Ian Hass, Nick Lippert and Martrell Robinson represented Belleville CEO on the Issues and Egg Panel.
March 2018
Nick, Ian, Josie, James, Jimmy, Elizabeth and Emilie spoke to one of representatives from the Illinois Center for Austim.
March 2018
After the meeting, Ian, Jimmy and Nick spoke with Mr. Turner and Mrs. Thomure about their class business.
January 2018
Mr. Bach told the students that they had to lease all of their equipment since funds were low.
March 2018
Mrs. Eichholz told the students that Precision Practice Management has grown to be in the top 30 largest medical billing companies in the country.
October 2017
Ian Hass
About Me
I am a senior at Belleville West High School. I began my interest in CEO after a good friend suggested it to me, who was well aware of my interest in becoming an entrepreneur. To further my business career, I joined the Belleville CEO program.
Outside of school, I work at the local Farmers Market. I also help manage an apparel company that a good friend started up a year ago, which started my entrepreneurial interest. In my free time, I enjoy capturing life behind a lens, as I spend time with photography and videography. In between that, I skateboard, which I have been doing for last 15 years.
I have a strong drive for success, and plan to continue my entrepreneurship interests after high school. Still undecided on a college, but I have a high interest in pursuing a degree in business at Arizona State University.
About My Business
My Featured Journal Entries
First and foremost, I’d like to start my last journal by saying thank you to those who contributed to helping the class be what it is. I cannot speak for past classes, but I feel as if the CEO class of 2018 was one of the best. The class will continue to improve and be better year by year, but I hope that this one in particular will be remembered by the investors, the students, and Mrs. Siebers. I cannot begin to emphasize how surprised I was this whole year as I learned so much more from any class than I ever have before. When my parents first heard that I was taking a class that required me to be up at 6:30, they thought I’d fail the class by the third week, due to my past history of tardiness during my sophomore and junior year. But the thing is, when you’re passionate about it, your motivation will conquer any barrier. I wake up thrilled to get to the class, to learn more, meet other business owners, and gain knowledge that I will continue to use for the rest of my life. When I tell underclassmen to apply for their senior year, they look at me funny, due to the wake-up time, the requirements, and dress code. But they don’t see the image in front of them. I was never a straight A student, NHS or any club participator, or anything along those lines. Yet I have a good head on my shoulders and a drive for a successful future. If I managed to not only be in the class but lead it as CEO for the class business, I’m tempted to see what other challenges my future will hold that I will now take down head on.
I will suggest this class to anyone who has the slightest bit of interest. If it wasn’t for Devin Alexander, I wouldn’t be here today with the wisdom I have. Once again, thank you, to the investors who make this possible, the business owners who have taught all of us so much, and our facilitator for leading us in the right direction.
05/04/2018
This week was packed with meeting multiple CEO’s and visiting businesses. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come in this class as a whole. Joining this class, I didn’t truly know what it entailed, besides the small bit of it Devin Alexander told me about last year. Going in, i just had the idea that it would help me start a business and give me experience in the entrepreneurial world; which it has, but I’ve gained so many more skills than i thought. Networking, being formal with others, public speaking, and much more skills have become a part of my everyday life. Whether it’s interviewing for a job, talking to my teachers, or just communicating with other people, I’ve noticed how many more intelligent people enjoy having conversations with me.
Besides that, this week was eventful. Meeting Matt Gilreath from Chick-Fil-A was probably one of my favorites. Nonetheless, the others were very informational. But meeting Mr. Gilreath was neat because I was able to see a side of the food industry that isn’t talked about much. When someone says, “I work for _______ fast food”, the first thought is a cashier or cook. But Mr. Gilreath travels often, meets quality people, and enjoys what he does- which i think is a big aspect in being truly successful.
04/27/2018
This week we switched to a new location, Artigem, and we has a speaker each day. A packed week, but a very informative one.
Tuesday we met with Patrick Mckeehan, who introduced our elevator pitches, and describes to us the best way to explain your business and get a customer in only 2 minutes. I found this to be one of the most vital to my own business, due to my idea and plans for customer attraction. I want my company to be about personal connection, to where the customer will never feel like how most people do at a dobbs or a valvoline; like they’re just handing over their car and knowing the price will be high. I want to able to cover the most critical points of my business in a short time, while also being able to gain them as a customer, or at least a person of interest. Definitely a skill I plan to build on and keep.
