ANNUAL WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Q-AND-A’s WITH SOME OF THE AREA’S LEADING WOMEN
Name: Susan McCarty
Job Title: President
Company name: Franklin Printing
Company address: 170 East Commerce Drive, Franklin, IN 46131
Family: I have an awesome husband of 25 years and business partner, Drew, an adult son, Travis McCarty, who is a student in college studying high performance engineering, and an adult daughter, Heather Falks, who is married, a student in law school, and mother of my 2 grandchildren, Hunter and Peyton Falks.
Educational background: IUPUI – Liberal Arts and Business
Employment background: I began my entrepreneurial journey in the early 80′s earning my Real Estate Broker’s license and working in our family real estate business getting my first experiences with asset management, business finance and administration. In the late 80′s my husband, Drew, and I started, operated and after 6 years sold our first company, Meditech. Following that successful venture we concluded we enjoyed working together and decided in the mid 90′s to start another company in a different industry – printing! We started this company in the garage of our home, expanding quickly into a small warehouse with retail frontage then tripled our size through the acquisition of Franklin Printing. We are now located in a modern building that we own and have exciting plans for more growth in the coming year.
Organizations: Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce; Franklin Chamber of Commerce: National Association of Women Business Owners: Community Church of Greenwood; Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors: National Association of Realtors; Graduate; Leadership Johnson County.
What do you like most about your job or career field? I enjoy watching my staff work with clients through the entire creative process. Beginning with the initial design conception, through refining and proof analysis, to witnessing the first images coming off the equipment, and finally in bindery watching as it all comes together. There is no greater joy for an employer than to witness the smile on my staff’s faces as they deliver product they are proud to have produced to a satisfied customer!
What are the biggest challenges you face? For over 63 years Franklin Printing has been known in Johnson County as a full-service commercial printing company. Over the past two years, through our partnership with The Stitch Smith, we’ve expanded our production capabilities and services to include embroidered image wear, promotional products, signs and screen printing. The re-branding of our image and offerings, expanding the awareness to our current and future customers is my biggest challenge in this coming year.
How would you characterize your leadership philosophy or style? It is my belief that what will define me as having been an effective leader is more a matter of significance. The significant difference my life can make in the lives of others. The hearts and lives of those I’ve come across in my personal and business interactions who are in some way better because of the way I lived and lead should be a testimony to the biblical leadership principles I strive to embody. “For out of the overflow of ‘her’ heart ‘her’ mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45.
What leader do you most admire or try to emulate? Why? I struggle with this question because I admire many leaders in different aspects of their character, ability to effectively influence and leadership philosophy. If pressed I’d say I greatly admire the witness of Christian faith and effective leadership Tony Dungy consistently demonstrated to a watching nation. I don’t try to emulate anyone in particular, rather I’ll reference the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do no go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Has the perception of women in leadership roles in business changed in the last 20 years? If so, how? Certainly I believe the positions women hold in business leadership has evolved over the past 20 years. In my own personal experience I know I witness more females participating in and leading professional organizations and boards. Women are also more prevalent in high level management and finacial negotiations than I experienced starting out. As a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners I am frequently reminded of our growth, empowered regularly by fellow colleagues and encouraged to mentor the next, even larger, generation of strong, effective female leaders – my daughter to be one of them!
What is your advice to fellow business leaders in these difficult economic times? Everyone has their own story, resources and baggage, so there is no ‘one answer fits all’ or ‘feel good’ platitude I can share. What works for me is founded in the Christian principles by which I guide my life. I lift my head and tell my heart to live by faith and not by sight. I attempt to do my part with excellence daily, persevering in midst of some very challenging circumstances, trusting in prayer to God the details I cannot control.
What do you do when you’re not working (hobbies, community involvement, etc)? I have a passion for my leadership service in a Christian women’s ministry. The hours I spend weekly studying the bible, shepherding, sharing and praying with other women from all walks of life is priceless. The energy I have left is then multiplied in my relationship with three fellow businesswomen, Erin Smith, Jill Bode, and Deb Walton. The mighty foursome formed “The Savvy Dames”, combining our talents, connections and resources to organize and participate in fundraising events supporting organizations in our community for which we all have a passion:”An Affair to Read” benefiting The Greenwood Public Library; “An Afternoon at the Oscars” benefiting our own Woman’s Leadership Scholarship for the Leadership Johnson County program, Habitat for Humanity’s “Mystery Breakfast” and numerous functions with the National Association of Women Business Owners.
What famous leader, living or dead, would you most like to meet and why? Moses. I studied the book of Exodus and the life of Moses last year and was amazed at the leadership lessons I learned with practical application in my present-day personal and business responsibilities and challenges. What a colorful life Moses led-what a fantastic leader he was to the nation of Israel. I would love to hear him recount his adventures and lessons first hand!
