CEO Business Visits

• Jim & Shirley Rauckman, Owners (Investor)

CEO Guest Speakers

• Neal Eilers, Owner

This week in CEO we visited one business and had one presenter. Also this week was a short week consisting of a day off and two work days. The presenter was Neal Eilers of Super Bit Kicks, and the business we visited was Rauckman Utility Products.

Monday we went to Rauckman Utility Products where we met Jim and Shirley Rauckman. Jim, and Shirley gave our class a tour of their business. Rauckman Utilities makes parts, gloves, and sells products for large distributors/companies. The main buyer of the utilities products are power companies, and city public works departments. The tour included the two showing us the meeting area, 3D printers, and molds. I was surprised that this business includes a lot of work with 3D printing, and how expensive it is to have a 3D printer. Dave Rauckman explained that the maintenance, and the cost to produce 3D products is time effective, efficient and expensive. I was also surprised that many of the products are made for keeping wildlife away from power lines, electric currents, or building nests in bad places. I liked that this business has an aspect of recycling, and being environmentally aware. I liked that the business provided more than one service, sold more than one product. The presentation from Mr. Rauckman was intuitive, and entertaining. He had a really great sense of humor, and made our class feel very comfortable in his business.

Wednesday we had a presentation at Barcom from Neal Eilers. Neal Eilers is the owner of Super Bit Kicks. Mr. Eilers is the sole owner of his business, he prides himself on his technique, business ethics, and product sustainability. His business is primarily custom sneakers. He designs, and customizes canvas sneakers. He explains how he sets his price margins based off of his labor, and materials. His technique is very unique and specific to his brand. He began his business in high school, and continues it to this day. I liked his presentation because it was very relatable because I am interested in what his business is about, because his business has an art aspect, and is very hands on. It was refreshing to have a small business owner who is relatively, young, and who sells a product rather than a service. I liked that his presentation, and his business isn't really cut, and dry.

Epiphany Smith
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Epiphany

This week seemed very short. On Monday we met at Rauckman Utility Products. One part of the company they are pretty much the middle man. They recommend products to companies, take the company's orders and then send that to the company that the product is from. The other part of their business is selling their products. They make very different products for businesses like Ameren. Although right now they have been focusing on making utility gloves for linemen. Right from their business in Belleville selling them all over the world. They have been working on this product for years and they are still working on getting it perfect. Only one other company makes gloves and they aren't very customer friendly and they take as long as they want.

On Tuesday and Thursday we worked on our class business. We made a pros and cons list on The Shrine and The Scottish Rite. Also two different rooms at the Scottish Rite. We chose the Scottish Rites cafeteria area. It's going to take a lot of work and decorations to make it how we want it but we should be able to do it. We are also in the process of choosing a name for our business. We have a couple ideas but we are trying to figure out one to do with our theme. Our whole business is having a theme around the Belleville fountain and celebrating Belleville. We're wanting to give back to the community that helps us and is the reason we have this class. I was sick on Wednesday so I sadly did not get to hear Neal Eilers speak. This coming week we have three work days and I think we will get a lot done.

Claire Randle
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Claire

This was yet another truly exciting week for my class mates and myself for the CEO program. As we took a couple trips and slowly but surely made even more headway on our class event, as we have now narrowed down the search for a venue.

We began our week by paying a visit to Rauckman Utilities in Belleville.  This was a really interesting visit as the owners were incredibly generous as soon as we stepped foot in the facility.  It was awesome seeing all of their technology, like their 3D scanning and printing capabilities. Then we were given a tour of where their products are produced, and it is incredible once you realize how much technology and machinery goes into making all of these different products and pieces.  Everything there really put in perspective of how far technology has come over the years and how it has helped many industries like production and distribution in the business world.

The rest of the week consisted of work days where we have narrowed down the possible venue to be the Scottish Rite in Belleville, near Memorial Hospital.  There is still a lot of work to follow with the venue but as of now progress is progress, and we need to keep working.  Now that we think we've decided the venue we can figure out really what we are capable of hosting as far as scale and capacity go.

In final this has been yet another exciting and productive week for the CEO class, and as always I can't wait to see what's in-store for the many weeks to come!

Cole Maul
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Cole

Second week at Barcom security starts off on Monday with a visit to Rauckman Utility Products. On Tuesday our class met at Barcom to discuss our class business plan. On Wednesday our class listened to Mr. Neal Eilers about his self-employed business of Super Bit Kicks. On Thursday our class met back at Barcom and had another work day to discuss class shirts and our class business plan.

On Monday our class met at Rauckman Utilities to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Rauckman about what really goes on the inside and took a tour around the factory. While listening to Mr. Rauckman speaking I learned the importance of investing into your company. Mr. Rauckman Explained how he invested into buying a 3D printing machine and how it really wasn’t needed at his factory but it would save him money in the long run.

