Some companies make things. McHale Design makes things fun.
For 40 years, McHale has built brands and packaging for the toy, pet, and food industries. Think about the box you couldn't wait to rip open as a kid. The bag your dog recognizes from across the house. The snack that stopped you mid-aisle. Somebody designed that little spark of joy on purpose, and a lot of the time, that somebody was McHale Design.
I met Joe Campos, McHale's owner, through a small business program in Long Beach. Learning alongside a creative, bright, and caring individual like Joe was truly special. I know he leads his team with the same energy he brought to class each week.
A Legacy Handed Down With Care
Maureen McHale opened the agency in 1985. In 2021, Joe bought it from her, and she headed off into a well-earned retirement.
Stepping into a four-decade legacy is a big deal. Joe didn't tear it down and start over. He honored what made McHale special and kept building on it. Today he's proudest of two things: 40 years in business, and clients who have trusted the team for decades.
In industries that move as fast as toys and snacks, that kind of loyalty isn't luck. It's relationships, earned one project at a time. We truly admire this about McHale.
"We Know We Are Not Curing Cancer"
Ask Joe what makes McHale different and he'll give you the most refreshingly honest answer you've ever heard:
"We know we are not curing cancer, but we love what we do. We have fun, and our mission is to bring joy and smiles to the young at heart."
That's the whole philosophy. Take the work seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously. And never forget that somewhere down the line, a real person is going to smile at what you made.
Wearing the Brand
When a team loves its brand this much, it wants to wear it. So Joe came to us for custom hats.
"We like wearing our brand as we are proud of it," he told us.
And people noticed. Almost right away, the questions started rolling in:
"Those look cool, where can I get one?"
"Do you all sell those?"
For a design agency, that matters. Their merch is a first impression of their taste. Joe says the hats look "fun, custom and not cheaply made," which is exactly what you want people to think about the folks designing your packaging.
As for working with us? His answer was short and sweet: "Lisa is awesome." We'll take it. (Lisa is blushing.)
Advice From 40 Years In
We asked Joe what he'd tell someone just starting out. His answer is one to tape above your desk:
"Start small and build. Don't try to run before you can walk as you may trip and fall. Oh and always be a sponge, absorb as much as possible."
Lifelong learning is valuable and could be part of McHale's lassting legacy.
What's Next for McHale
More social media, more marketing, and bringing AI into the creative process. Forty years in, and McHale is still curious, still growing, and still having fun doing it.
Say Hi to McHale
See the work at mchaledesign.com and follow along at @mchaledesign on all platforms.
Thanks for the laughs, the hats, and the reminder that joy is serious business, Joe. We're so glad to know you.
