Lana Jane Lewis-Brent – Sweet Success

BY VAL SCHOGER; PHOTOS BY VAL SCHOGER

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What’s In Your Closet?

Closets hold heirlooms, closets hold secrets, and closets
hold treasures, dreams, and hopes.

We were not after dirty laundry when we asked local residents the question: “What’s in your closet?” The question quickly became a wonderful way to learn more about a person’s life and bits and pieces about their past, the paths they have taken, the lessons they have learned and the plans they had. Have a peek into local personalities’ homes and lives as they open their closets and share anecdotes and stories with us while showing off the items that have emotions attached, items that they will never part with and items that will always be vivid reminders of what once was and still is special. [/box]

Lana Jane Lewis-Brent is a former Vice President and later President of her family’s chain of Sunshine-Jr. Food Stores. She had an opportunity to sell the family business in the early 90s and became the president of her husband’s art and design venture, “Paul Brent Designer, Inc.”

She has always been involved with his art gallery and, once she assumed the role as president of the business, she helped grow the licensing of the artwork.With its retail location in downtown Panama City, the Paul Brent Gallery is a well-known destination for art and design enthusiasts. You have probably bought or seen reproduced artwork by Paul Brent without even recognizing it to be his work. From pillows to shower curtains, Paul Brent’s beach-inspired designs can be found everywhere.Agreements with over 90 manufacturers that produce home décor, stationery, apparel and gifts are in place.

The first thing you will hear people admiringly say about Lana Jane Brent and her husband Paul, is “We are lucky to have them here in Panama City.” And, if you are lucky enough to be invited to the home of the Brents, a revelation awaits.With modern design, the house features large windows that let in a lot of light and offer a beautiful view of the bay.Shelves and walls are filled with stunning artwork, but the most enthralling original is still Lana Jane Lewis-Brent herself.

What does the closet of Lana Jane Lewis-Brent look like? If you expected evening gowns and much ado, you will be disappointed.Her closet holds items that prove both, her sweet sense of humor and the accomplishments of a businesswoman… and no frou-frou.

What items in her closet would she never throw away? A smile brightens her face as she pulls several cardboard boxes from the shelves that are filled with anything you could imagine that bear a Tootsie Roll logo. There are unique toys and clothing items, from a vintage looking tin lunch box to a warm scarf.All bear the Tootsie Roll logo.Her smile gets broader as she points, “I wore this at a Halloween party a few years back.” It is a Tootsie Roll full-body costume.“It was so much fun. I received all sorts of comments.”

Paul Brent adds anecdotes about several other Halloween outfits and soon everyone is laughing while listening to the stories, envisioning the Brents as the most daring and fun at each party.

So what is the Tootsie Roll enthusiasm all about? Who would have expected the business twist.As Lana Jane explains, “I am a member of the board of directors of Tootsie Roll Industries, headquartered in Chicago.This is my 28th year as a director.”

With over 500 million dollars in sales last year, Tootsie Roll Industries is an American tradition and have been in business for over 100 years.Lana Jane points out that over the years other brands, such as Junior Mints and Andes Mints were added to the list of brands owned by Tootsie Roll Industries.

“What many people don’t know is that it is a publicly traded company, and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TR” since 1928.Most people are surprised to learn how long Tootsie Roll Industries has been publicly traded.”

Board meetings are held four times a year. Three of the meetings are usually at headquarters in Chicago and one in Boston.“After each board meeting, as a thank you gift, a gift box filled with Tootsie Roll wear, toys and sweets arrives at our house.”

Her personal favorites are Andes Mints and the traditional Tootsie Rolls. “I love sharing the Tootsie Roll products with friends and family.I always keep a bowl of Tootsie Rolls in my office. I am on the board of the Panama City POPS Orchestra. We had fun giving out Tootsie Roll pops at the POPS concerts. The motto is ‘We are sweet on the POPS’.”

Lana Jane is one of the original members of the Committee of 200, an invitation-only membership organization of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.

Among all her accomplishments, her membership in the Committee of 200 is a fascinating byproduct of success. Lana Jane explains, “When the group was founded in 1981, the objective was to find the top 200 businesswomen in the US.At the time, you had to manage or own a company that had over $ 5 million in sales. It was begun in Chicago by a group of women and I was invited to join.Initially there were only 60 women members, now there are over 400 members from companies worldwide. The group certainly created visibility about what women have achieved.I am sure that this has played a part in women setting higher goals in what they would want to achieve in their professional lives.”

She points out that a lot has changed throughout the years. “I believe in terms of expressing oneself after education, the entry level is more acceptable and easier than it used to be.Certainly since I was bringing up my sons, a lot has changed.” She remembers that she was not the typical mom. “My two sons did not even volunteer me for any cookie-baking projects.They knew that that would not be my talent.”

Has anything changed with the Tootsie Roll products throughout the years? Lana Jane states “A lot of unusual flavors were added with Caramel Apple being one of the most successful ones. The packing has changed as well. They now have pouches. But the flavor remains and is an American tradition.”

 

 

[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2013/08/Val.jpg” ]Val studied communications and marketing in Germany and holds a marketing degree. She had a corporate career and has worked for nine years in media, PR and marketing internationally in Germany, England, the Caribbean and the United States. During an extended sailboat cruise n 2003, she traveled to the Gulf Coast and subsequently to Navarre, Florida and was immediately smitten with Northwest Florida. She started her first business in 2004 in Fort Walton Beach and as of July 2013, she became the sole owner and publisher of Panama City Living Magazine. She obtained her Merchant Mariner Credential (Captain’s License) right here in Panama City at SeaSchool and enjoys being on the water when she finds the time. [/author]