Marilyn Trockel
Account Executive
Loftin & Co.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyntrockel/
1) What does “making your move” mean to you at this stage of your career?
At this stage of my career, “making your move” means leading with intention rather than reacting to opportunity. Early on, making a move meant survival, growth, and proving myself. Today, it means impact. It means using nearly four decades of experience in print to mentor others, elevate the industry, and continue evolving alongside it. It’s not just about advancing personally, it’s about creating opportunity for the next generation and strengthening the organizations I serve.
2) Can you share a moment when you took action that moved your career forward?
One defining moment was in 2006 when I moved from New Jersey to North Carolina with no job and no accounts. I had been in the industry since 1986, starting in a union print shop in Bayonne, NJ, and built my career from the ground up. Moving meant stepping completely outside my comfort zone.
I started at Loftin & Company in sales with a blank slate. No book of business. No guarantees. I relied on relationship building, persistence, and industry knowledge. That move reshaped my career. I went on to become the top salesperson for over 15 years, helping grow the company and build long-standing client partnerships. It proved to me that calculated risk, paired with work ethic, creates opportunity.
3) What helped you recognize the right time to make that move?
The move to North Carolina came shortly after 9/11. Living and working in the New York/New Jersey area during that time deeply shifted my perspective. With young children at home, the environment felt uncertain, and the risk no longer felt worth it for my family. That moment forced me to evaluate what truly mattered: stability, safety, and long-term opportunity.
It wasn’t an easy decision. I was leaving behind familiarity, established relationships, and professional security. But I recognized that sometimes the right time isn’t about perfect career alignment, it’s about aligning your life and your values. I trusted that the experience I had built since starting in a union print shop in 1986 would translate anywhere.
Ultimately, the move wasn’t just about career growth; it was about building a better foundation for my family while still believing in my ability to rebuild professionally. And that belief made all the difference.
4) What advice would you give women in print who are considering their next move?
First, know your value. Print is still a relationship-driven and expertise-driven industry, and experience matters. Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table.
Second, don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Growth happens in the stretch. If you’ve built the skills and the integrity, the confidence will follow the action.
And finally, build relationships intentionally. This industry is smaller than it looks. Reputation, consistency, and follow-through will open doors long before a résumé does.
Your next move doesn’t have to be dramatic, but it should be deliberate.
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