Your Future Neighbor: Hinson Printing
- Jul 6
- 3 min read
Some businesses become part of a community so naturally that people stop thinking about how often they see their work.
That was especially true for us during Ham & Yam this year.
From the Local70 tent and table setup to the ducks people kept carrying around downtown all weekend, a lot of what helped us show up well came from a Smithfield business that’s been quietly supporting local schools, organizations, churches, and businesses for decades: Hinson Printing.
For this edition of Your Future Neighbor, we sat down with Jamie Hinson to talk about family business, small-town relationships, what makes Smithfield unique, and why community involvement still matters.
For people who may not know Hinson Printing yet, tell us a little about the business and how long you’ve been part of it.
Hinson Printing has been serving Johnston County and surrounding areas for over 40 years. What started as a small local print shop has grown into a full-service business helping schools, churches, small businesses, and families with everything from business cards and banners to signs, promotional products, and more. I’ve been part of the business for most of my life, and it’s been rewarding to watch it grow while keeping the small-town feel and personal service that we’ve always valued."Mattis aliquam faucibus purus in massa tempor nec feugiat nisl. In est ante in nibh mauris cursus. Felis eget velit aliquet sagittis. Semper feugiat nibh sed pulvinar proin gravida hendrerit.
The company is also entering a new chapter. On June 15, Hinson Printing will open its second location in Kinston, led by Jamie and Amy Stanley’s daughter, Anna Smith. Having grown up working in the family business, Anna is proud to continue the tradition started by her grandfather and carried forward by her father while helping bring Hinson’s commitment to customer service and community involvement to a new market.
What's it like working in a family-owned business?
Working in a family business is special because it’s personal. You care deeply about the people you work with and the customers you serve because they’re often your neighbors and friends. There’s a lot of pride that comes with building something together as a family and continuing something that’s supported our community for many generations.
What do you hope never changes about Smithfield?
I hope Smithfield never loses its sense of community. It’s the kind of place where people support local businesses, show up for one another, and take pride in where they live. That small-town connection is hard to find and it’s one of the things that makes Smithfield special.What do you think helps a new business or development actually become part of a community instead of just existing in it?
I think the biggest thing is getting involved and building relationships. Support local events, partner with schools and organizations, and show you care about the people you serve.
Has there ever been a particularly memorable project or customer that stuck with you over the years?
All of our customers are special in their own way, but one experience that has always stuck with me wasn’t necessarily with a customer. Years ago, a foreign exchange student came to work with us for a short while. It was a unique experience because not only was he able to learn about the printing industry here, but he also shared a lot of knowledge about printing in his country. We learned just as much from him as he did from us. We’re still connected through social media today, and I’ll always remember the memories and friendship that came from that experience.
And finally, what makes a good neighbor?
A good neighbor is someone who shows up, supports others, and treats people with kindness and respect. Communities grow stronger when people genuinely care about one another.
One thing that stood out in our conversation with Jamie was how much of their business is really built on relationships.
Not in a corporate networking kind of way either. More in the small-town sense of knowing people, supporting local events, seeing familiar faces and being involved over time.
That’s probably part of why Ham & Yam felt so fun this year. A lot of the businesses downtown weren’t just there to promote themselves. They were there because they’ve been connected to Smithfield for years.
Talking with Jamie was a good reminder that places don’t build community on their own. The people and businesses that keep showing up year after year are a big part of what gives a town its personality in the first place.
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