At the beginning of the year, I was overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect from the Belleville CEO program. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, I worried I wouldn’t find my place. Looking back, I can say CEO helped me grow into a more confident, skilled, and well-rounded individual. I developed pitching, leadership, and collaboration skills by learning to take initiative during group assignments and speak comfortably with anyone I encountered.
I entered the program with little experience in the business world and felt I had little to offer. I questioned whether I had the skills to engage with experienced business owners. But I soon realized I brought something valuable: a fresh perspective and new ideas. CEO helped me find my voice and value in professional settings through experiences like the start-up lanyards and class business.
One of my first big challenges was the lanyards project. We had to fund and design them ourselves for our business tours. Coordinating decisions with the whole class was tough—everyone had different opinions, which stalled progress. I learned to take initiative by forming a smaller group to streamline decisions. This helped move the project forward and taught me how to lead and collaborate effectively.
Another key experience was our class business. I worked on the marketing team for our 5K event, helping to create videos, flyers, and social media posts. Working with my teammates allowed our ideas to grow—we’d share concepts and decide together what would have the biggest impact. We supported and pushed each other to improve everything we worked on.
My view of entrepreneurship has also changed. I once wanted to start my own business, but now I realize I prefer helping build someone else’s vision. CEO helped me discover that and opened my eyes to new career paths.
Finally, I’m grateful for the friendships I’ve made—especially with Sophia from East and Lilliana from Althoff. I began the year nervous about making connections, but I’ve built relationships that made this journey so much more meaningful. Belleville CEO has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life and shaped me into a stronger, more capable businesswoman.
