Thirty Under 30: Kaitlyn Martel

By Donna Heiderstadt

Kaitlyn Martel has never been afraid to take on big things. As Director of Marketing at IMARK Plumbing, the largest cooperative marketing group in the plumbing industry, the 29-year-old has spoken and presented before 1,200-plus members and suppliers at the company’s annual conference, sharing key marketing program details and information about financial incentive programs. In fact, throughout her more than six years in the industry, with IMARK and two other firms, Kaitlyn has worked in virtually all business aspects of plumbing distribution, from warehouse ERP implementation and inventory data migration to website launches, digital and print campaign management, vendor and member relations, event planning and co-op programs. Her proudest accomplishment? Remapping and setting up the entire 20,000-square-foot New York Plumbing Supply Distribution Center.

Kaitlyn, who lives in New York and works remotely, likens a career in the kitchen-and-bath supply business to being an art dealer. “An organization’s ability to develop their own brand voice, in a highly saturated market while selling product they themselves do not produce, is an incredible feat,” she said, rattling off a list of other requirements that include creating a beautiful showroom or storefront, finding space to house product, and making it clear to customers why your business is better than the competitor down the road who is selling at the same price. “It’s an incredible living case study of how to effectively run, fix or maintain a multifaceted business that is often so emotionally driven. All these different moving parts drew me in, and I just love the lessons I’ve learned.”

Being central to the process of remodeling comes naturally to Kaitlyn. “I come from a family of highly capable DIYers,” she pointed out, “so I had the ability to get my hands dirty and help make improvements to our home.” She’s now working to establish her own home with her new husband, Dan, and their one-year-old Lhasa Apso, Lucy, who she describes as “a little dog with a big personality.” Kaitlyn, who admits to occasional HGTV, Food Network and Bravo binges, says her favorite design style reflects her non-nonsense persona. “I’m a big midcentury modern fan,” she said. “Clean lines, neutral colors and the ‘less is more’ mantra all speak to me.”

It’s hardly surprising then that Kaitlyn recently fell for the Nordic aesthetic of Iceland. “My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and loved every minute of it,” she said. “The natural beauty and incorporation of it into their architectural style is so cool to see. The food is incredible and don’t get me started on their out-of-this-world spas. It’s a must-go for everyone.” Travel also plays into her future goals. On Kaitlyn’s list: “See a sunrise and sunset on every continent… and cook my way through Ina Garten’s Barefoot In Paris cookbook.”