Belleville CEO's First Annual Trade Show

Trinity Financial Group

Mr. Mike Dunnigan, President and Owner
Mrs. Verna Dunnigan, Licensed Admin
Mr. Craig Spihlman, Registered Representative
Trinity Financial Group – Friend of CEO

On Monday, the class traveled to Trinity Financial and learned about the importance of investing in stock. Mr. Mike Dunnigan showed the class that anyone can be a millionaire, just by simple investing tricks. In addition, two other speakers, Mrs. Verna Dunnigan and Mr. Craig Spihlman, talked to us about the life and work of Trinity Financial.

Written by Erik Faulkner

Mr. Mark Kern & Mr. Terry Beach

Mr. Mark Kern, County Board Chairman
Mr. Terry Beach, Director of Economic Development
Friends of CEO

On Thursday, the class travelled to the courthouse to hear from Mr. Mark Kern and Mr. Terry Beach. The duo are very invested in the St. Clair area and explained some of the current resources and issues that go along with their jobs. They described the importance of the Mid-America Airport and they also talked about what Scott Air Force does for the community. To conclude, they told the students about an exciting new project they are hoping to bring in the area, and with it, thousands of jobs.

Written by Alan Plantz

Saying Goodbye to Barcom Security

Belleville CEO would like to say a final and huge thank you to Mr. Bartle and the staff at Barcom Security. We had a great time at our third 'home base' and can't thank you enough for the resources and support you have given us at your fine facility. Thank you!

Just A Reminder!

Our door is always open. Entrepreneurs, visitors, guests, and friends are welcome and highly encouraged to join us. Drop in and share your story with our students or participate in our class discussions. Check out the schedule on the website.

If you are interested in hosting our students for an educational visit about your business operations or would like to speak to the class and share your story, please email the facilitator, Julie Siebers, at jsiebers@bths201.org or call or text her at 618.719.3177.

Journal Tidbits

There is a recurring theme that each speaker has in common: uncertainty.  Uncertainty was prevalent this week.  When we visited Trinity Financial Group and the Court House, the people we listened to talked about how they were not sure what they wanted to do with their lives.  It is okay not to be undecided about what you want to do now.  Experience and time will pave the path you should go on.  We will find what we love to do within time. 

At Trinity Financial Group, we had the privilege to listen to Mike and Verna Dunnigan and one of the other advisors, Craig.  Mike and Verna Dunnigan demonstrate how marriage and work can correlate with each other.  They were able to withstand the stress of their jobs to taking of their children at the same time.  They had the opportunity to support their children in whatever sports or activity they participated in school. 

What I found really interesting is when Mike discussed about investing.  I did not realize how much money you can make from investing just a small amount of money and see how it can change to millions of dollars.  He said this statement, "Let money work for you, not let you work for money."  Mike also spoke about how success in business comes from who you influence.  I really thought to myself, "How can I make a difference?"

One of the advisors at Trinity Financial Group, Craig, defies what makes a typical businessman.  He has the disease of cerebral palsy.  Craig did not let his disease stop him from doing what he loves.  Mike Dunnigan has taken him under his wings and Craig has learned a lot from him.  Craig wanted us to think about 3 people who have inspired us and why they have.  After listening to each speaker at Trinity Financial group, I am really considering in minor in finance because of the opportunities it offers to a person.

At the courthouse, CEO had the chance to listen to Mark Kern and Terry Beach.  Mark Kern talked about his experience of finding what he wanted to do with his life.  He told us we have control of our destinies.  The major aspect he discussed was how logistics was the main business of St. Clair County.  The largest business of the county are the business inhibiting it.  He talked about how it is good skill to keep an eye on our money because it can affect how successful or devastating a business could be. 

Terry Beach talked about how location and demographics are a significant part of business.  A huge project is moving NGA near MidAmerica Airport.  It will bring more people to area and create more jobs.  Also, they both spoke about how a business plan is marketing not only your product/service, but yourself.  St. Clair County is a business within itself.  Mark Kern and other government officials are working hard to convince people how great the community is like we are with our personal businesses.

It is crazy how fast the year has gone!  I still remember the first day of CEO at Allsup.  My classmates and I were all tentative and did not know what to expect what the program will teach us.  We were awkward to say the least.  Now, we are comfortable with each other.  Having a small group of people can have its pros and cons.  Each of us have our strengths and weaknesses.  We have figured out what ticks one of us off and what clicks with us.  It is pretty remarkable how far we have grown within these months from being complete strangers to creating friendships with people we never expect to have.  Even though none of us want to admit it, we have become a family.  I am so grateful to be a part of a program that has become the foundation for many young people's, like myself, future endeavors.

Written by Sandy Amorado

Trinity Financial Group was a neat experience. I had never really looked into stocks before, but I think it would be a great investment. Maybe I'll ask my parents to buy me some stock instead of buying me birthday presents this year.  I liked the chart that he showed us on how to become a millionaire. It's so simple on paper and when you actually put it into perspective, it doesn't seem like it would be that hard to achieve! Especially if I start saving money now and made a conscious effort to save money. I was thinking about some of my weekly expenses, like Starbucks, and realized that if I saved that money instead of getting coffee, I would save an incredible amount of money by the end of each year. A budgeting class would be a great class to offer in high school. I know a lot of students, especially me, would benefit from a class that shows you all your expenses and how to mange them long term.

I learned a lot of new things from Mr. Kern and Mr. Beach. I really liked how they talked about the Mid-America Airport. I have never been there before and would be interested in taking a tour of the facility one day. The NGA place that could potentially come here is cool. That would be awesome if that many jobs were created in Belleville. It's interesting to me to see the cycle that happens when new jobs are available because every type of business receives benefits.

