Meet Mick and Kelly Mortensen, the couple who has been working in the stamp industry for decades.
Mick: I started originally with Federal Stamp and Seal in February 2001. When Simply Stamps acquired the business, I was a traded player and came along with the acquisition. So, I’ve been here for 23 years.
Kelly: I also worked with Federal Stamp and Seal for over 9 years, b ut I didn’t start working at Simply Stamps until 2013. I remember it was our peak season, right around Christmas time. It’s been almost 11 years with the company now.
Mick: I’ve worked in stamp assembly, quality assurance, procurement, and customer service. Now I ’m working in inventory and my official title is Inventory Control Specialist. I t’s a combination of making sure the right products get to the right department.
Kelly: I have worked in stamp assembly, proofreading, and customer service. My current role is all about editing and approving stamp templates, so that customers get the best results possible.
Mick: Every day is different. We sell a custom product, and we do our absolute best to make sure it’s right. We do it quickly, for the most part, with the right product .
Kelly: I love all the opportunities we have to collaborate with our peers. We make it fun to show up to work every day.
Mick: I know these products. I’ve been in the stamp industry since 1984. Somehow there are still things that I get to learn, see and think about every day. I also love spreading knowledge to our new employees and people in other departments .
Kelly: The people here truly make the company great. Many of us have worked here for years so it just feels like a second family.
Mick: I like to read books, especially historical fiction or espionage types of stories .
Kelly: I love all types of crafts. I like to switch it up and sometimes I’m knitting, crocheting, stitching, scrapbooking, or doing puzzles. I have an eye for detail, so I like using my skills to create something beautiful.
Mick: Curiosity and Grit. Never stop learning. And always roll up your sleeves and get the job done .
Kelly: I relate to passion. I love what I do, and I am always focused while working.
Mick: I’m proud of taking each day as a new day and wanting to do the best I can. If I make a mistake, I’m my biggest critic .
Kelly: Whenever I am gone, my coworkers always say how much they miss me because no one can do the job as fast as I can. It makes me laugh but I am truly proud of my ability to be efficient without compromising quality.
Mick: The printer line! I think those stamps are the best quality. And I know a lot about them.
Kelly: I love the teacher stamps! The designs are so fun and nostalgic for me.
Mick: Yes I do! Practice, practice, practice. The bigger the stamp, the harder it is to operate.
Kelly: E xplore the templates to see which one works best for your design. Sometimes the simpler designs look best as a stamp impression.
Mick: When we are here together, we talk to each other as co-workers. It’s nice becaus e we know each other's strengths and we call on that whenever we can .
Kelly: Being able to carpool to work is a huge plus. It’s also nice to be around someone who has a strong understanding of my work life and can always provide support.