I have known about the CEO program since before high school because one of my family friends is a facilitator. She always told me how amazing the program was and that I would have to do it when I was old enough. Since I have loved business and finance since I was a kid, she was right the CEO program was a perfect fit for me. This year has taught me lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
One of the biggest ways I have grown is in leadership. As the CEO of our class business, I had to step up, take initiative, and make sure everyone’s voice was heard. I learned that being a leader is not about doing everything yourself, but about motivating others and helping them succeed. Everyone brings something different to the table, and learning how to bring those strengths together is what makes a team successful. I also proved to myself that I can step into leadership roles even when I am uncomfortable. Throughout the program, I developed important skills like networking, problem-solving, public speaking, and adaptability. The skill I am most proud of is networking. By putting myself out there and building real relationships, I was able to connect with people like Tre Bryant. That connection led to an internship with his business, Renewed Grace Logistics, where I got to see firsthand what it takes to run a business. That experience alone showed me how valuable relationships can be and how just putting in just a little more effort can mean all the difference.
This program also changed the way I think about entrepreneurship. I used to think it was just about starting a business, but now I see it as a mindset. It is about constantly looking for opportunities, solving problems, and improving. That is something I will carry with me into the future. I am especially grateful for the people who made this experience impactful. Nick, thank you for pushing us to grow. The board members for investing their time, and my mentor for guiding me in finance. Overall I am beyond grateful for CEO and wish nothing but success for the future of this amazing program.