving was a show hit.
This week, we're celebrating two of our creative masterminds, Katy Adkins and Ray Samonte. Learn a little about what these dedicated graphic designers love doing on and off the clock. Katy AdkinsHow long have you been with Magnets USA? Eight years in October. What’s the most rewarding part of the job? I love getting feedback from customers praising a design I created or had a hand in. What does a typical day at work look like? I have the pleasure of using my creativity every day to create designs for the company and for our customers. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on? My husband and I went to the Grand Canyon on our honeymoon five years ago. It was truly unbelievable, breathtaking and an experience I will never forget. How would spend an unexpected day off? I would spend it with my three-year-old son, Ace, making sure we included his favorite things — the park, trains and ice cream! Ray SamonteHow long have you been with Magnets USA? Exactly one year and two days. What's the best part of the job? Having a chance to do what I love to do, which is being creative. My co-workers are pretty cool, too. Also, Friday lunches. What does a typical day in the office look like? Clock in. Brew some coffee. Make proofs while listening to some fantasy football podcast. Brew more coffee. Make proofs while listening to some music on Spotify, Pandora or iHeart radio. Eat lunch. Brew more coffee and maybe grab some candy from Tara's desk. Do more proofs. Clock out. What’s the best adventure you’ve been on? Traveling to Egypt. Aside from fulfilling my childhood dream of riding a camel, I had a chance to experience Egypt's culture, meet the people, taste the food, learn more of their very rich history and see some really, really, really old stuff. What brought you to Roanoke? I moved here to be closer to family. What are some of your interests outside of work? Aside from design, I love watching and playing sports, reading about new gadgets and apps, camping and fishing. This week, meet Brian Yufer, a hardworking member of our production team. From handling the printers and cutters to carefully packaging your order, our production team is the best — and it shows. Brian YuferHow long have you been with Magnets USA? Just over 10 years. I'm looking forward to 10 more great years! What’s the best part of the job? The great group of people I get to work with. What’s the best way to spend the weekend? Being outdoors. Hiking, the lake, cookouts, random road trips to nowhere. Unless it's cold out. Then it's staying in and hibernating. Unless there's a snowman to be built. If you could give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be? Three things come to mind.
What’s one of your favorite childhood memories? Riding around town on the back of my grandfather's bicycle. Not only are we celebrating the tenth week of our Meet the Team series, but today marks 11 years at Magnets USA for graphic designer Linda Blake. Congratulations to this inspiring, dedicated woman! So this week, meet Linda , who works hard to create designs that fit each of our customer's business needs and personality. Linda Turner How long have you been with Magnets USA? 11 years — it has flown by! What’s the best part of the job? When I see designs and products on our website that I created in years past. It’s nice to know that our customers are still choosing them. What's one of your favorite childhood memories? When I was in the fifth grade, my oldest sister let me wear one of her necklaces to school for the very first time. She was always doing something very special for me, and this was no exception. On the way to school, though, I accidentally broke the necklace. I worried all day that my sister was going to be upset with me. When I went home, my sister met me in the hallway by my room. She saw by the look on my face that something was wrong, so she asked if I was okay. I broke down in tears and told her how sorry I was that I'd broken her necklace. Instead of being mad, she hugged me and told me the necklace could always be replaced. She reminded me that day why she was so special to me. She is one of the sweetest people I know. I am very blessed to have such a sweet, forgiving sis. What do you love most about your family? My family is very large. My sisters and I don't always see eye to eye, but we do agree that family is important. The older I get, the more I realize that my family will always be there for me when everyone else walks away. What's one thing you're looking forward to this year? I'm looking forward to my daughter receiving her Ph.D. in mathematics from NC State. |