Making a difference in the print world: Tanya Watkins

This article was first published in the May 2021 issue of Australian Printer

From starting off her career in customer service within retail and sales at the tender age of 14, Glue4U managing director Tanya Watkins soon saw the potential of the printing world and made a career switch.

Her introduction into the industry was from her father, Cliff Parsons, who co-founded Glue4U in 2007.

“By the time I turned 20, my husband and I had opened our first business in retail and sales. A few years later, after selling our last retail business, my dad asked me to help out with growing the business of Glue4U,” she said.

“I think it took all of a month before I was hooked on and saw the potential in this very niche part of the industry. I knew this was the industry and kind of business that I had been searching for, so my husband and I invested in Glue4U and began the very steep climb into a very tight knit and ‘clicky’ community.

“I find it very interesting to watch all the cohesive, multi-faceted layers of the business come alive. I am spread across all departments and aspects of the business and I certainly can say I never have two days that are the same.”

Watkins’ work was cut out for her in her early days in the business. She spent years building the company on sheer hard work, dedication and perseverance.

“For many years, we were the last port of call for our trade partners, so I spent many years working and dealing with problems in processes that had been forgotten, left out, or even unfortunately sometimes ignored,” she said.

“I spent a lot of years learning, educating and insisting on our printed matter being supplied to certain specifications to give the best quality finish as possible – it didn’t originally go down too well.

“As a young female in the print industry, I wasn’t taken seriously back then, and often felt the industry perceived me as a person with no experience. In an industry dominated by males, typically with 30 plus years’ experience, I stuck it out.

“Many times, I was laughed at and just down right ignored. It took me years, but eventually I won them over. It was hard work. I made a stance; I made an impact and as a result, we now have a great reputation and our team produces the best quality workmanship.”

Watkins mentioned that to succeed in a male-dominated industry, she had to be bold, vocal and act as an advocate to show that change is a good thing.

“We don’t want world domination; we just want the support and the respect that we have earned. As women, we do have to work twice as hard in such a male-dominated industry to get the recognition afforded to others,” she said.

The career highlight Watkins is most grateful for is being able to work alongside family.

“My father remained with us for many years until he retired. My husband Steve still has the pleasure of working with me every single day and my kids too were dragged along for the ride and spent many late and long hours whilst I made my mark in a male dominated industry,” she said.

However, Watkins said much change has come to the industry since her early days and it is now more receptive to women in print.

“Some aspects of it are still very male dominated, but that too is changing. As a business, we have come a long way too – Glue4U and Pakko, run by two very dominant women, have merged. We aim to lead our combined team to make an impact and to make change. And like us, there are a lot more women in this industry now who are becoming more and more well-respected,” she mentioned.

“It’s all about takingbaby steps; nothing changes overnight. But the more we fight to be heard, to be listened to and to be respected, it most definitely helps pave the way and change some of the stigma that as women, we too can play an important role within this industry.”

With an exceptional network of very strong willed and independent people in her life, Watkins says she finds inspiration in their wisdom. 

“I am surrounded by people that are worthy of my inspiration – my managing partners, my team, and most of all my family. This can be a tough world sometimes, but at the end of the day, there are a lot of people out there doing it tough,” she said.

“So, I count myself as very fortunate, and use that to stay positive and push on to support and be supported by those who I am lucky enough to have in my life.”

Moving forward, some of Watkins’ aims are to grow the business, as well as continue to educate, train and support those around her.

“I want to be able to focus more of my time and energy working on the business rather than in it. My mentors have shown me support, leading by example, and I get the encouragement by the likeminded. I want to be able to pass this on to others in the industry – I want to have the mentality to make change, make a difference and be impactful,” she added.

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