Throughout the CEO program, I learned how important it is to work with others who have different strengths and perspectives. Collaborating with people who thought differently than I did helped push my ideas further and made projects stronger overall. At the beginning of the year, I thought entrepreneurship was mainly about having a great idea and running with it. Over time, I realized that being a good entrepreneur means being adaptable, resilient, and creative when facing challenges. One of the habits I developed this year is seeing problems as opportunities instead of roadblocks. This mindset is something I will carry with me into college, business, and whatever projects I take on in the future. I’m most proud of creating Coop’s Barbecue Sauce and building real excitement around my product. Taking it from an idea to something real, with social media pages and community support, showed me that even small steps can make a big impact. My project helped me connect with people in the community, taught me how to market a product, and showed me how powerful a strong brand can be. I saw firsthand that hard work and genuine passion can leave a positive mark. The CEO program has definitely influenced my future plans. I am even more excited now to study business at the University of Kentucky and to continue exploring entrepreneurship as a real path forward. One thing I want to keep developing is my marketing and branding skills. Storytelling and connecting with customers are powerful, and I want to keep getting better at it. I am so thankful for the mentors, teachers, and family members who supported me throughout this year. Their advice, encouragement, and real-world experience made a huge difference in my growth. If I could give advice to someone starting the CEO program next year, I would tell them to be open to new experiences, trust the process, and not be afraid to take risks. You learn the most when you step outside of your comfort zone.
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