Creative Advertising is an advertising and promotional products company. Prior to starting the business, Cheryl Wonnell sold advertising for the Oskaloosa Independent. While at the newspaper, she met Bob Benson, who sold advertising specialties in Lawrence, Kansas and the surrounding area. Bob and Cheryl became friends. With his ensuing retirement, he agreed to sell the business to her. He realized that Cheryl would care about "his people" the way he had for 12 years.

With much enthusiasm, a realistic business plan and lots of prayers, Cheryl approached a local bank for a loan. The banker had known her most of her life. He extended the credit she needed to establish her business. Her collateral for the loan consisted of 7 head of cattle and a 72 Chevy pickup. In May of 1987, Cheryl Wonnell's Creative Advertising was officially in business!

Cheryl represents Geiger Bros. located in Lewiston, Maine. Geiger is the nation's largest family owned and managed Promotional Products distributor and one of the industry's most highly regarded firms.

She provides imprinted promotional products (coffee mugs, pens, lapel pins, etc.) for businesses to use for customer giveaways, safety programs, Christmas gifts, open houses, employee recognition awards and general advertising. Creative Advertising clients vary from banks, car dealers, factories, funeral homes, newspapers, pest control, real estate companies, universities, and many others. She specializes in customer service and going the extra mile for her clients. Typically, a client will ask for ideas for a special promotion or a safety program. She ask questions; who will receive the items, the budget, quantity needed, and how they will be distributed. Then Cheryl selects ideas and items to fit the promotion. She works with good suppliers that stand behind their products.

The trend for corporate casual days has become very popular and employers are selecting wearables with embroidered logos as an inexpensive way to motivate employees. Research is showing that a large number of managers believe that casual days improve employee morale and improve productivity. She offers a full line of wearables for men and women, including embroidered polo and dress shirts, jackets, vests, and caps.

Cheryl received a huge honor in May of 1998 when she was chosen Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Month. In 1998, Cheryl's idea for Heinz Pet Products was to produce a beach towel resembling the Kibbles and Bits dog food bag. Fabriko, the factory who produced the towel, received the 1999 PPAI Supplier Award for screen printing on textiles. Cheryl was invited to attend the award ceremony in Las Vegas.