Heartland Alumnus Returns for Business Opportunity

If you’ve stopped by Hiebner Body Shop in recent months, you’ve likely seen a familiar face has reappeared there. Lance, the son of owners Lowell and Susanne Hiebner, came back to Henderson in October of 2015 to work there. For him, this was a return to the family business and the place he had spent an abundance of his life growing up.

It was a Henderson Chamber meeting that spurred on the idea of business transfership in the minds of Lowell and Susanne, ultimately bringing Lance back.

Hiebner Body Shop was started in 1977 when Lowell returned to his hometown of Henderson after attending a tech school for autobody work. He spent the first difficult years building up a clientele. Since then, he has been faithfully serving Henderson and surrounding areas. Ten years ago he also added to the business by becoming a dealer of Hustler lawn mowers.

Although Lowell is a few years away from retirement, when he heard speakers Chamber Director Kelsey Bergen had arranged teach about having a business transition plan, he took notes. Taking the ideas and information to his wife Susanne, they concluded it was wise to begin looking down the road to the company’s future.

They sat down with their children Kristin and Lance to explain the concept to them. Lowell and Susanne also decided to extend the opportunity to each of them to explore the possibility of eventually taking over the business. After discussion and consideration, their son Lance concluded that it was the right move for him.

There are stories about Lance teething on wrenches at the shop before he can even remember. Saturdays were spent tagging along with his dad there. After graduating from Heartland, Lance earned a degree from UNL in Business Management in August of 2014. An inherited interest in automobiles from his dad and a business degree became the perfect combination for Lance’s next career step.

After indicating to his parents his interest in returning to Henderson to work at Hiebner Body Shop, they all met up for an interview and discussion. “When I sat down with them, they asked me right away what I had to contribute to the business,” commented Lance. At this point he realized this was a serious endeavor.

It was determined that upon his return, Lance would be the manager of the shop. Since officially joining the staff, he has taken on the duties of customer relations, estimates, working with insurance adjustors, and working in the shop. Lance manages schedules to ensure the best utilization of mechanical work time for other employees Clay Bittinger and Jeremy Hoffman.

When asked about his return to his hometown, Lance said he has enjoyed it. “I like knowing who I pass on the road, and I have many conversations with people when I am around town.”

This month Lance will be marrying his fiancee Sheila who is a teacher and volleyball coach in Central City. For now, the couple will be residing in Aurora.

As Lance continues to learn the ropes from his dad, they will proceed through the business succession. Eventually Lance hopes to buy into Hiebner Body Shop. For his dad, who built the business from the ground, this is exciting. Lowell remarked, “Lance will be a good face of the company. He has good people skills.”

While Lowell continues to transition Lance in, he is dreaming of a future with less work more free time. He has visions of being able to hop on his motorcycle as he desires to drive to Beatrice and visit his grandson. And thanks to the concept of business transition, hopefully Lowell will be doing that soon while the Henderson community enjoys having Lance around.