Lanora Haradon has over 20 years of experience in the book industry including owning and operating an independent bookstore for 3 years. She has a B.A. in English from Ohio State University and has held roles such as freelance graphic designer, sales representative, and president of the board for the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. Her skills include customer service, leadership, marketing, and inventory management.

1. Lanora Haradon
N69 W6575 Bridge Road
Cedarburg,WI 53012
(262) 416-6698
lanoraharadon@yahoo.com
L
Education
B.A. English, Ohio State University, 1997
Experience
Key Skills
Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Freelance Graphic Designer Seasonally 2012 to present
Created and designed the association’s 24-page holiday catalog with a circulation of over 200,000.
Project includes the creation of the cover art, layout of publisher placed ads, as well as the specific
cover customization for over 25 individual member participating bookstores. Directed all technical
communication with the printer and details for the direct mailing portion of the catalog.
Sales Representative
The Penworthy Company
March 2015 to present
Quickly established personal relationships with school and library clients in order to smoothly
transition the territory from field to inside sales. Doubled sales goals within the first two months of
employment. Grew the territory by effectively recapturing lapsed customers and prospecting new
customers, generating on average 7 new customers per month. Since the beginning of this fiscal
year, have consistently increased sales 6% to last year.
Next Chapter Bookshop, LLC
Owner/Managing Member April 2009 to September 2012
Experience and skills associated with running and operating an independent unique retail business,
including sales, staff management, inventory management, financial analysis, data analysis, superior
customer service, marketing & PR, display and visual merchandising. Fostered partnerships with
other local businesses and local community groups. Submitted proposals, worked with publicists in
planning and executing over 300 author and book related events.
On a volunteer basis, oversaw board and executive committee meetings, worked in partnership
with the Executive Director ensure board resolutions carried out. Mentored and provided training
and education for member independent booksellers. Worked on various committees in planning and
executing many aspects of the annual trade show and other association events.
September 2010 to September 2012President of the Board
Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Independent Bookstore Manager September 2002 to March 2009
Quickly promoted within 18 months to be the General Manager of the Downer, then the Mequon
location. Responsibilities of managing the retail operation of each store included meeting sales
goals, inventory control, management of a staff of 12-20 people, display and visual merchandising,
management of magazine and gift inventory, community outreach, financial progress reporting and
budgeting, executing author events, training and superior customer service.
Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops, Milwaukee
• High-touch customer sales and service
with an emphasis on long-term
relationship building.
• Team building, leadership and people
management.
• Diverse teaching and coaching
experience.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite,
Sage CRM, Above the Tree Line and
Edelweiss.
• Twenty years experience in the
competitive retail book industry.
• Highly adept at developing the repeat
customer.
• Self-motivated with initiative.
• Grace under pressure with equanimity
and flexibility.
• Deep and direct experience growing
product lines through promotion and
advertising.
• Extensive expertise in creative
merchandising, advertising, promotion,
and marketing.
• Strong inventory management, control
and data analysis skills.