We also met with Kurt Artinger, CEO of Artigem. Mr. Artinger showed us around Artigem, and also gave a quick background on himself and the company. The main thing I picked up from Kurt was aggression in the business world. Kurt was and is constantly on the move, always on top and having the next three steps planned.
Brent Emmerich, another speaker who came to our class, showed us some vital websites and key tools online that will help for an organized business. Being in the age of technology and everything being available at the touch of our fingers, I think this was a speech that was also very vital to keep in mind in our futures.
Overall, this week was packed but provided a lot of information. The day of presenting ourselves and setting up our shops is getting near. I’m excited, yet nervous and curious to see how everything I have learned and the advice I have taken into my own account pays off.
03/16/2018
This week was what felt like the first full/ normal week in a while. CEO’s coming to talk to us, work days, and visiting business’s. Always a refresher to get back to the basics instead of the constant rush and chaos over our class business, having off days, or meetings at other locations. This week we met with Pat Mathis and Kevin Richter, Hamilton Callison, and we were also visited by JoAnn DiMaggio-May.
JoAnn visited to discuss and help with our individual business plans, which is always much appreciated. I think that we have learned so much from CEOs about how to actually run a business, and keep a business, but the start up paperwork has commonly been overlooked.
Knowing my business and thinking everything out months ago definitely helped with this process. Bringing it up/ talking with my mentor about it also helped immensely. Now that we have paperwork templates, it has become fairly easy to fill in the blanks; and I think that is where most of my classmates are struggling, for they haven’t put as much thought into it.
Regardless, the banker days are what has most excited me in the upcoming events. From this class, I have really learned how to public speak, and most times on topics or subjects that is either just repeated or explain. Being able to actually promote my own business drives my interest the highest. I’m curious to see how I, asking as my peers, do on those days.
03/09/2018
This week we had all work days, but on two different occasions I was able to speak out on what CEO is and what it means to me. Monday, West had a meeting of some juniors who are interested in the class. And Wednesday we had Issues and Eggs, which I spoke in front of the crowd as well. I have always appreciated CEO and what it has done for me, but until I put it into words did I realize how passionate about the class I was. In both speeches/ discussions, I mentioned that CEO has taught me more in one year every morning than any class in high school; and I mean that wholeheartedly. Communication, work ethic, and organization, are just a few of the things that I have learned and picked up on in this class, but I’m still picking up new things every day.
03/02/2018
This week was the first week after the event, and I can already feel the weight lifted from everyone’s shoulders. Starting back, Empire, who showed us a factory style to business that we had yet to experience , and McDermott, who did not focus on his business as a remodeler, but how to thrive as an individual.
Empire was something that I don’t think any of us have truly viewed before. A business that’s been around for ages, but still maintains an efficient work ethic. I personally do not see myself ending up in the machinery/factory field, but the visit was beneficial in terms of seeing areas that I had yet to see.
McDermott was a visit that was not like most, but definitely memorable. He spoke of his top four major keys to success. Body, Balance, Being, and Business. He went into depth on each one, and hearing life lessons from a younger but very successful CEO always sticks with me most.
We also finished the week off by figuring out our profit from the event. Despite the worry, we managed to sweep in 12 grand. I was hoping we’d at least reach 10, and we easily passed that.
02/16/2018
This week, we focused on completing our business plan, selling tickets and other obstacles that come along with every successful business. We met with Vine Ojeda, who explained to us everything that complicates the life of a CEO. He explained to us the iceberg; how above the surface, you see the small and bright cap, symbolizing the success. But, below the surface, hidden under the success, comes hard work, sleepless nights, stress, anxiety, and much more. I always knew this, as many of my friends who have started their own businesses emphasize the struggles of it when giving me advice for my personal company. Yet, hearing someone as successful as Vince say it was very beneficial.
We also met with Kelly Quinn, who taught us multiple ways of how to sell tickets and earn investors to help small businesses like ours. Being from the best buddies organization, she knew these areas like the back of her hand. She really spoke to us as individuals, and gave us advice that will be more than helpful in each of our own business adventures.
