Meet Brad & April McKinley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad & April McKinley.

Hi Brad & April, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I was a kid who loved anything hands-on. I was a member of the football, wrestling, and track & field teams in middle school and high school. As a kid labeled with ADHD, I needed to be involved and have an outlet in which I could be myself. The traditional classroom was a struggle for me at times. Throughout the school day, I found myself scheduling many art electives and fell in love with them.

Once I graduated high school, I drifted away from the arts and found my new passion in education. I attended Wittenberg University where I played football and majored in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (Intervention Specialist: mild to moderate). After graduation, I had the opportunity to return to the high school I went to and teach Special Education. I met my Wife, April, immediately following college as well.

When we bought our first home together, our main goal was to make it ours with personal touches. April has always had a passion for home decor and design. From the time we met, it never ceased to amaze me how people always gravitated to her for inspiration and ideas for home decor. When we would make items for our home, friends, and family would always ask where we got them. The most rewarding part of this question was being able to say, ‘we made it.

Over time, we found ourselves making duplicates of many of the same items we made for our home for those close to us. Once our son began Kindergarten, I had to stop coaching Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field to make sure I was home to get him off the bus. I never realized exactly how much time I spent coaching until the first year without it. As a busybody, I needed something to fill this void. Ironically, our neighbor mentioned a craft show happening at their school and encouraged us to sign up.

Although we were nervous and anxious about the idea, we took a leap of faith and completed the application to be a part of the craft show. We were extremely nervous and anxious going into our first craft show. We had no idea if our items would be popular if anyone would support us, how many items to make, or if we would even have a sale. We spent three weeks in the evenings after our full-time jobs and worked as a team to build and create items for the upcoming craft show.

All of the long nights leading up to the show immediately were worth it when we received our first sale, an Ohio made out of reclaimed wood. April and I found ourselves loving every moment as the day went on. We couldn’t get the smile off our faces from the love and support everyone showed us. After the show, April chose to make a trip to Target to grab a coffee from Starbucks. We were exhausted but humbled by the excitement and happiness of the experience we had from our first show.

While walking around, April and I decided that we have found our new passion and began looking for other craft shows in the central Ohio area, we were hooked! We sold at a show every weekend in November and December during our first year of selling our items. Fast forward, we began to post our items on social media outlets (TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram) and the response was amazing. We took on many new projects and began learning new skills and techniques to polish our craft.

We attended a craft show at Hilliard Darby High School the next year. At the time, we had no idea that our family passion and hobby would turn into an opportunity of a lifetime. During the show, we met Juli Willbarger. Julie purchased a front porch sign from us and began small talk. At the time, Juli was the owner of New Grounds Coffee House in Hilliard, Ohio.

A month after meeting Juli, we began selling our décor items out of New Grounds Coffee House. If you are ever in the Hilliard area, you have to swing by and grab a frozen buckeye to drink (our favorite) and check out the décor items we have for sale! I am now back to coaching but my focus is on the youth sports in which my kids are participating. My son, Bennett (9), participates in football and wrestling. My daughter, Anniston (6), participates in dance, cheerleading, wrestling, and soccer.

In the spring, I coach throwers for our middle school track & field team. We continue to sell our items out of New Grounds Coffee House. We have limited the number of craft shows we participate in but still take orders through Facebook, Instagram, or via email. Our next craft show is the March to the Holidays event at Marysville High School on November 5th. Stop by our booth and say hi!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since beginning our journey into woodworking, we have had many successful moments accompanied by a few challenges. As a family, creating happy memories together is our main priority. With April and I both working full-time jobs that we love; we have to get creative on how we can incorporate woodworking into our daily lives while making it meaningful and engaging for our kids to join.

To balance time so that we get to woodwork and spend quality time with family, we find ways to get everyone involved based on their strengths. April is truly the brains behind the business, she has so many creative ideas and can also take anything and make it look stunning. I am the builder that brings all of April’s ideas to life. Bennett is very similar to his Mom and loves to create and design new items, but also helps me build items often.

Recently, we created a simple jig for him to use to create Santa out of reclaimed wood, which has been his niche lately. Anniston is our big shop helper and is eager to support us by gathering materials, tools, or whatever else she can do to help keep things running smoothly. She also likes to take wood from the scrap pile and experiment with new paint patterns and designs.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am very fortunate that I have the opportunity to impact the lives of youth daily. I am in my 12th year as an Intervention Specialist (Special Education Teacher) with a focus on behavioral support at Hilliard Davidson High School. Throughout my tenure, I have been involved in the football, wrestling, and track & field teams as a Coach.

Ironically, I also graduated from Hilliard Davidson in 2007 and was a member of all three sports teams during my time as a student as well. In my senior year of football, I was a team captain of the 2006 state championship team that went undefeated at 15-0. I ended my high school career with 11 varsity letters and was all-state in football and wrestling.

Following high school, I attended Wittenberg University where I immediately announced my decision to major in Education. I was very blessed to have several role models through my educational experience to that I contribute all of my success. While at Wittenberg University, I participated in football all four years and competed in track my freshman year.

I was blessed to be a 4-year starter for the Tigers football team, earning all-conference honors every year. Most recently, I was named to Linebacker’s NCAC 30th Anniversary All-Decade Team. I always wanted to just be Dad and not coach my kids, but since my kids have transitioned into sports, I am now coaching them in football and wrestling. I have enjoyed the youth sports experience in our community.

The best part of coaching is getting to spend time with both my kids and the kids that get to grow up with. When I think about what sets me apart from others, I would have to say I am fully committed to helping others be the best version of themselves (at school, through Coaching sports, or within the community).

What do you like and dislike about the city?
We moved to Marysville, Ohio in December 2017. Since moving, we have fallen in love with everything about our city. We have found everyone to be very welcoming, adding to the small-town charm. Throughout the summer we enjoy Friday Uptown events, explore local parks, ride our bikes downtown, and visit the Hot Air Balloon Festival. We are involved in several of the sports teams locally.

I am the head coach of one of our youth football teams and coach both the boys’ and girls’ youth wrestling teams. April helped Coach the football cheerleaders this year. Our favorite craft shows that we participate in are both in Marysville, which are the FestiFair Arts & Crafts Festival and March to the Bands Holiday Craft Fair. According to April, the only thing that our town is missing is a Target.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwmercantile/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWMercantile/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mwmercantile