CEO Business Visits

• Mr. Kevin Richter, Mr. Patrick Mathis, & Mr. Colin Clark (Investor)

CEO Guest Speakers

• Ms. Erica Barnell, President

This week we went to Mathis, Marifian, & Richter, LTD, had an all-day work day, and Erica Barnell from Geneoscopy came and spoke to us. The first of the work days -Monday- we figured out everywhere we wanted to go, and check up on for Wednesday (our all day work day). There were a few other minor things that went on but nothing too special.

On Tuesday, we went to Mathis, Marifian, & Richter, LTD and learned a lot about their company. Again we heard that it is hard to start a business with your friends and family because it puts a lot of stress on the relationship. But it is also nice that the risk is spread out. Also that people need to develop long term, midterm, and short term goals and model all of the business’s progress after those goals. For many, if they don’t have these plans their chances of success are slim to none. But sometimes people’s plans are to expand and grow too fast so they end up running out of money then their business collapses. The expansion has to be a well-timed one, but many times to expand a person need investors. Another problem is that the more people invest, the more control they want over what they spend their money on. Yet the biggest point they made is that relationships and connections are key to everything.

Our “field trip” was very successful as well. By the end of the day we had doubled the number of booths that had committed and still have some pending. We have also gained a good number of silent auction items. Mike Crotty also stopped by and really helped out with some of the decorations that I think will turn out really well. It was quite a successful day.

And finally, Mrs. Erica Barnell came and spoke to us. She was extremely intellectual and knew a lot about what she was doing. She also advised not to put out anything that has already been made. But you also need to have people to advise you, some mentors that will guide you on how to improve your product and sell/advertise it. She too stressed the importance of knowing people.

Carson Gamboe
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Carson

In the 21’st week of CEO, we had three work days, one class visit and one guest speaker. We took a visit to Mathis, Marifian, and Richter, while our guest speaker was Ms. Erica Barnell from Geneoscopy. One of our work days was also a full day to go around Belleville and personally invite people to come and sponsor our event.

Our visit to MMR was very good. I had no idea that big Bank of America building has other businesses in it. We were spoken to by Patrick Mathis, Kevin Richter, and Colin Clark. They told us a big part of being a businessman is being able to identify a problem so you can fix it. If you don’t even know you have a problem it will never be solved. They also reminded us that there will always be sacrifice when starting a new business. To start my clothing business I’m going to have to sacrifice some of my fun time to make shirts and sacrifice some money to have the necessary materials. The last thing I took away from the visit to Mathis, Marifian, and Richter was that I need a systematic approach to my business or else it will fail. This is true and it’s why we need to write our own business plans. If I wanted to make clothes and sell them to college kids I wouldn’t be able to be successful if I didn’t have a good system.

The guest speaker Erica Barnell was a very smart lady who will be a doctor in a couple of years. She is the CEO of Geneoscopy which is a company that simplifies the process of getting a colonoscopy in order to have more people get tested more often. She has the true entrepreneurial spirit I hope to have one day. She talked about her journey and how she became the CEO of her business and shared with us that we are going to experience a lot of setbacks, but we just have to keep fighting and moving forward to eventually reach our goal. I relate to this especially in baseball, sometimes during practice I don’t always feel like I’m getting better but I just have to know deep down as long as I’m working hard everything else will fall into place.

The all-day work day on Wednesday was very beneficial to the class. Devin and I got a really good silent auction item and two booths. Hopefully some of the businesses that said they would get back to us actually do so we can cross them off our list. I believe this event is going to be a great night and a huge success.

Michael Lassman
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Michael

Starting this week in the CEO class was a work day discussing where we would be going on Wednesday. Kelly brought in the decorations for the class business and this reminded me about how every little thing has to be covered for the class business. It takes a lot of time to discuss every little detail and that takes a lot of time. A good amount of this discussion and decision making has been streamlined by our CEO’s. They helped expedite the process by meeting with all the students individually and clarifying what their job was for the class business and what they could accomplish by the time the class business is upon us. While the CEO’s met with people discussing jobs coming up to the final days before the event, the rest of us were discussing how to get tickets sold. Some of us have talked to teachers and some have put posters up all around town but not many tickets have been sold so far. This has been stressing me out that the event will look like a failure if we are not able to get enough people to come and it ends up being a bust. One of the hardest things about being in the CEO program of a new location is that nobody knows about it. Belleville is huge but word barely got around last year and slowly more people are finding out. It will be a struggle to get tickets sold but I hope we are able to get a few hundred people to go to the event.

