In 1973, 51-year-old Lloyd Hanson walked into a bank with nothing more than a business card and a business plan. Forty years later, his company, Hanson Directory Service Inc., is still going strong.

He had no money, no staff and no equipment, but with hard work, he prevailed. In his first two years, he ran the company from his basement. He hired his wife, Valora; his son, Dannis; his daughter, Cheryl; and his son-in-law, Mike. He had contractual agreements to produce directories for 11 telephone companies, and within few years, he moved his business to the Midtown Building.

In 1979, Hanson hired his son, Bill, who later became the president and CEO and had nothing but praise for his father.