Faces of Lubricants: Joëlle Martin
Jun 30, 2020
Business analyst Joëlle Martin is a vital link between our global customers and sales team. From coordinating product pricing and inventory, to assisting with customer-relationship management, Joëlle provides sales support to Ingevity’s Oilfield and Lubricants businesses. Her versatility and natural analytical way of thinking helps her successfully establish initiatives to improve importing and optimize costs. Relationship building is second nature to Joëlle. She enjoys getting to know people and feeling truly connected to those around her. Her witty sense of humor and magnetic personality make this possible as she genuinely is a joy to work with. This Arizona transplant is an outdoor enthusiast who spends much of her free time exploring local breweries with friends or at the beach with her dog, Walt.
Tell us about the experience you bring to your role.
My passion for supply chain sparked several years ago when I was in college and unable to take internships as I needed a full-time job to pay for rent and other bills. My first gig within the industry was in an imports role for an ocean carrier which allowed me to quickly move on to an imports role with DHL Express. In that position, I learned the ins and outs of importing goods into the U.S. and let me tell you, as an average consumer, I had NO idea how many regulations existed to bring something into the country! Halfway through my time at DHL, I was promoted to business analyst where project management and root cause analysis took up a bulk of my time. Thankfully, I have come full circle and am back in a role here at Ingevity in which I am very passionate about.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
My go-to productivity trick is to take a quick walk, make myself a cup of joe and put on some jazz music. I don’t know why, but that always gives me a kick-start to my day and allows me to focus.
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
Something that I believe has attributed to my success professionally and personally is my desire to connect with people. I enjoy getting to know people and learning about their story – everyone has one! An old colleague of mine used to tease me and say, “you just always have a smile on your face and are so happy.” I always strive to be approachable and set the tone of positivity in hopes of bringing the group together. It has allowed me to make connections with people within the company that I normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to.
What’s the best advice you were ever given?
The best advice that I was ever given came from my mother just two years ago. It was during the time when I was debating on whether or not I should move to Charleston; a place where I did not know anyone and did not have a job lined up – a huge risk. My mother told me to “follow my heart.” As an individual who tries to always make decisions with my brain, that was the first time that I followed my heart. Two weeks later, I packed up my entire life as I knew it and drove to Charleston on a whim. It has been one of the best decisions that I have made in life so far!
What is your favorite thing about working at Ingevity?
The people and culture. I have never worked for a company where you immediately feel like you belong. I still recall my first week at Ingevity and thinking to myself, “are these people really this friendly?” Some of my best friends that I have here in Charleston are those I met through the company. I also must recognize the oilfield and lubricant technologies team. We have such an amazing group of people and leaders that I am so fortunate to be able to work with.
What would we most likely find you doing in your spare time?
There is nothing that I enjoy more than being outdoors. I usually start my mornings sitting on my patio with a cup of coffee and a book or the news. By the afternoon, I am usually out somewhere with friends. Charleston is such a social city and there is always somewhere to go. I also enjoy spending time at the beach.
What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?
Paris, France!
Among your friends or family, what are you famous for?
My sassiness and sense of humor. I enjoy laughing, making people laugh and usually always have something to say. I think my sassiness came from being born a Yankee – I am originally from Connecticut and though I grew up in Arizona, I never lost my “Northern mentality.”
What is something people would be surprised to know about you (or do you have a hidden talent)?
I am a first generation – kind of! My mother is from Poland and my father is also Polish but was born here in the United States. I unfortunately have not had the chance to visit Poland yet and my mother never taught us Polish. I do however refer to my grandparents as “Babcia” and “Dziadek”, and the culture is still very well alive when I go back home to Connecticut to see family.
What kind of pet do you have and what is something unique about him?
Anyone who knows me knows Walter! Walter is my 4-year-old dog I rescued from a shelter in Arizona. I tell people that he is a collie mix because everyone always asks, “is that Lassie?” His name came about from a dog that I had found in my old neighborhood the summer before during a nighttime storm. I had taken the dog in for the evening until I could find its owner and ended up giving him the name Walter. Flash forward to the day that I adopted my Walter, I had asked the adoption counselor what she thought that I should name the puppy and she said, “hmmm, how about Walter?” It was fate! You can imagine all of the laughter we received when I told people that my 8-week-old puppy was named Walter.
