Lake Mills grad finds success

Published 9:10 am Monday, February 16, 2009

If you can think it, she can make it.

That’s the philosophy of the 22-year-old owner of Pit Stop Printing on North Mill Street.

Though she may be young and fairly fresh in the world of vinyl and screen printing, that doesn’t stop Katie Benson from using her creativity to serve her customers.

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Benson, a 2004 Lake Mills High School graduate, opened Pit Stop Printing in a small room in June of 2004 with a little bit of help. When she first opened, her products were limited to printed items and vinyl graphics. Since, the business has expanded to include custom apparel using vinyl film.

In October of 2004 she moved from her small room starting spot to a different location, all on her own. Then, in October of 2007, she moved again to 109 N. Mill St., where she still is today. That same winter, she expanded her product line to include screen printing.

The young entrepreneur said some of her most noteworthy customers have included Larson Contracting, Rognes Bros. Excavating, Cruisers Route 69, Silverado’s, and Pete’s Kitchen in Mason City, Iowa.

She makes logos, decals, signs, T-shirts and other printed products. And she does lots of custom drawn designs. She said one of the most gratifying parts about her job is seeing her work circulate around the community.

One of the highlights of her business, she said, is that it has a no minimums policy. This means if people just have one sign or shirt, they can still have it printed. The business does one shirt at a time for less than $20, where many other printing places require at least a dozen.

Though it’s a lot for a young businesswoman to take on, she said she gets a lot of help from family and friends when times get tough. She’s also learned a lot about business through prior jobs at the Lake Mills Graphic and the North Iowa Star and through reading lots of books.

At first when she said she was going to take this on as a business, people just told her they thought it would be a nice hobby.

But it’s since turned into much more than that, Benson said. She loves meeting all kinds of people and helping new businesses get started.

During the summer, she also has a mobile unit that goes out to fairs.

“A lot of people don’t really understand what we can do here,” she said. “A lot of people are shocked that we have a solid business in Lake Mills.”

While it’s clear Benson has a passion for the business, she’s obtained an associate’s degree for graphic design from North Iowa Area Community College to back that up. She also attends yearly seminars to learn new techniques for her product.

The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. If people need to come at a later time or on the weekend, they can call to make an appointment.

Benson said she hopes to start having a window contest where people can submit their ideas for the display. Winners will be selected monthly.

The business can be reached online at pspcustomproducts.com and by phone at (641) 592-2520.