Celebrating 25 years of service, McGee's Stamp and Trophy was recognized this week by the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce for outstanding community service.
McGee's specializes in rubber stamps and plastic engraved name and door plates; the business also features awards, trophies, plaques and ribbons.Jesse McGee, owner and manager of McGee's, said his business is a example of realizing the American dream of owning a business. McGee started the business in the basement of his home. He was working for the Postal Service in Orem and had several part-time jobs when he decided to buy a rubber-stamp company.
McGee started to build rubber stamps in October 1966, telling himself that he would someday turn his stamp company into a full-time business. Within three years, McGee had moved his business to Provo, dedicating himself to it full time. In 1980, he bought the building on 1544 S. State in Orem where he presently does business. At that time he also changed the name of the company to McGee's, after being known for several years as the Central Utah Rubber Stamp Co.
McGee's is a family business. Two of Jesse McGee's five sons are also involved full time in the business. Kory McGee manages the store in Midvale, while Kirt helps to manage the Orem store.
"During the last five years, business has really come around," Jesse said. "I really enjoy doing business in Orem."
It's a fast-paced business where everything is "rush," according to Jesse McGee, explaining that customers want their orders done as fast as possible. In recognition of this frequent occurrence, McGee has named one of his six pet Llamas Rush.
One of the first stamps McGee made was for himself. It reads "Jesse McGee is going to make it."
"I've been willing to do whatever it takes to make it. I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have it," McGee said.