HOWDY Y’ALL

Introduction

My name is Lonna Born.  For the last ten years, I have owned and operated a horseback riding lesson and day camp program in the Eugene-Springfield, OR area.  I have lived in Springfield all my life. Out of high school, I attended community college and received an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree.  My family was always in the financial industry, so it was inevitable that I would work in a financial institution. I became a loan officer on my 18^th birthday. I worked in several banks in varying positions. I was a business and vault teller and also worked in operations and programming for the upcoming debit card industry.  This was in 1999, and the Y2K scare. It was an exciting time to be in the banking world. After maternity leave when my son was born, I decided to try my hand at another part of the finance industry, the world of collections. In my former life, as I have grown to call it, I worked my way into an executive management position in a large collection agency in our area.  I held that position for over ten years.

FBI RAID!

Working sixty hours a week and attending SOU full-time as an undergrad left me unable to support my son and his education. Initially, I took a collection management position for a non-profit lending company.  This organization received grant funds to loan to small business owners to grow their businesses. Unbeknownst to me, the organization was on the verge of collapse. Four months into my tenure, a man in a black suit stormed into my office as I was on the phone, flipping a badge in my face. He told me to step away from the computer and collect my things.  The FBI was raiding us! I was marched to the cafeteria, where we were interviewed and advised of the expected events. Little did they know I had a loaded handgun in my purse! I tried to approach the agents discreetly.  They escorted me to the car to place my weapon in the trunk.  My coworkers were staring at me wide-eyed! They were eyeing me suspiciously and asking what I had done. I had to tell them I had been packing around a loaded gun every day! I found out later that the organization had been misappropriating government funds. A few days later, the executive board and our attorneys completed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy. I was let go the next day. My services were no longer needed as the business shut down.  

Another New Chapter

I took that as a sign to turn my attention to my son, his sports, and education. I left corporate America in 2013. As a lifelong avid equestrian competitor, team coach, and 4-H leader with over twenty-five years of experience, I transitioned to building my equestrian business into a full-time business venture.  It would probably surprise you to know that I rode bulls and was a rodeo queen in my teen years!

My office is now a barn, surrounded by horses and smiling students, or dogs being shown at an event. This life has been less lucrative, but far more rewarding. I get to influence, encourage, and mentor youth daily. I often find myself somewhere between second mom, coach, and best friend. It has been gratifying. My oldest students are now in their thirties and bring their children and grandchildren to me for lessons. One of my former students is my chiropractor!

Gone To The Dogs

I also show and breed Australian Shepherds that compete in conformation, rally, agility, and obedience in various organizations. There is never a dull moment around here. I often joke that I have a horse, a dog, and other people’s children, one in each hand.

Here We Go Again

A constant overachiever, I recently enrolled in grad school at Southern Oregon University to pursue my master’s degree in business administration. Now that my son is “all grown up”, I have decided to open doors to corporate America again, should I need to venture back.

More to come! I am off to check on our new puppies! Nothing is more precious than sleepy puppies!

Stay tuned for updates!