We also wrapped up our business plan, which helped us all get good first hand experience on how to create one, for we will have to do a typed out plan for our personal businesses. Despite the chaoticness coming from our upcoming event, this week was very informational. This next week will be our last week to sell tickets for the CEO event, which I hope will not frighten and stress our fellow classmates, but encourage them to sell tickets like no other for a successful night. The obstacles are really piling up, but I believe if we are all pig-committed this week, everything will turn out good.
Feb 2nd - This week, we really hustled. Despite having barely any ticket sales the week before , we really tried hard and sold upwards of 220 tickets. Most of my stress about the turnout is reduced, as I was concerned that we weren’t going to break 150. We also picked up another sponsorship, Matt Warren, which helped tremendously. Things are starting to fall in place.
02/02/2018
This week, being our first week back was a solid refresher, as it reminded us of how your mind cannot float from the goal in your business. Our break was needed, but it definitely side tracked our class from necessary objectives that needed to be completed for the Talent Show. Ticket sales, confirmation messages, and a few other things were forgotten, but we are now back on track.
Last Friday, we had past CEO members come in and give some words of advice about their flaws and successes that they wanted to remind us of. How to sell tickets, how to keep track of what needs to be done, and what the future in college looks like. All of this was very informational, and hearing it from people who are only a year older than me is a lot more relatable, because they can word their thoughts in ways that is sometimes easier to understand.
We also visited Memorial, where we mainly focused on our questions about income and paying off debt. As he spoke, I paid attention to as much knowledge as I could, because most of my concerns about becoming an entrepreneur after college associates with the debt that I will be graduating with, and from a CEO of a hospital, debt among surgeons are through the roof.
Overall, this was a very solid week, and I have been selling a good amount of tickets. I hope this week we stay on top of our game and truly nail down the objectives we need to-do for the business.
01/12/2018
Monday, our CEO class visited Roland Thouvenot, where the emphasis on how technology influences their entire business was a major topic. From scanners, to room observers, all the way to drones, their company thrives off the foundation of up-to-date technology, or “toys” as they liked to joke about. To me, this was something that was not completely foreign to me. My father, a technical director at HLK Advertising, constantly uses RED Dragon cameras, 360 view gopros, and drones in his work. Seeing these other high tech cameras/monitors in other workplaces besides advertising was very intriguing. Seeing the technological advancement as millennial is almost scary in a way, because I realize that by the time we all become entrepreneurs and businessmen, technology will undoubtedly be a necessity to everyday work.
Tuesday, we visited Auffenberg, where Jaime Auffenberg explained his business journey, and his company objectives and goals. As I have always been extremely interested in cars, it was nice to see something in that nature. Meetings like these last two never fail to open my mind up to other possibilities that I could attain in the entrepreneurial world.
11/24/2017
Despite that last week was a shorter week, a lot of information was covered over the last fourteen days. Not only were the speakers very open to the obstacles they overcame when they found their career path, but the class as a whole had major progress.
Mr. Betz, owner of Fletchers, was extremely vocal about the necessities needed within each entrepreneur for success. He got his two major hit points across by a metaphor; a chicken, can produce an egg for food, and still continue to live. But a pig, will have to die to produce the food needed. Mr. Betz explained that there is always two mindsets when running a business. Being chicken committed, meaning that you will provide for the company, but never risk your own neck for it. But there is also pig committed, which is when you are willing to die/ risk it all for the company that you are running. This really stuck with me since we met with him, as I have come to notice that your commitment to a business can truly make or break it. True success will come with sacrifice.
Furthermore, our class business has began to make more progressive steps. We finally landed firm on our venue, the Scottish Rite. This was a major first task that needed to be accomplished to further pursue the other obstacles. Now that this is completed, we can start advertising, creating tickets, decorating, and much more. I am more than excited for the upcoming event, but I hope that everyone, if not already, becomes “pig” committed to the show for a successful night.
11/17/2017
This week was a major turning point in my learning experienced because of two speakers and one event. All of the speakers and trips in the past have been extremely informative and meaningful, but this week something seemed to click internally. To start, Renee from PPM gave us a complete tour of her building, and also went into depth about the risks she took to get where she is today. The designing of her office, the expansion from starting so little to growing large, and the multiplication of her workers seemed very chaotic, yet I have the feeling she always had things under control.
