At Banterra, we strive to be your financial partner in all aspects of your banking needs, including offering products that fit your unique needs, building strong relationships, and providing support in every way we can to help your business succeed. One of the ways that we show that support is through Banterra’s “Meet The Merchant” blog series, which provides insight into the entrepreneurial journey of some of our business customers and then promoted through our marketing channels. This month we are proud to feature Lone Oak Trophy & Signs, owned by Cayce Brunswick and his wife, Rachael. For over 50 years, Lone Oak Trophy has been creating custom awards, signage, and engravings while building lasting relationships with their customers. Their commitment to quality, creativity, and community has allowed them to thrive as a trusted business in Paducah and across the region.

Tell Us About Lone Oak Trophy & Signs

On the awards side of our business, we custom create and build a wide variety of products: trophies, plaques, medals, ribbons, glass, acrylics, cutting boards and other wood pieces. We also do laser engraving and sublimation, making us an all-inclusive awards and trophy business. If you can dream it, we can probably build it.

We are also a very successful sign shop, creating and manufacturing a variety of indoor and outdoor signs, vinyl stickers, and banners with an emphasis on marine and industrial applications. Our products are built and shipped all over the United States.

What Was The Inspiration Or Motivation In Starting Your Business?

Our business was started over 50 years ago by Pat and Hubert Smithson, who saw a need for an awards business  in Western Kentucky. From there, the trophy shop grew to include the signage side of the business, and  later expanded further with Four Rivers Marine Signage as a separate entity, all operating under the same roof.

Did You Always Dream Of Becoming An Entrepreneur?

I didn't always know what field exactly, but I always knew I wanted to work for myself. More than just a paycheck, I wanted something to show for the time and energy I was putting in.

How Has Your Business Grown Over The Years?

Over the years our business has grown by leaps and bounds. We’ve continually added to our product line and expanded our customer base whenever possible. The process itself hasn’t really changed, just the size of the jobs and the materials we’re able to work with.

What Have You Done To Achieve Such Growth?

It's all about relationships. My wife and I both enjoy people, and we focus on making each customer feel like they are our only customer. While we can’t always offer the lowest price, we can always offer more care and love.

We have built lifelong friendships with customers who know we are truly invested in them.  Word of mouth has been huge for us. Once you create that relationship and people know they can trust you to deliver what they want, the way they want it, at a fair price, they will tell others.

What Is One Piece Of Advice You'd Give To Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

People will fire someone they hire, but they won't fire their friend. If all you ever are to your customer base is someone hired to do a job, and you don't do anything to become more than that, you'll eventually lose them. Sometimes the only thing between you and an online order is the relationship you have built with your customers.

How Does Your Community Play A Role In Your Success?

Our community is our success. Since 1969, this business has been a staple in Western Kentucky. The previous owners had strong, lasting friendships with their customers and we've tried to continue those friendships while also building new ones. Many customers remember coming in when they were kids, maybe their dad or uncle coached little league and picked up trophies here. Just walking through the door is nostalgic for them, and we are trying to preserve that.

How Has Banterra Helped Your Business To Become More Successful?

The employees and staff that we have worked with have been so helpful and accommodating to our needs.

We believe relationships are very important in business. To us, it’s very important to get to know everyone in our community. A good friend of ours works for Banterra, and she encouraged us to stop by to see what Banterra could do for us, not just for the business, but personally too. We stopped in with the intent of just being friendly and not actually moving banks, but they were so kind and understanding we decided to give them a try. We are so grateful we did. Banterra has been a great fit for us.

Staying Connected With Lone Oak Trophy & Signs

Lone Oak Trophy & Signs has built its reputation on strong relationships and quality craftsmanship, offering everything from custom awards to full-scale signage. To learn more about their products and services, or to see how they can help bring your vision to life, visit their website or their Facebook page.

Choosing Banterra As Your Business Banking Partner

Banterra is proud to support our business customers within our communities over the last 50 years. Whether it is banking products, loan offerings, or treasury management tools, we are dedicated to solutions that fit the unique needs of your business. If you are looking to start or grow your entrepreneurial journey, and need a bank that is truly a partner, connect with our team today.