Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori and Jim Ryan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lori and Jim. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2008, we began with the idea that there needed to be more customer service in our industry. We were both working for a different company at that time that did not necessarily see that as the most important virtue. We believed that the customers needed to be #1 and thus, made the joint decision to start MaxEx, Inc. as partners to do just that. We firmly believe that when you work with us, your expectations will be exceeded. As a company, and as individuals, we are the point of contact for the client for absolutely everything. We work with the client every step of the way to include being on show site ourselves to manage and overseeing all aspects of the tradeshow.
We become an extension of our clients to figure out long term solutions to meet their trade show needs. And we believe that is what sets us apart as over 80% of our clients are obtained via word of mouth and recommendations from current/past clients. That means the world to us to know that clients enjoy working with us so much that they recommend them to anyone who asks (and even those who don’t!) We know we are where we are today because of a dedicated client base and the exceptional service that we provide all of our clients.
And as for us today, we have gone from being business partners to life partners when we married in 2015! We know that our trust in one another and having to rely on each other’s business strengths and areas of expertise in order to start a company together, grew into a much deeper relationship over the years and now has resulted in a strong husband and wife team ready to take on the world together!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We don’t think it is ever a completely smooth road to start your own business. There are always challenges and they differ depending on the area of business that one is in. For us, having to prove ourselves to clients is the easy part as we are dedicated and have the passion. The harder part is proving yourself to the business world itself. Obtaining loans and building a relationship with a bank is very difficult. Trying to understand the world of government procedures be it federal, state and/or local is a challenge when you are trying to read all the fine print to make certain you are doing things properly. Finding a good attorney as well as an accountant that you trust is a huge challenge for any small business and a large expense that most don’t expect, as some of those phone calls alone to gather information can cost a pretty penny. And when you are just starting, you are trying to save every one of those pennies! We think the actual business aspect is the largest challenge because when you believe in what you are doing, that will always come across loud and clear to current and or future clients. It’s all the uncertainties behind the scenes that are a huge struggle.
MaxEx – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In a nutshell, we offer turnkey exhibit solutions, meaning that we design, build, and manage every aspect of a trade show exhibit booth. We offer consulting, design, production, management, refurbishment, rentals, on site supervisions, installation and dismantle, transportation, storage and product management. Jim has been in the industry since 1985 and has such a great amount of experience and a knack for troubleshooting. Lori was previously in the special event industry and has been on the tradeshow side of events since 2006. Together we pride ourselves on the fact that we have been able to maintain and expand our client base based on the loyalty our clients have afforded us as well as the compliments and glowing reviews they provide to colleagues and fellow exhibitors on the show floor.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is when a client tells you that would pay you out of their own pocket if the company ever cut their exhibit budget. I think that says a lot about how much we actually take care of. Success to us is when the client doesn’t show up until the opening morning of the show and is ready to do what they need to do and when the show closes, they simply walk away. That means we have handled all of the pre and post show circus that a tradeshow is and we have succeeded!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2105 W 21st Street
Broadview, IL 60155 - Website: www.maxexinc.com
- Phone: 708-345-8430
- Email: max@maxexinc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxEx-Inc-116791647803/
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