Malinda Milam: M Kay Supply

Malinda Milam of Benton, Missouri, had what you might call a banner year in 2014. On Jan. 28, she gave birth to identical twin daughters, and on Dec. 16 of that same year, she opened M Kay Supply, a farm, hardware and home store in Benton.

"We were definitely on the fast track that year," she says.

The store has items ranging from children's toys to plumbing supplies to pet care items, as well as grocery staples, liquor, a deli, barbecue grills, boots, clothing and housewares.

The upstairs floor of the store features guns and ammunition, men's and women's camouflage clothing, waders, fishing supplies and bait. M Kay Supply also is a full-service Stihl chain saw dealer, and they sell lawn mowers and a large selection of farm tools.

"When we started planning the store, we asked local contractors, farmers [and residents] what they needed and what they would like to be able to buy right here, and we made lists [of those requests]," Milam says.

Malinda Milam is owner of M Kay Supply in Benton, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

When the local grocery store closed, it was decided that grocery staples would be added to the selection at M Kay Supply.

"And then we decided to add the deli," Milam says. "I like to eat and shop in places that are unique and different, and that's what I wanted the store to be."

When they started planning, they hoped a 3,600-square-foot building would house all of the store's contents.

"But as we continued, we knew we would need a much bigger building to hold everything we wanted to carry," Milam says.

The building for the store went up quickly.

Malinda Milam, owner of M Kay Supply in Benton, Missouri, holds her daughters Brendan Elizabeth, left, and Jalyn Kay. (Fred Lynch)

"They poured concrete in July, erected the building in August and we opened in December," she says. "I wanted to be open in time for the Christmas season."

Milam was an occupational therapist at Saint Francis Medical Center for 14 years before opening her business. She received a degree in occupational therapy from Maryville University and has a master's degree in business from William Woods University.

The name, M Kay Supply, which is Milam's first initial and middle name, tells how much her heart is in the business.

"I am M Kay," she says. "I want people to come into a warm, friendly environment with a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. I want it to be a cozy place that you can come in and browse around for hours."

Milam says her favorite part about owning M Kay Supply is helping people.

Malinda Milam, owner of M Kay Supply in Benton, Missouri, holds her daughters Brendan Elizabeth, left, and Jalyn Kay. (Fred Lynch)

"I felt like I was able to help people when I was an occupational therapist, and I still feel like I get to do that here," she says. "I love talking with people and helping them find something they are looking for, and making them feel special. I've always tried to treat customers the way I want to be treated, and I feel the same way about my employees. We have a great team, and I don't ever want them to dread coming here to work."