Between childhood memories and a return to her roots, Charlène Monterrain joined the family business after a rich career in sports and events. Immersed in the printing industry from a very young age, she reflects on her relationship with her father and the gradual transmission of his expertise. Here, she shares her vision of a local printing company in constant evolution.
I am Charlène Monterrain. I joined the family business, Imprimerie Monterrain, 2 years ago and I am the young mother of a 3-month-old baby boy.
Childhood memories
My memories of the company go back many years. I remember coming to the print shop after school. It was a very small print shop located on Rue du 8 Mai. I remember playing with my brother and cousin among the machines or in the small courtyard. Later, the bus dropped us off at the print shop on Boulevard du Chevran. Back then, I remember customers bringing their files on floppy disks and sending their orders by fax. So, you could say things have changed a lot. Today, if we still had to receive all the orders on floppy disks, it would be complicated.
From tennis to printing
Before taking over the printing business, I played tennis at a high level when I was younger, until I was 18. After that, I went to university to study sports, specializing in sports event management. My first professional experience was at Radio Mont-Blanc, where I stayed for over eight years. It was a wonderful experience that I left to join the printing business.
I hadn't always imagined taking over the business, as I was working in a different field. Eventually, my father and I found ourselves in the same networks, sometimes even with the same clients. Plus, we had lunch together every day as a family, so I was always hearing about the printing business. As Patrick, my father, approached retirement, I thought it could be a great opportunity to join the adventure.
A smooth transmission
The handover with my father is still underway. Even though he's retired, he's still involved part-time, which allows us to continue this transition smoothly. Everything is going very well because we have a great understanding. It's a natural process, and it allows him to pass on all his expertise to me, both in terms of the business itself and our clients and the company's history.
Much more than just paper
Describing printing would have been simpler in the past, as there was only one trade. Today, the business has diversified considerably. We still practice our traditional craft of stationery, but we have also expanded into large-format printing, signage, and adhesives. Beyond these activities, printing is above all about close relationships. We value cultivating a special connection with our clients and providing them with personalized advice. This is what sets us apart from the internet.
Essential for everyday life
There are several values I would like to preserve within the company. The first is mutual support. We remain a small team of about fifteen employees, and during busy periods, everyone pitches in. We are fortunate to have some truly versatile individuals on the team. The second value is close relationships. As I mentioned earlier, we value the connection we have with our clients, whether they are individuals, associations, or professionals, and we want to maintain it. Finally, there is loyalty. Some of our clients have trusted us for decades, and we would like to continue supporting them for many years to come.
Nothing is the same
What I love most about my job is the diversity of the projects. Every day, we offer a wide range of products and services. Each one is different, whether it's the paper used, the finishes, or the specific requirements of the project. That's what makes this job so interesting: every project is unique.
A valuable piece of advice
One of the pieces of advice my father passed on to me is to respect the customer. It's a value he's held dear for many years. As you can see, our customers are loyal, and I'd like to continue this legacy.
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