Participating in the Belleville CEO program has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Over the past year, I’ve grown not just as a student, but as a person and aspiring entrepreneur. This program introduced me to the business world and helped me become more focused, hardworking, and driven.

At the beginning of the year, I doubted whether I could be professional or start my own business—but I proved to myself that I can. CEO helped me develop essential skills like time management, communication, and leadership. I’m especially proud of learning how to communicate professionally with adults, which helped me mature and will benefit me for years to come. Of all the skills I built, my growth in leadership stands out the most.

This program also challenged me to overcome procrastination. I learned to set early deadlines and better manage my time. I became more resourceful and built valuable connections—especially with my mentor, Kevin Bouse, whose guidance made a lasting impact on me.

Working with my classmates on our Timeless Trivia business taught me the importance of collaboration. I realized that not everyone works the same way or shares the same ideas, and that’s okay. We worked through differences, and everyone contributed to our success. I was proud to create the trivia questions and play a key role in the project.

Most of all, CEO changed my mindset about entrepreneurship. What once seemed uninteresting became a passion. I’ve learned to carry myself with more professionalism and maturity, and I now feel confident pursuing business in the future.

Starting my own business—something I once thought was impossible—is what I’m most proud of. CEO gave me a clear picture of what business really looks like, and I’m excited to keep growing and stay connected with my classmates for years to come.