PaperChain Chats: Sarah Bailey, Athens Paper
PaperChain Chats | NPTA | March 23, 2021
Sarah Bailey’s first exposure to the paper industry was through the TV show “The Office.” Though she loved the show, she didn’t necessarily imagine she would one day find herself working in the industry, too. But her interest in Clemson University’s graphic communications program put her on a path that would lead her to Athens Paper, where she is currently a sales rep in the Atlanta office, she tells NPTA’s Lauren Liacouras in the latest PaperChain Chat.
Bailey was a couple of years into her tenure at Athens when the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March. She says Athens did a great job of pivoting to find new products and ways to reach profitability as the world changed drastically almost overnight.
“Athens did an amazing job keeping stuff in stock and educating us,” Bailey says. “Our leadership did a good job communicating.”
Bailey lauds Athens owner Don Jenkins as well as her colleagues and managers for their leadership and guidance. She says the support she feels within the organization has helped her succeed in her role. On a personal level, Bailey says she tries to show the same support and appreciation for her colleagues who have helped her out.
As a younger member of the industry, Bailey brings a unique perspective to the table. Within NPTA’s Emerging Leaders group, Bailey has the opportunity to meet and work alongside industry peers from different generations. She especially values the opportunity to engage with her fellow Emerging Leaders who have decades of experience in the paper world.
Bailey believes there will continue to be evolutions in the industry over the next few decades, especially as technology advances and machines take on new capabilities. She highlights packaging and wide-format printing as two product areas that can take on greater importance for paper merchants over the coming years.
“I believe if you keep up with the technology and your customers and understand what’s going on in the industry and market … [the industry] will continue to grow and thrive,” Bailey says.