Tammy Karr's Growth: A Problem-Solver & Powerhouse
If you’ve been around Clickstop for any length of time, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Tammy Karr.
And if you have, you know one thing for sure—she’s a person who makes things happen.
From the moment she walked through our doors in 2012, Tammy has been on a journey of growth, adaptability, and relentless problem-solving. And now, she’s a two-time Rock Star Award winner.
So, how did she get here? Let’s dive in.
The Leap of Faith
Before Tammy became a Clickstop powerhouse, she was navigating a tough decision—leaving behind a 15-year career in fleet management and customer service to find a better work-life balance. As a mom of three, she wanted a career that allowed her to be present for her kids without carrying the stress of work at home.
“I knew I needed something different,” Tammy recalls. “I wanted to be the mom who could show up, be there when my kids needed me.”
Her first encounter with Clickstop? A chance conversation at a baseball concession stand. That led to an invitation to explore job openings, and soon after, she found herself stepping into our office for an interview. But it wasn’t until a family emergency—a long commute, construction delays, and a moment of realization—that she knew she had to make the jump.
“Sometimes with big life decisions, I need to be hit really hard with signs,” Tammy laughs. “That was my sign.”
Rising to Every Challenge
Tammy’s journey at Clickstop has been anything but predictable. Since she started, she has held roles in customer service, freight management, sales, warehouse operations, purchasing, and even marketing. That’s an impressive list!
Tammy’s ability to take on new challenges and immediately make an impact has been a defining trait of her career. Her experience across departments allows her to add value in unique ways, and she never backs down from an opportunity to influence and improve the business.
“Tammy has this incredible ability to see opportunities where others see roadblocks. She’s courageous in tackling problems head-on and always finds a way to make a meaningful impact.” – Monica Funk, Tammy’s current manager
Currently, she’s been straddling two roles—adding value to our Fasteners Plus brand in marketing as a Category Manager and in Purchasing as a Senior Buyer. Does she let that become an excuse or a reason not to jump in and add value? Absolutely not. She’s a mentor for many, a go-to person for answers, and someone who doesn’t let structure or responsibilities get in the way of doing what’s right.
A Rock Star Mindset
Tammy’s ability to build relationships isn’t just what makes her successful—it’s what makes Clickstop better. Her persistence in vendor negotiations has led to major wins for the company. She doesn’t hear “no”; she hears “not right now.”
“When you build strong relationships, help people see what’s in it for them, and stay persistent, things start to shift,” she explains. “Those wins don’t just help the business; they boost all of our ESOP accounts. And that’s my ‘why.’”
Her impact has been measurable, including:
- Getting multiple vendors set up on an automated system that speeds up ordering and reduces manual work, making business smoother for everyone, despite initial refusals.
- Negotiating discounts, significantly increasing margins.
- Securing a 10% discount on stock orders.
But her influence extends beyond business results. It’s about how she gets those results by embodying the Clickstop Code and demonstrating what it means to be:
Courageous: She speaks up when something doesn’t align with our values, challenges the status quo, and ensures integrity in our business practices.
Strategic: Her ability to think ahead and build strong relationships with vendors has led to better deals and a stronger supply chain.
Impactful: She thrives on a large workload, executing flawlessly while streamlining her roles into a more strategic and effective approach.
Enthusiastic: Tammy celebrates wins, encourages her teammates, and ensures that recognition is given where it’s due.
Opportunistic: She quickly identifies ways to make a lasting impact, recently leading a cross-functional team on a project that will shape our manufacturing capabilities in 2025.
Curious & Growth-Minded: Her career at Clickstop has been anything but linear, but every new challenge has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine her approach.
Closing the Loop
Tammy Karr’s story isn’t just about career growth—it’s about embracing change, trusting your team, and finding joy in the journey. Whether she’s negotiating vendor deals, mentoring teammates, or balancing multiple roles, one thing is clear: Our results, our team members, and our business are better because of her.
“Tammy doesn’t just take on challenges—she finds ways to solve them in a way that benefits everyone. She’s a true leader who elevates the team with her strategic thinking and relentless drive.” – Matt Mitchell, Vice President of Brand Development
Congratulations, Tammy!