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McKinley Advertising Company
April 2025
Chariton Area Chamber/Main Street is proud to feature one of our local contributing businesses in the monthly Small Business Spotlight.
This month, we are featuring McKinley Advertising Co., a promotional products distributor and a wholesale general merchandise distributor.
What is your job title and role?
Trish McKinley, President
How long have you been in business in Chariton/Lucas County?
I had been teaching 3rd grade in Centerville and after our daughter Erin was born, I wanted to stay home with her but I still needed to work. My husband Paul was with Neely Mfg in Corydon, a supplier to the promotional products industry. I thought I would give being a distributor of swag, a try. I sold my first promo product in 1980. I didn’t really know anything about starting or running a business then. Paul sold Neely’s in 1990 and shortly after that we moved to East Lake and that is when I moved the business to the old Garfield Building in Chariton. Our art department really flourished there, and we did some very exciting projects. It was also at this time we started working with clients on uniform programs, understanding the needs of the client and how to best deliver the products. We eventually needed a larger warehouse and moved to our current locationin 2012. Today we ship products throughout the Midwest and beyond and to a variety of clients including nearly all of the Hy-Vee stores. Because of the wonderful space we have, we were able to add embroidery, screen printing and heat pressing to the services we offer our clients.
Describe your business
McKinley Advertising Company is a promotional products distributor and a wholesale general merchandise distributor. As part of our promotional products division, we offer graphic design services as well as on-site screen printing, embroidery and heat transfer apparel decoration.
Why do you do what you do?
What inspires you to keep at it each day?
Over these past 40+ years I have worked with many outstanding people, employees, clients and vendors on some awesome projects. I love the creativity and challengethat McKinley Advertising has afforded me as well as the valuable marketing services we provide our clients.
My driving force is loyalty to our clients and the McKinley Team Members, including VP Brian Moore (25 years), VP John Ripperger (20 years), Joey Krutsinger
(10 years), Maggie Nichols (2 years), and our newest team members, Dylan Stites and Tiffani Smith.
Why did you choose Chariton for your business?
What are your biggest challenges as a business owner?
Turns out that when I moved to southern Iowa in 1974, I didn’t know how much I would learn to love this part of the state. Lucas County is a wonderful place to raise a family, grow a business, and call HOME.
Most of the challenges we face mirror those that other companies across the country deal with. Managing the increased cost of materials and minimizing the impact those costs have on our customers budgets is always a focus.
What are your biggest rewards?
Being able to provide careers for our wonderful employees is my greatest reward as a business owner.
What will people get from your business that they won't get anywhere else?
We live in a digital world, but it is the individualized customer experience that sets us apart. When you work choose to work with us, you have a dedicated Account Executive, backed by an experienced team, to guide you through the steps of your project. Our staff has combined industry experience of greater than 100 years and relish the opportunity to pass that knowledge on to our customers.
Learn more about McKinley Advertising Co. at:
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