On Tuesday our class met at Barcom to discuss our class business plan. Our class introduced a business plan which we discussed in class. We took votes on the subjects like voting for the location which was the Scottish Rite building.

On Wednesday Mr. Neal Eilers came to Barcom to discuss his self-employed business called Super Bit Kicks. Mr. Eilers taught me that when starting a business your product doesn’t have to be “the next iphone” as in the next big thing. He taught me that a product can be based off of another product like how he customizes name brand shoes and sells them for a profitable price.

On Thursday our class met back at Barcom to discuss putting in an order for our sponsored t-shirts and to discuss our class business plan. Starting off Thursday talking about putting in an order for the sponsored t-shirts. We also made some decisions over our class business plan and also made committees for setting up the whole fundraiser.

Devin Alexander
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Devin

After ten very short weeks of CEO class, the investors and companies never fail to impress me. We always learn something new or gain a new perspective on the business world.

On Monday, we visited Rauckman Utility Products. I thought that their company was very interesting on how they have to patent many ideas so that the competition does not steal the idea. I liked watching the 3D printing, and scanning of Jaylen's face. I also liked watching how the gloves were made, and how some need special adaptations due to missing fingers.

On Tuesday and Thursday, we had workdays at Barcom. We are making huge strides in the class business, and I think we have the keynote speaker nailed down. Things can move forward a lot quicker now that we have the date and venue nailed down. I think the Scottish Rite will suit our business well…

I enjoyed meeting with Neal Eilers. He has found his own niche in the business world, and enjoys what he does. He is a very creative and artistic person, and he uses his talents to create customized shoes. I really enjoyed hearing his passion about his company. He relies on positive reviews as validation that his company is the real deal. He is also willing to work through any complications, and I think that is very important in the business world. I think it is very important that I follow his example, and pick a business that I will enjoy working on, and that I am passionate about

Stephen Waltrip
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Stephen

Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it. (Steve Jobs). This week in CEO was not really about working on your businesses, it was about finding out what you want to do and do it with your best ability. We met Jim and Shirley Rauckman, from Rauckman Utility Products, and Neal Eilers from Super Bit Kicks.

 The week started out at Rauckman Utility Products. It was a massive warehouse full of wonderful toys and great people. I got to get my face 3D scanned and they are going to 3D print it onto a gnome, which I find super cool. Mr. Rauckman told me two really good quotes. He told me to always have a brand no matter what it is you do. Most people in our society buy name brand things just because it looks better than the non-name brand when it is the same exact product or service. He also told us to Believe, yes it's very cheesy but true. Miracles do happen sometimes; you may get a lucky break and have someone invest in your product to the point where you not only grow as a company, but a franchise, and then a franchise to a dynasty. Mrs. Rauckman also told us that “For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his/her happiness on major events like a great job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.” which is a quote she was told when she did believe her husband's passion for engineering was not the job he was doing behind a desk.

 The next day we got to talk to Neal Eilers who took our CEO Pictures for the website. Mr. Eilers gave us some really good tips on how to run your business if it is mainly going to be an internet business. Mr. Eilers runs Super Bit Kicks. Super Bit Kicks is an online store on Etsy where you can have a shoe customized by Mr. Eilers himself. Mr. Eilers uses mainly vans that he usually buys in bulk. Mr. Eilers told us that advertisement may not be as good as you think. He was telling us that sometimes paying to get your word out will not always work because people will not always pay attention to what you are writing. If you're product is good enough the company will advertise itself. People will spread the word about your company and more people will be wondering what your company is and what you guys do.

 This week of CEO was short and sweet but it had tons of good life lessons and tips. Plus I got my face 3D printed which is wicked awesome. CEO is just flying away hopefully we can slow down a little and catch our breaths.

Jaylen Davis
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Jaylen

This week and Belleville CEO, our class visited the headquarters of Rauckman utility products and was visited by the CEO of Super Bit Kicks Neal Eilers.

At the headquarters of Rauckman utility products, our class had the privilege of experiencing next level technology. A lot of the products and items we observed on Monday can be found on the Rauckman utility products website. Not only were the products that were displayed to us useful and environmentally friendly, but the people were extremely caring of their work as well. The staff at Rauckman is incredibly nice, and the way they care for their customers’ safety is second to none I've seen in a company such as theirs. For instance, Rauckman utility Products manufactures its own electrical gloves, and even goes as far to make custom gloves for workers who may need to have unique gloves made (such as ones with missing fingers).

