Like a lot of her peers, Mary Dobsch found the promo industry by accident. She wanted to stay near her close-knit family in her hometown of Washington, MO, and had the opportunity to go into order entry at former supplier Hazel Promotional Products.

That move has since led to a long career in promotional products – she’s been president of The Chest (asi/44830) for nearly 20 years and is beloved among industry peers and her staff for her candor, kindness, business acumen and philanthropy.

“Any time you volunteer for anything, you get to hang out with the best people, and you learn so much,” she says. “The benefit is unbelievable.”

In this episode of Promo Insiders, Dobsch speaks with Executive Editor Sara Lavenduski about her years in promo, her appreciation for friendliness among industry peers and the secret to business success.