Institute for Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Education Partner
Week 37 - May 9-13
10th Street Bakery Tour
Mr. Don Harweth
Owner/Baker/Decorator/Customer Service
On Tuesday, the CEO students were totally intrigued by Mr. Harweth’s business and products. After a short introduction about his background, Mr. Harweth took the students upstairs to show off his wedding cake rentals. He explained that although it may seem unconventional to rent a wedding cake, it has really streamlined his business with less overhead and less employees. To the students’ delight, he decorated and served a graduation cake to the students. Thank you, Mr. Harweth, for allowing us a peek into how your business operates and sharing your knowledge about being an entrepreneur.
Gaslight Vinyl Tour
Mr. Greg Bach
Co-owner
On Wednesday, the CEO students took a tour of a relatively new business in Belleville, Gaslight Vinyl. Mr. Bach along with his brother opened up their new business in January 2016. Mr. Bach shared their hardships about getting their loan to start the business. Because they were denied by everyone they contacted, they ended up getting a micro loan with extremely high interest. Since they believed so strongly in their business idea, they have sacrificed their living conditions and taken on 2nd jobs in order to lease the equipment and pay off their loan. He encouraged the students to follow their passion even when everyone else says NO! Thank you, Mr. Bach, for showing us a little about vinyl vehicle wrapping and making posters and banners. We wish you much success in the future!
Final Presentations
On Thursday and Friday, the students shared their final presentations to the class as well as board members, Geri Boyer and Renae Eichholz, and our home base owner, Kurt Artinger. Their presentations included the status of their business, their final financials, and CEO in general.
Alan's three key items that he learned this year were the importance of time management, how to write a business plan, and how to do financials.
Aliyah shared that her three key areas that she learned from CEO this year were: that its ok to fail, how to work with multiple personalities, and how to hold small talk conversations with people.
The three things that Emma felt like she accomplished in CEO were starting a business, learning how to have a firm handshake, and learning how to talk to people.
Erik said that the three things that he accomplished in CEO this year were writing a business plan, becoming more professional, and understanding the importance of accounting through creating his financials.
Heather added that her three accomplishments were being the CEO of the gala, learning how to give an elevator pitch, and strengthening her professionalism skills.
Three improvements that Melony felt like she made were being more punctual, being better with small talk conversations, and asking more questions about the world around her.Thank You to our Final Home Base
Big thank you to Kurt Artinger and the Artigem Replacement Services team for allowing us to meet in your training room this last quarter. We appreciated your spacious room, your “hands-on” approach, your knowledge, and giving us encouragement to the very end. Thank you so much!
Come & Go CEO Celebration
On Friday, the Belleville CEO students invited investors, mentors, and former speakers to stop by one more time in order to thank them for being part of the CEO Program this year as well as celebrate their upcoming graduation. Cookies and Cake were catered by our very own Douglas Gourmet Bakery as well as bagels from Mr. Artinger. Thank you to everyone who stopped by on our last day!
