Like many great companies, PSI Product Specialists experienced a humble beginning. The company was founded out of Lisa LaBanc’s family laundry room in Chesterland in 1988. At the time, LaBanc was a recent college graduate working for a leasing company. Her father, Gary Wieland, was employed at Ohio Bell.
“My father was a serial entrepreneur at heart,” LaBanc, president of PSI Product Specialists, describes with a smile. “Since I was a child, I can remember him having several side businesses and project ventures. He owned a landscaping company, snow removal business and property management firm. He was a hard worker and loved business. At Ohio Bell, he received an award for one project and asked if I would put some information together for his presentation. That information led me to sourcing parts and putting together a kit used for routine unit repairs used worldwide in the telecommunication industry.”
She continues, “I was able to market that kit anywhere other than Ohio Bell to avoid any conflict of interest due to my father’s employment. This kit led to many kits, which led to many customers, and here I am today 32 years later. My father, retired some 15 years later from the phone company and came to work with me. Working together, we had many great years and amazing adventures. Now he is completely retired but always available as my personal and expert consultant.”
PSI Product Specialists was initially established as a manufacturer and supplier of air-pressure products for the telecommunications industry. Today, PSI’s diverse offerings also include pole-line hardware, safety gear and apparel, and a patented retroreflective coating. “PSI’s special product division is a unique team with expansive production capabilities that excels in designing, developing, and producing custom products as well as reverse engineering and redesigning existing products,” LaBanc says. “Our primary customers are telecommunication companies and public utility companies.
The Ohio University graduate admits, “If anyone would have told me I would be running an industrial business, I would have laughed and shook my head. The truth is, like my father, I love business. I inherited his entrepreneurial spirit. I like designing, marketing, selling and creating partnerships.”
Currently, PSI Product Specialists, located at 11655 Chillicothe Road in Chesterland, is answering the cry for sanitizing products during the COVID-19 pandemic. “A partner of mine, from a previous endeavor, introduced me to an opportunity to help market and bottle sanitizers for hands, surfaces, and laundry across all industries. These products are revolutionary, and the need is critical. We are running full speed ahead trying to combat this virus and making people aware of our products. We are focusing on government contracts, and research and development projects.”
The creative business entrepreneur grew up in Chesterland and is excited to grow her business in the county. She also owns and operates Lisa LaBanc Properties, and Elements Fitness Studios, a 6,000-squarefoot, state-of-the-art workout facility, located on the same property as PSI.
She concludes, “Right now our future goals are put on hold while we try to navigate through these difficult times. Honestly, the pandemic has taken its toll on us, just like every small business. Sales are down. I am doing my best to keep all of our employees employed. I am optimistic that we will find our way to the other side. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later. However, as long as everyone arrives on the other side safe and healthy, I will consider it a win.”
–By Margie Wilber