We also met with John Perles, where he talked about his entrepreneurial journey and the different steps that he took to get where he is today. The main thing that I picked up from this speech was that confidence is key. Mr Perles mentioned multiple times that he did not have much experience in the areas that he was working in, yet his confidence pushed him through. His story about the confrontation of Claire’s copying his ear cuff was funny, but also very credible, as he went in with no plan but other than to stand his ground. And it worked.
Wednesday afternoon, Nick Lippert and I went to an investor luncheon where we gave speeches about what the CEO class has done for us. Personally, I had never presented/ publically spoke in front of an audience besides a few English classes during school. But despite being out of my comfort zone, I think both Nick and I did an amazing job representing the class. Speaking to everyone there did not make me feel like a young kid who is just reading what I wrote on a paper the night before, but a young entrepreneur among others.
10/27/2017
Over these past two weeks, our CEO class got to see two completely different sides of the entrepreneurship world. The main things that stuck out to me were complexity of Rauckman’s company, but also the simplicity of Neal Eilers’s Etsy business. Seeing Rauckman's warehouse and learning about his come up was very interesting, as he showed his risk taking aspects when he told us how he got to where he is now. Hearing how simple inventions of his turned into such a large and brilliant company reminds me that you do not always need to reinvent the wheel to be successful. His simple inventions such as higher quality gloves, electrical pole caps, squirrel blockers, etc. are all inventions that were already invented, but he just slightly changed them for a more efficient way that became very profitable.
On the contrary, Neal Eilers showed us how entrepreneurship and individuality among a side business can be very profitable and easy. Mr. Eilers does not do his business as a full time job, but he has a brilliant work ethic and manages to fit everything in and still come out on top. Small side companies like this, his running through Etsy, always puts the thought in my head that no matter what business I decide to pursue in life, I can always manage to fit a more individual one on the side for personal income. Something like what Mr. Eilers has would be perfect in college, as it is hard to maintain a true part time job while taking classes. But, if I were to have my own small personal company, I could factor my own hours and production, which would determine my own income. Meeting with entrepreneurs like Neal Eilers is always a good experience.
Furthermore, our class has been growing rapidly in our class business, as we have now truly established a plan, a date, and what needs to be done. We have split the group into numerous committees to tackle different objectives needed for the night to work flawlessly. Overall, I think we are heading in a good direction, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds and how the class business will turn out.
10/20/2017
This week was not very eventful, in terms of traveling to other businesses, but I still managed to get a lot out of it. We finished our badge project and received our ID’s, and to me that was very surreal, as we are now seeing our work truly paying off. We also had three elections, for COO, CFO, and CEO. Going into the class, I did not imagine myself being CEO, or any other higher position, as I assumed there would be other students who the job would suit more efficiently. But, as the class improved, I noticed that I did as well, and I decided to run for CEO. Knowing Nick wanted it as well, we decided to team up, as he is a good friend of mine and we work together in sync. After our successful speeches, we received the CEO position. I am more than thrilled for the things I will learn while attaining this position.
Thursday, we had another mentor meeting, which I always enjoy. Meeting each mentor is always an excellent experience for me, as I realize that each person has knowledge and wisdom that I can learn from. I have already filled out my surveys, and I am more than thrilled to receive my mentor and learn from/work with them. I believe that a mentor can help our class beyond what most think, and I plan to take full advantage of it. Each week in this class continues to rise my excitement for what is to come.
10/06/2017
This week in CEO, we became closer as a team, and stronger as individuals. From this week, I mainly observed two things. The first being from Roger Lowry, who helped me see that there are business out there willing to work with college students and want to give them chances to prove themselves. I felt more reassurance hearing this, as a big struggle for me personally has been what I will do after college. Hearing Mr. Lowry speak and explain his own personal struggles to success enabled me to understand that failure is inevitable, and you can learn from your mistakes to build yourself. Meetings like these give me more confidence concerning what the future holds.
The second aspect that I picked up from this week was the ability to use your resources to strengthen your business and expand your company's potential. The mentor meetings were very successful, as I was able to not only conversate with knowledgeable information, but I also connected with them. The small talk that I had with the mentors ensured me that they were jus as, or if not more, excited for the productivity potential from our CEO class. We have not yet received our personal mentors, but I am excited for who I receive and the business wisdom they have to share. I look forward immensely for the future before me.