Including the next day, our CEO week consisted of mostly workdays so we could focus on the details for our class business. During those times we discussed what may make our class business better than when we last discussed what it may be. I am grateful for these workdays because it gives me a chance to interact with my fellow CEO students. In this situation I get to learn how to incorporate different ideas into the same project, but also how to deal with clashing personalities.

On Wednesday Neal Eilers came to speak to us about his small business Super Bit Kicks, this was especially encouraging because Neal Eilers does not have a generational business or has not worked his way up into an  already successful business. His style of making custom shoes and T-shirts is the closest thing that has come to our individual businesses, and it fuels our drive to know that there are still methods of getting ahead for young entrepreneurs like ourselves.

Alayna Wells
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Alayna

Our class kicked off the 10th week of CEO with us visiting Rauckman Utilities. I’ve noticed that a majority of the people we have visited have risked a lot when they attempt to kickstart their businesses usually putting everything on the line and also having kids at the house. I respect that these people have such strong confidence in their business and that they will do anything to get there. The thing that I really took away from Jim and Shirley Rauckman was their emphasis on branding. Jim talked about how branding can easily make or break a business and that nothing is more important than a good reputation. He also stressed that having a catchy or clever name for a business will ultimately make your business stand out compared to your competitors.

On Wednesday we met with Neil Eilers who owns an online store and is the art teacher at Belleville East High School. I thought that it was really interesting that Mr. Eilers had been drawing on shoes with sharpies and markers when he was a kid and he turned that art hobby into a fully fledged business. The shoes are now made with some sorta press thing and they look really nice. I would describe in detail further how he makes the shoes but that whole process went over my head since I don’t know much about art. After looking at his website I’ve considered buying a pair of shoes because they look so amazing...

Joe Beussink
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Joe

The road to success is never as easy, simple, or short as one plans to be. It takes hard work, dedication and perseverance. Yet success is still defined differently, varying from person to person. The more time and effort you put into a project, the more you will learn along the road to getting to where you wish to be. Even though we've only been in CEO for a few months, we've already started being able to use methods from our past experiences that worked, and eliminate those that didn't. Every time we have a new work day, our team has come together to become increasingly more efficient and self-sufficient.

On one of our visit days this week, we went to Rauckman Utility LLC. Their only customers are power companies. Their main service is to keep power lines working properly and not being tampered with by squirrels and birds. Mr. Rauckman attended Wolf Branch, Belleville East, and SWIC. He then went onto electrical Engineering, later working for Emerson. Most engineers are introverts and he felt he needed an extrovert. Mr. Rauckman was moved around the USA for his work, then around the world, visiting many different places. Soon, however his visitations started slowing down and he grew bored and started to hate his job after being stationed in one place. So, having the mind and heart of an engineer, he started his own business. One half is advertising such and takes commissions as pricing, while the other half is his product lines. Rauckman sells multiple products across the world that increase the durability and endurance of electric power lines.

Later on in the week, Mr. Neal of the Super Bit Kicks team visited us. Super Bit Kicks has its origins while Mr. Neal was still in high school. His first products were made by buying cheap shoes from Walmart and customizing them. Started his advertisement by wearing his own product. Then he went on to buy his own equipment and utilizing his own unique customization and printing abilities. Mr. Neal utilizes his side business to supplement his other sources of income to maintain his ventures to this day.

Royce Payne
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Royce

On Monday, our class visited Rauckman Utilities Products.  We saw one of Mr. Rauckman’s employees use a 3D scanner on Jaylen and Martin’s faces.  It was really cool because I have never seen a 3D printer or scanner before.  Rauckman Utilities Products has a lot of inventive and useful technology.  They have taught me that it is important to make a product that is cheap to make with high quality products.  It is also important to find creative and efficient ways to make products.  I learned that my business should have a brand.  Mr. Rauckman did a demonstration with grocery goods and showed how widely known brands are more popular.  This is what I hope my business can become. 

On Tuesday, our class met to discuss our class project.  We decided on the Scottish Rite as our venue and on the date of February 7.  We are currently working on the name of the event as well as choosing a speaker.  Jack has created a budget for the event and projected estimated costs and profits.  I think we did a lot on Tuesday and are working very efficiently with our limited time.

On Wednesday, Neal Eilers came to speak to our class.  Mr. Eilers owns Super Bit Kicks, a business that makes customized shoes, shirts, and sweatshirts.  Mr. Eilers taught me that I should invest in my business, but I should also be aware of how much I am investing.  I learned that I need to keep track of finances and only invest what I know I can afford.  I also discovered that if you mark products too cheap, it can make my brand appear cheap.  I now know that business is finding a balance between marking products at the correct price, investing, and keeping track of revenue, cost, and profit.

