Raised in rural Williamston, North Carolina, in a time when women were expected to be teachers, secretaries, or homemakers, Lana aspired to be a secretary once she finished high school. Along with classes in shorthand, typing, and accounting, she also took marketing, which first sparked her interest in business. While working as a secretary for the agricultural chemical company, Ciba-Geigy, Lana got her first taste of the trade show business in 1975 and fell in love with it instantly. She was then promoted to managing the company’s exhibit program, which she did for ten years. After working in the corporate environment, she moved to the other side of the desk, working for various exhibit companies over the next several years.

Then in 1991, Lana received an offer she could not refuse. Clients she had previously worked for encouraged her to start her own business, and vowed to follow if she would. Her vision at that time was to have a small home business and work with just four or five clients as a trade show consultant. But during that first year, the phone started ringing and that was the start of today’s Exhibit Resources.

At the time she was starting her business, Lana’s daughter, Cyndi, had just earned a degree in Interior Design from East Carolina University, and her son, Chuck, had finished his tour in the U.S. Navy. Because Lana was a single mother, Cyndi and Chuck were old hands in the trade show business. Growing up, they had trekked with their mom to trade shows across the country and grew to love the business as much as she did. So they were both very supportive when Lana announced that she was starting her own company. They sent flowers on opening day with a card that read “If anyone can do it—YOU can do it!”

L to R: Daughter Cyndi, Lana, and son, Chuck.

Shortly after that opening day, business began to accelerate and it was apparent that Lana needed help. So it was only logical that she hire her kids, who have been on board 110 percent since that time. Lana, Cyndi, and Chuck work extremely well together because they each have a different area of responsibility within the company. And Lana counts it as a great blessing to have her adult children in the business, sharing her dream with her.

Exhibit Resources was rolling right along, ready to celebrate its 10th Anniversary, when the September 11 terrorist attacks changed everything. The trade show industry immediately recoiled, and Exhibit Resources suffered along with all the others. Overnight revenues dried up as clients cancelled shows and pulled back on their spending. Lana was forced to cut staff and expenses, but she was determined not to fail. She knew she had to develop a plan to ensure the survival of the company and move it forward. As hard as it was to cut expenses, reduce hours, eliminate staff positions, and give up luxuries everyone was accustomed to, Lana made those hard decisions with an empathetic, yet businesslike, mindset.

In spite of the ups and downs she has experienced in the past few years, Lana is optimistic when advising women about starting their own business.

“Everyone should do what they love and feel passionate about. Starting a business based on that passion involves tireless research, planning and goal setting, and a steadfast commitment. You must surround yourself with a network of advisors and supporters that you can trust in times of need and who will celebrate your successes with you.”

And Lana has every reason to celebrate. With a 3,000 square foot showroom, two warehouse locations, a beautiful suite of offices, and an impressive client list, she has all the physical trappings of success. But way beyond that, Lana has true success. She is living her passion and sharing that experience with her two adult children. What more could a mother ask?