Since I have been apart of this class, my way of thinking has changed. For example, on Tuesday I went to a concert in St. Louis at the Pageant. I couldn't help but think of how much money was made and the business aspect of a concert. Ticket prices were $70 minimum and the venue was sold out (2,300 capacity). That's $161,000 minimum from ticket sales not factoring in the higher priced tickets. Plus a $3 fee for every person under the age of 21, plus beverage sales, etc. Then I think of other things like how does The Pageant decide who they want to come to their venue, how did The Pageant get the performer over another venue, and how much profit did The Pageant make at end of the day? These are all questions that I think about wherever I go. It's crazy to think that only 8 months ago, my way of thinking was no where close to being like this.

Written by Aliyah Gillespie

I wish investment was as easy as Mike explained it to be. I remember one time I tried to learn the stock market and how it works but there's just so many thing you have to know. I do like taking risks though so if I were to ever understand the stock market I would do it in a heart beat. Mike Dunnigan is such a smart guy that I felt like I couldn't keep up with him. I think maybe because investment is just a lifestyle to him it's kind of hard to explain to other people.  

 Writteny by Emma Gregowicz

Before I started in the CEO Program I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life after high school other than go to college. I have been given the opportunity to see how all different businesses work and it has opened my eyes more in my daily life. Originally I had planned on going into marketing which I may still do, but I have so many possibilities it is hard to decide on one. I really enjoyed going to Trinity Financial Group because when Michael started speaking I knew right away I was going to like him. We both have some similar views although I don’t know nearly as much as he does about financials. My parents and grandpa have taught me a lot about financials and how to always save 10% for myself whenever I get paid. When we were given the sheet on how to be a millionaire it made me think of my grandpa. He had given my brother and me the same exact sheet a few years ago. I had always been interested in money, but until a couple years ago I did not fully understand how stocks and investing worked. “It’s better to have your money work for you than you work for your money.” A quote that hit me the most was, “The people that influence the most people, make the most money.” I have always like helping people and it is something I find important in my life. My goal in the future is to have a well paying job to help support my future husband and kids, while doing something I love. If I can have this while at the same time influencing other people, I consider that very successful.

Our personal businesses that we are working on right now is not easy. I opened up my bank account for Goose Prints yesterday. It was kind of challenging because in order to have the company name be on the debit card and have people write checks directly to the company you have to go through the court house. I don’t know if all banks are like this, but mine is. Therefore, I opened up a separate account for Goose Prints, but people have to write the checks to me. I also made my first monogram last night and I was very excited. Hopefully everything will fall into place. I am so busy with these last couple months of school so it will be hard to stay on task with my business, but I will get it done.

Written by Heather Gosebrink

This week of CEO was a very fun one mostly because it had my favorite visit. That visit was Monday to Trinity Financial. I just love seeing how investing can turns people's lives around the way it did for Mr. Dunnigan. It truly is a special businesses because anyone can do it, it just takes a lot of time and studying to learn what you need to know. He made a lot of very good points that I live by and that's how investing your money is always better than putting it in a bank. That could just be on a mutual fund to. If you’re actually trading actively, you could see your money double or triple in months. Following that trip we finished up our financials for our class business which was really good to get done. Even though it was somewhat boring following page by page of that book, it was necessary for us to see a path we can take financially for this class business.

Later in the week was our last visit on Friday, the courthouse with Mark Kern. This trip was one that really intrigued me because of all the mixed opinions I have heard….Many people in the community have talked about how much of a flop it is and how it was draining money out of St. Clair County. But, Mr. Kern did present a lot of very valid points such as the most successful dual airport in the country and how the arrival of the NGA to St. Clair County will start bringing in more traffic to the airport. Overall, great week and two of my favorite visits so far this year.

 Written by David Rauckman

Trinity Financial Group with Mike Dunnigan was so nice. They we’re really welcoming, especially his wife, and they had a lot to offer. So, the “rich get richer.” This was one of the main points of interest for Monday’s class. First of all, he made it clear that students don’t learn about money in school. Well, not really at all the way we should. Rather, we learn more about making it, but not how to keep making it with less work. He called it “learning by osmosis” which means they expect us to pick  up the tools to earn more money that way! We learned that the rich are just really good investors. The reason they don’t have to work as much is because their money works for them in the stock market. What I remember most is how he presented buying and investing in stocks to us. Simply investing money into stocks that you think will prosper is the best way to go. I don’t have an apple phone, but I do have apple products in my home. The apple company makes very good money, especially when they sell a new phone, so it makes sense to invest in those stocks. He also mentioned that if you look at Kmart’s parking lot and Walmart’s, that will tell you alone where to invest your money. Even McDonald’s is a great choice for investments. I like that his wife spoke about they were to managing over a one million dollars. It’s so rewarding to hear encouraging stories like theirs. She also made it clear that we won’t have the same success unless we’re willing to work hard for it. Basically, it’s simple to invest in stocks. One last point Mr. Dunnigan made was a heated political topic that has been around for years. Should the wealthy entrepreneurs and corporations pay more in taxes. I’ve known for political figures to make it seem like those people are just greedy and money hungry individuals. Until we examined it more, I thought that was true. But now I consider that those people make their money fair and square. They hire many many people to work for them. They create American jobs. If they were to pay so much money in taxes, they might have to lay off those workers and possibly lose money. That’s a very big deal to think about.

I really like this week’s video from Craig, too. The ideas for those products people created were so unique and cool. I was really discouraged by some of the young students in our class because they said my product would be a bust. But after thinking about it, who’s product that has ever been successful wasn’t thought of as “bust” at first? The cool device translator seems like a great idea. If the creators of it can work out the glitches, I will buy one for sure! Supporting other entrepreneurs is important to me because everyone needs the chance to become successful.

Written by Malik Marks-McRath