On Thursday, our class continued to work on our class event.  We decided on the name, Around The Fountain: A CEO Experience.  I believe our class decides on topics more quickly when we say all our options and take a group vote.  This gives everyone the opportunity to express their opinion.  We also discussed different tiers for sponsors and what they would receive for each tier. 

Kaitlynn Borik
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Kaitlynn

With another week in the books, CEO has gotten even better. As we progress throughout this course, it is getting the job “vibe.” As we have worked with small businesses before,  Mr. Eilers was the perfect example of what I like to call a “Side-hustle.”  Working with trends on a consistent basis has proven to be a successful part of Neil’s business, Super Bit Kicks.

As with the previous weeks, there are certain aspects that stand out to each individual in our class. As Mr. Eilers started his business of custom shoes in high school, it led to a profit making small business. It is like most of our mentors’ startups, they have all ran smaller businesses and it often has led to other doors. From what Neil talked about, he’s used Super Bit Kicks to in a sense launch his higher education by using the profits to pay for his expenses while being enrolled in class. If anything Mr. Eilers is a clear example of an entrepreneur.  As I have stated earlier, his actions correlates with many of our other mentors and he has used a small business to propel him to other things, such as his professional teaching career.

Let’s talk about the class business. Having made up some progress, our class is starting to take responsibility for our assigned tasks. Slowly, like most things we are reaching our goals and getting the class tradeshow going.  Our class is incorporating a motivational speaker and a silent auction, it will be interesting how we accommodate for these events. I really appreciate Tim and Stephen for having a typed out memos each day. It has done well to keep our progress running.

I personally think we should try to advertise more for just our class.  While at CEO empowerment day, we saw a class that did a micro business that paid for their vests. If we do something along these lines we can have more money coming in for our class business expenses. It will be similar to our badge and shirts and will benefit us as winter is coming.

Austin Thurman
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Austin

 This week we visited Rauckman Utility Products and Mr. Eilers talked to us about his custom shoe business. We learned a lot of cool things from these two. We also had 2 work days.

We visited Rauckman Utility on Monday. They showed us some really cool gadgets around their factory. We got to see a 3D printer and scanner as well as bigger factory equipment. They also taught us the importance of branding. They said a brand is one of the most important thing when it comes to a product. A brand that is catchy and easy to remember helps with advertising.

They also told us about their story. They shared with us how it is scary to start your own business but sometimes you just have to go for it. They also gave us some tips if we ever have a “midlife crisis” such as taking out a home equity loan.

Mr. Eilers talked to us on Wednesday. He talked about his own business which he can run out of his house. His business evolved from simply drawing on shoes to actually printing on them. He told us how he created his own unique way to print onto shoes. He also taught us about etsy, a website for selling products. I learned from this that no matter what I do with my business, that there will always be ways to make it easier on myself. Mr Eilers for instance, instead of making his own website to sell product, he made it easier in himself by using etsy. I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Eilers because I could put myself in his shoes. He didn't have a ground breaking idea. Instead he just improved an existing one and made it his own. He doesn't have any fancy machines or factories and he does the work himself. Very interesting.

As far as our class business goes, we are making good progress. We have people hopefully getting the information they said they would. Our budget looks good and we have all of our projections set. I think the hardest part coming up is going to be figuring out our sponsorships and then actually going to get them.

Tim Donaho
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Tim

Week 10 of CEO class is now over. It was a fun week featuring a guest speaker and a visit to Rauckman Utilities. Tuesday and Thursday were productive work days while we did not have school on Friday.

Monday was the visit to Rauckman Utilities, and it was amazing to see their products and how they produce their goods. They are another family owned business that was started because Mr. Rauckman absolutely hated his job. He left his job and took the leap of faith to start his own business. Mr. Rauckman is a perfect example of how I want to live my life, I do not want to settle for a boring job where I am told what to do. I must be able to take this leap of faith and believe in myself that I can successfully run my own business.

Wednesday Mr. Neil Eilers came to us to speak about his business Super Bit Kicks. Although he is a school teacher, he has a little side business that he completely runs by himself selling custom shoes and shirts. He has been running this business in his house since he was in high school. We always go to these big businesses that can be intimidating to us, so it is nice to see a business that we can actually see ourselves running right now. He talked about how having good customer service can lead to better customers and more success down the line. If you treat your customers right, they will advertise for you and bring in other customers. If you have customers bringing in more customers, they are more likely to be quality consumers and help your business. Mr. Eilers is an example of how the entrepreneurial mind never stops thinking, he has been doing this since high school and now teaches high school students. Luckily for me, I am supported by the CEO class. I will be fortunate enough to start my own business and hopefully maintain it, just like Neil.

Michael Lassman
Friday, October 28, 2016Learn More About Michael