Students, faculty, and community members gathered to hear Riner share about how the sale for gently used children’s clothes, toys, and accessories outgrew their family living room and is now hosted at the Conway Expo Center twice per year.

Mrs. Rhea Lana Riner pictured with Dr. Tracy Suter, Chair of the Marketing and Management department at UCA

A stay-at-home mom, Riner began the small sale in 1997 to help her family and friends reduce the cost of children’s clothing and other items. Her husband Dave’s love of technology helped her namesake company grow from a few consigners to over 2,500. She explained how her strategy and leadership has grown over the years.

“My family is the reason I started doing this, but I also love helping other families,” said Riner. She added that when the company began franchising in 2008, she discovered her passion for mentoring other women to become business owners.

When asked her advice for new entrepreneurs, Riner said, “outwork everybody you know.”

The BT����Marketing and Management Department has studied Riner’s success as an entrepreneur as well challenges endured such as the company’s investigation by the Department of Labor. Several faculty members submitted a case study to the Journal of Critical Incidents about the court proceedings. Riner spoke for a short time about the challenges of the , saying that the company is now better than ever.

“Hosting Rhea Lana Riner today is significant. We’ve submitted a case study about her work, and it was incredible to hear her experience directly from her,” said Dr. Tracy Suter, Chair of the Marketing and Management department at UCA. “We hope to continue this pattern of producing case studies about successful Arkansas entrepreneurs and bringing them here to share with our students.”

Rhea Lana staff member and COB alumna shares with current student

The group shared lunch before the presentation and a question and answer session. Riner also brought several of her staff, which allowed one alumna of the BT����business program to share her experience as a Rhea Lana employee with current students.

Established in 1969, the BT����College of Business offers 21 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates to equip current and future business professionals to successfully and ethically meet the changing business environment. The AACSB-accredited program offers a thorough business education as well as opportunities for hands-on experience and industry networking.

The Entrepreneurial Speaker Series was created to expose BT����College of Business students to successful men and women who have distinguished themselves in business by their entrepreneurial abilities. All speakers are Arkansans that have been meticulously selected to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. The series is designed for a small group of select students to allow for greater interaction between the speaker and the students. Speakers for the series have previously included business and community leaders such as: John Allison, Governor Mike Beebe, Kristian Anderson, Governor Mike Huckabee, Todd Ross, Steve Strange, Alex Lieblong, Sheffield Nelson, and others.

After a few opening remarks, Dr. Tracy Suter, Chair of the Marketing and Management Department, interviewed the guests.

The Mahans shared about their entrepreneurial venture called where they produce all-natural beef, pork, and poultry. The Mahans are experts on supply chain, shipping and logistics, tourism, social media, farming, land conservation, and more.

Before they began this venture together, Alan spent 28 years as a general contractor and Angela was a college professor. They enjoyed their careers, but after they married and blended their families, they were led to farming, a long-time family tradition for both.

“The defeats are tough, but the victories are sweet. One victory will propel us past ten defeats, and having a partner to share it with is even better,” Alan Mahan told students. “She [Angela] has her lane, and I have mine. We’re together every day all day, and I never get tired of it.”

Rabbit Ridge Farm is unique in their philosophies. In their pastures, they begin with the grass that feeds their animals because they believe, “we are ‘what we eat’ eats.” The micronutrients from the grass are transferred to the animals as they graze and wander. The Mahans believe in complete transparency and welcome people to come to the farm, including the “Venue” where they serve Rabbit Ridge home-grown food on site and offer rooms that allow people to stay overnight on the beautiful, peaceful farm. Rabbit Ridge also supplies restaurants with Rabbit Ridge Farms meats and sells online orders to individuals.

The Mahans were upfront about the challenges of entrepreneurship and the value of the mentors that have contributed to their journey. Angela said, “we started some revenue streams to pay the light bill. It wasn’t like ‘If you cook it, they will come.'” They shared about the many relationships they have made with visitors and other farmers, saying relationships are their favorite part of the work.

“Being an entrepreneur is a life choice, a life commitment that requires sacrifice,” added Angela.  

The College of Business was thrilled to welcome the Mahans to bring their vast expertise to our business students and allow them to ask practical questions.

Learn more about these sixth generation farmers and Rabbit Ridge Farm from the , , the . Also be sure to check out as well as .

This event was sponsored and originally founded by Mr. Bunny , a former chair of the BT����Board of Trustees, a long-time supporter of the BT����College of Business, a known prominent business and government leader in Arkansas, and a previous Allison Series speaker himself.

The Entrepreneurial Speaker Series was created to expose BT����College of Business students to successful men and women who have distinguished themselves in business by their entrepreneurial abilities. All speakers are Arkansans that have been meticulously selected to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. The series is designed for a small group of select students to allow for greater interaction between the speaker and the students. Speakers for the series has previously included business and community leaders such as: John Allison, Governor Mike Beebe, Kristian Anderson, Governor Mike Huckabee, Todd Ross, Steve Strange, Alex Lieblong, Sheffield Nelson, and others.

Dr. Tracy Suter, Mr. Bunny Adcock, Alan Mahan, and Angela Mahan

Before the interview day, you’ll also get a review of your resume and training about how to dress appropriately and deliver an impactful interview.

Spaces are limited, so sign up as soon as possible. Download the details and contact BT����CAREER SERVICES at 501-450-3134 or careerservices@uca.edu.

IT Career Connection: Tuesday, September 14, 2021

• Students must be classified as a Junior or Senior by the first day of Fall 2021 classes
• Must be an Applied Math, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems or MIS major
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Graduating: December 2021, May 2022, August 2022, December 2022, May 2023, or August 2023

Career Connection: Wednesday, September 15, 2021

• Students must be classified as a Senior by the first day of Fall 2021 classes
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Graduating: December 2021, May 2022 or August 2022

Outstanding students are those who take advantage of educational opportunities and show exemplary academic performance through internships, professional development and experiential education, volunteerism, and participation in clubs and activities.

The following students were awarded an outstanding status, chosen from over 1600 undergraduate and graduate students:

• Ashley Phipps, Outstanding General Business Student
• Bethany Arnold, Outstanding Insurance & Risk Management Student
• Brandon Scott Phipps, Outstanding Master of Business Student
• Claire DeBusk, Outstanding Accounting Student
• Daryl Adopo, Outstanding Finance Student
• Devin Gilbert, Outstanding Master of Accountancy Student
• Elsa Mattson, Outstanding College of Business Student ���Ի���Outstanding Economic Student
• Emma McKnight, Outstanding Marketing Student
• Jack Bornhoft, Outstanding Logistics & Supply Chain Management Student
• Kayla Dean, Outstanding Management Information Systems Student
• Lucas Southard, Outstanding Management Student
• Laura Lane, Outstanding Marketing Student
• Logan Tribble, Outstanding Innovation & Entrepreneurship Student
• Rohan Saxena, Outstanding Information Systems Student

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

The BT����College of Business includes:

• Over 1600 Majors and Graduate Students
• 62 Total Faculty
• 15 Undergraduate Degree Programs
• 3 Graduate Degree Programs (MBA, MAcc, and Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics)

The goal of the BT����College of Business����s to provide a hands-on, experience driven, education that prepares graduates to take on global issues. Through our diverse programs of study and distinguished faculty and staff, we take creative, engaged students and give them the tools to succeed when they earn their degrees. Our students travel the world, start their own innovative businesses, and join established businesses across the country.  Whatever their next step, our students are ready to make a positive impact.

Learn more about our programs of study and distinguished faculty and staff.