When Erica Zavala first joined MAGNA-TILES, she was attending community college, taking general education courses, and still figuring out what she wanted to study and what kind of career she wanted to build. Like many students, she was also searching for steady work and applying to any role that seemed like a good fit.
In fact, her original application to MAGNA-TILES was for a warehouse position.
But during the interview process, something unexpected happened.
After meeting with our founder Rudy Valenta and his son, Michael Valenta, she learned there was an opening in the office that seemed to better match her skills and potential. A week later, she joined MAGNA-TILES as part of a small office team of just four people, a decision that would ultimately shape the course of her career.
We reached out to Erica to learn more about her journey at MAGNA-TILES and if she has any advice for people joining MAGNA-TILES or the workforce in general.
People & Culture: What has your career journey looked like, and what led you to MAGNA-TILES?
Erica: I started as an Order Fulfillment Associate, where I was responsible for processing customer orders, coordinating shipments, communicating with customers and sales representatives, and ensuring orders moved through the system accurately and on time. This role gave me a strong foundation in our operations, customer service, and the day-to-day needs of our retail partners.
After about two and a half years, I was promoted to Order Fulfillment Manager, a position I held for nearly three years. In that role, I managed the daily workflow of the fulfillment team, helped train and onboard new employees, developed processes to improve efficiency, and served as a key point of contact between departments while also managing relationships with sales reps and key partners. It was my first opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities and contribute to the growth and development of both the team and our operational processes.
Following that, I transitioned into a National Account Manager role. This position allowed me to build stronger relationships with key retail partners, manage strategic accounts, support business growth initiatives, and work closely with different teams across the company to support our retail partners and help drive growth. Moving into account management expanded my understanding of the business and gave me the opportunity to contribute more directly to our growth strategy.
Looking back almost 8 years later, what started as a search for a job while attending community college turned into a career journey filled with opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. I'm incredibly grateful for the trust and support I've received throughout my journey, especially from Michael Valenta. His leadership, mentorship, and willingness to invest in my growth have had a lasting impact on my career and have helped me reach opportunities I never imagined when I first joined the company.
A memorable milestone: Erica’s first ASTRA show in 2021
People & Culture: What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in their career?
Erica: My advice to someone just starting out in their career would be not to worry if you don't have everything figured out right away. When I joined MAGNA-TILES, I was still attending community college and wasn't even sure what I wanted to major in. As a first-generation college graduate, I was still discovering what career path was right for me. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that career journeys aren't always linear, and some of the best opportunities come when you're open to possibilities you never expected.
Stay curious, ask questions, and be willing to learn from the people around you. Don't be afraid to take on new challenges or responsibilities, even if they push you outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, be patient with your career journey. Growth doesn't happen overnight, but every experience teaches you something valuable and helps prepare you for the next opportunity.
You never know where a single opportunity might lead you, it could end up shaping your entire career.
People & Culture: What’s one project, accomplishment, or moment at MAGNA-TILES that you’re especially proud of?
Erica: One of the things I enjoy most about account management and working for a growing company like MAGNA-TILES, is that there are always new opportunities to take on exciting projects and make a meaningful impact. Because of that, it's difficult to point to just one accomplishment that I'm most proud of.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, from helping bring the MAGNA-TILES Studio at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to life, to collaborating on special retail initiatives such as end cap and case displays that showcase our products in unique and engaging ways.
I'm also incredibly proud of the relationships I've built with our retail partners and the business growth we've achieved together. Being able to help grow key accounts, drive double-digit sales growth, and surpass major milestones has been especially rewarding. Seeing the direct impact of those efforts, not only on the success of our partners but also on the continued growth of MAGNA-TILES, has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.
This story is a powerful reminder that careers do not always begin with a perfect plan. Sometimes they begin with a single application, a conversation, or a chance someone takes on your potential.
At MAGNA-TILES, what started as an unexpected office opportunity became a career defined by growth, leadership, partnership, and purpose.
And if there is one lesson that stands above the rest, it is this:
You never know where life will take you.
Interested in joining the team? We’re always excited to connect with talented, passionate people who want to grow their careers and make an impact. If MAGNA-TILES sounds like the kind of place where you’d thrive, we encourage you to learn more about our culture, values, and what it’s like to be part of the team. Explore current opportunities on our People and Culture page or head directly to our Open Roles page to see available positions and find the role that might be right for you.
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