A Career of Impact

Celebrating an Incredible Career

We often talk about the idea that our people and our business are constantly growing—we are not the same company we were yesterday.

A prime illustration of this philosophy is Joan Schultz, who is retiring after an incredible 10-year career.

Joan’s journey started on the sewing line and quickly became a go-to leader on our manufacturing team. She is a prime example of a manufacturing career path fueled by personal drive, professional evolution, and impactful teamwork. Her story proves that a career at Clickstop is not just a job; it’s a foundation for both individual and organizational growth.

Manufacturing Her Career Path: From the Sewing Line to Custom Product Specialist

Joan came to Clickstop a decade ago, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in technology. She started on the manufacturing floor, working on the sewing line. Yet, within a year, her calm demeanor and natural leadership qualities made her an informal leader and a go-to resource for others.

Her next chapter began when she was asked to step into a brand-new role to develop our Chain Slings program. As her coworker, Jenny Rapp, recalls, “Joan is the person who made chain slings what it is today. She created the workflow and standard work and was the sole trainer for new hires.”

This was a pivotal move, showcasing Joan’s talent for building order out of new opportunities. This self-awareness, the ability to recognize where her skills could create the biggest impact, is what Jamie Farmer notes as the most outstanding part of Joan’s evolution.

“She’s always been intentional about where her strengths could bring the most value, and because of that, she’s not only grown herself but has created opportunities for others to grow and succeed.” – Jamie Farmer

In 2018, Joan was formally recognized for her impactful leadership when she received the Core Value Award for Expect Greatness in Yourself and Inspire It in Others. Her mindset of expecting greatness was directly reflected in her strategic problem-solving, particularly in advancing our manufacturing capabilities, and it has had a positive influence on those around her.

Her continuous upward trajectory—from the sewing line to leading a key product area, and finally to her current role as Product Specialist—demonstrates how Clickstop enables individual growth and how that growth, in turn, fuels the company’s success.

The Guru of Customization and Speed

There were big changes over Joan’s 10-year career. From a new, upgraded manufacturing addition to tremendous process improvements, which she played a key role in. When asked what brought her the most joy, Joan’s answer was clear: “I’ve really enjoyed making those process improvements and learning all areas of manufacturing.”

As Product Specialist, Joan became the indispensable “NetSuite guru” and the “go-to person” for customized orders. Her work didn’t just maintain the status quo; it fundamentally improved it.

Tim Sanders from the Business Development team highlights that Joan’s impact was felt directly in sales. “There have been countless times where Joan got us a technical answer on a product, a part number, or a sample quickly that impressed the customer and helped us win business.”

• Speed to Win: “A recent example of this was a very large opportunity with a customer that needed to see a sample made a special way. Within minutes, Joan had one made. The customer was wildly impressed because our competitor had taken weeks to get a sample made. In the end, we won the business.”

• Proactive Improvement: “One of my favorite things about Joan is her quickness to say ‘what if?’ and have options in mind. Whether it’s how something’s made, packaged, the process in which it happens, etc. she is always looking for ways to improve things.”

Here are a few other examples her peers shared:

• Solving Chaos with Calm: Jamie Farmer remembers an “impossible task” of updating all NetSuite run rates across different categories. “Joan didn’t even flinch. She dug in, organized the process, and somehow made it all happen seamlessly,” Jamie notes. Her knowledge turned potential chaos into a smooth success.

• Driving Automation: Joan worked directly with our Technology team to implement crucial manufacturing automation, including the printing of specialized sling tags and the creation of custom part request forms in NetSuite.

• Turning Ideas into Reality: Dee Swayze, Manufacturing Production Manager, credits Joan with helping close a lot of sales orders because “she took what were product ideas and turned them into feasible realities for the customer.”

Joan has a valuable ability to break down complex problems and act quickly. That ensured that customers received exactly what they wanted when they needed it (our brand promise). As a result, it also allowed our company to get stronger, more efficient, and more reliable.

A Legacy of Calm, Collaboration, and Purpose

Joan attributes her positive experience to a culture where her “voice is heard” and where she can “collaborate with others.” It’s her spirit of partnership, willingness to help anyone, and innate calm confidence that her teammates will miss most.

“What I’ll miss most about Joan is that she’s always been my calm and patient place to fall… She has a way of bringing clarity to chaos and offering smart, balanced perspectives.” – Jamie Farmer

Joan leaves behind a legacy defined by profound impact and growth—for herself, her team, and Clickstop’s core manufacturing capabilities. She’s looking forward to her well-deserved retirement in Gulf Shores, AL, focused on her dogs, the ocean, and golf. But before she leaves, she had some parting wisdom for her teammates: “Start saving early and don’t put off your dreams.”

We thank Joan for her dedication and problem-solving prowess. She played a foundational role in making our Manufacturing team what it is today. We would not be the same business or the same people without her steady presence and strategic guidance.

Happy Retirement, Joan!