Jill Hebert, frustrated with the lack of quality and commitment in the exhibits industry, started Matrex Exhibits with a home-equity loan.
Despite being pregnant and also having a 2-year-old at home, she knew she could outperform the competition, and that’s exactly what she did.
Her innovative strategies include:
- Technology investment. There are approximately 50 exhibit companies in the Chicagoland area alone. With such saturation, she knows she has to offer something different in order to be a cut above her competitors.
Matrex is a top-of-the-line exhibit company because of its rare technology. The technology is the online global design studio, which provides its customers a real-time 3D concept of each design. This innovation has allowed Matrex to interact with customers in real time to change a design’s appearance, options and colors while limiting travel expenses.
Customers can watch designers work on their exhibit and call in at any time.
- Competitive edge. Hebert’s focus is on quality instead of price. She is often pricier than her competition. However, the high-service touch she provides makes up for the difference.
In 2004, she lost a customer because of pricing. In 2005, this same customer came back because of the quality of service they missed while with a competitor.
Hebert also offers special services. One of her major clients is a large oil company that does approximately 150 shows a year. They continually call upon her with dramatically short notice, such as five days, to put up displays. She has negotiated with them to have one Matrex employee devoted to them for a monthly fee.
How to reach: Matrex Exhibits, www.matrexhibits.com