09/29/2017
This week, our class progressed tremendously, not only through our badge project, but also individually, as we visited three different businesses. At Kaskaskia Engineering, we learned about essential working conditions that helps a business thrive. Whether its accountability, being comfortable in your work space, or having faith as a team, Kaskaskia has major hit points to follow to help them strive as a company. Hearing this helped me understand the other necessities needed besides the focus on profit.
Wednesday, we went to an empowering meeting, where multiple speakers talked about their quest to success, and how rewarding determination can be when the goal is reached. Versatility was mainly covered in these lectures, as each person had intriguing stories to tell. From Elvis impersonations to Olympic medalists, every climb to success was different. At the end, we were grouped together and had to create a shirt that would sell the fastest. Through this, our group tied together and created a brilliant idea and design that would surely sell fast. Doing small activities like this excites me more to begin our class project and individual business.
Finally, we visited Kurrus Funeral Home, which was an aspect to the business world that I never put much thought into. Of course, this was an extreme example, but there are multiple business venues that do tasks that most people do not think about when they think of an entrepreneur. Kurrus helped me see this. As each week advances, I begin to collect more knowledge about the business world than I ever would have imagined. The snowball of ideas in my mind for successful enterprises only grows as the year goes on.
09/22/2017
Starting this week out, we met with Garrett Reuter, Ed Hoering, and Brian Mentzer. Through these speakers, they showed and explained us the law and accounting side of each business, and how they correspond. Giving their speeches and explaining the positions they play in the entrepreneurship world was an eye opener, because it gave me a better visual on the other aspects that apply to a successful business. They talked about the common problems and mishaps that are often skipped over when forming and growing a business, which will come back and hurt, or even destroy a thriving company.
As our badge project continues on, our whole class has been extremely productive, working on collecting sponsors and working together on designs. The fact that each individual in the group is taking on an investor will help us strengthen our project, but also ourselves. Next monday, I will be meeting with Dave Zura of Allsup to discuss investments. From this, I hope to not only learn from my own speaking skills, but to hear out Mr. Zura’s responses and how he reacts to our prepositions. Judging by our progress in the project now, I believe that my meeting with Mr. Zura will be our last investor needed to order the shirts and ID badges. I look forward to that immensely.
Meeting with Mr. Mentzer was very eye opening, as his entrepreneurship experience is not creating his own companies from scratch, but rather taking past ideas and reinventing them for more success. Whether it’s his innovation and drive for sales with the storage units, or his policies on his apartment rentals, he showed a different perspective of business to me that I never thought much of. Seeing his investment plans and morals that he has stayed true to helped expand my thoughts to other business possibilities.
09/17/2017
I think, so far, as we head into week 4 of CEO, I begin to really realize what CEO has instore for my fellow classmates and me. Week 3 has brought many things to my perspective, and has made me realize a lot more of how the real world works, and what it will actually take. I really enjoyed going to talk to Tyler Douthitt's house. It was a little weird being at his house instead of at an actually business office, but that is the way a lot of jobs are done now a days.
Tyler Douthitt's presentation to us hit on main points such as the power of connections, sometimes having to take the risk, putting yourself out there, set goals, and always look towards the future. The world is constantly changing around us, and we, as entrepreneurs, can always find new ways and innovations that lead us toward success. Success does not come easy, and sometimes it does not come in ways we expect it to.
On Friday we stopped at Althoff. I think the biggest and coolest things about Althoff are their new stream lab and athletic complex being built. Principal Harris talked to us and gave us a tour of how and what it takes for Althoff to run especially for a private school that does not get funded by the government. However, Mr. Crotty had the coolest life story and challenges I have heard. From him, I think I learned that making connections is a big thing that leads to success, but also find something you love and pursue it.
I am excited for the next weeks to come in this class, and to see what it brings even more of. As the badge project continues, we expand our network, and are forced to put ourselves in talkative positions with some business investors. In the following weeks, Jimmy, James, and I will even talk to Mr. Zura of Allsup. I look forward to helping out my class in this project, and I can not wait to see what this next week has in store.
09/08/2017