On Wednesday our class spent an entire day going around and talking to businesses about sponsoring or doing booths. The entire day I went to many food places talking to them about why they should spend the money and what are event and class is. Many of them asked for my phone number and said they would think about it and call me back. The day was definitely hectic but worth it as we did a lot of work and got donations, sponsorships, and booths from places I would never expect to get it from.

Joe Beussink
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Joe

Another productive week of CEO class has passed, and we are becoming closer and closer to our event, Around the Fountain: A Belleville CEO Experience.  The event is in less than two weeks, and we it is finally coming together.  We have enough sponsorships so that booths, silent auction, and ticket sales are all gravy. That was the goal at the beginning.  However, we are struggling in one area.  We NEED ticket sales.  We only have seventeen tickets and a table sold.  We need to reach out to anyone and everyone about this event.  Families and teachers hopefully will buy tables.  We also should reach out to families from our school as well local colleges. 

Wednesday we had an all day class.  We reached out to many different food businesses for booths and small businesses for silent auction items.  Overall, the day was a huge success. We got around five booths and many silent auction gift cards and items.   We are making strides on decorations, and getting the mini fountains rolling.  I think the design of them and using CEO's colors is very good.  Tim and I are working on the script and slideshow, and making progress.  We need to get the program and CEO booth sorted out.  With that being said, we are doing a lot better than we have been in the past weeks.   I am excited to see the results and revenue of the night.  I am confident in the ability of our two keynote speakers, Ben Glenn and Geri Boyer.  I think they will be very entertaining and teach a good lesson.

Another major problem is the lack of determination and motivation.  The class business is being run mostly by a select few people.  I wish the workload was more evenly distributed.  We have given many opportunities for people to participate, but they do not take them. If people say they are going to do something, they need to do it.  If not, people count on them to contribute, but then others with heavier workloads have to pick up more things. Overall, I think we will be successful if people work hard these next eight days.

Stephen Waltrip
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Stephen

On Monday, our class worked on planning for our all day work day on Wednesday.  I have reflected on how far we have come as a class, and it is astounding.  We work much more effectively as a team.  We can accomplish many more tasks at once all while setting goals for ourselves every day.

On Tuesday, our class went to Bank of America.  We met Pat Mathis, Kevin Richter, and Collin Clark.  I learned a lot of useful information and tips about starting a business.  I learned the biggest issue in owning a business is spotting a problem before it becomes too big.  I also discovered that some businesses have new employees sign a non-competition agreement, meaning that once the employee leaves the business, they can not start a new competing  business in an area that the original business markets to for a certain amount of time.  I also learned that it is important to have everything regarding rules or regulations is needed in writing.

On Wednesday, our class had an all class day.  A lot of people went out in pairs to talk to businesses that we had not contacted yet, but I stayed at Precision Practice and helped build mini fountains for our table decorations.  It was a lot of fun because everyone that stayed had a positive attitude and was motivated to work.  I also went to the Scottish Rites to finalize details for the floor plan and discussed decoration ideas.  I learned that collaboration makes ideas better and more creative. 

On Thursday, our class had another work day.  Now, we are starting to pose questions we have never asked before about tasks we need to accomplish before the event.  For example, we are considering writing contracts for the booths to sign.

On Friday, our class met Erica Barnell at Precision Practice Management.  She started a business called Geneoscopy which works to help identify early stages of colon cancer.  Ms. Barnell hopes to expand the uses of her new technology to be able to diagnose other intestinal problems like other forms of cancer, Crohn’s disease, colitis, and other things.  She also hopes that her company will be able to customize advice for medicine for patients to use if they do have cancer or another problem. 

Kaitlynn Borik
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Kaitlynn

This week and next week are the final stretch to our class business. This week was a lot of trying to finalize our sponsorships and booths.

Although, on Tuesday, we did visit Mathis, Marifian, & Richter. They focused a lot on how much their business has grown. In 1984, they started our as mostly taxes. Today they have 22 lawyers and pretty much do everything except they do not do divorces and union trials. Although, they still focus a lot on corporate things. They also talked when joining someone in business you should make an agreement if someone leaves on who gets what and what happens. This agreement would protect yourself and your business. On Wednesday, we went and visited businesses to gain sponsorships, booths, and silent auction donations. In our group we went to all businesses downtown, businesses in Greenmount Commons, and Archford. We gained a gold sponsorship from Archford, and some silent auction donations from some downtown businesses.

This week I also figured out my personal business. It will be a babysitting business called Bear’s Babysitting, because my nickname is ClaireBear. My logo should be a B with a teddy bear in the middle and then another B. Which will be BB and stands for baby. I am very excited to get this class business over with and start doing my personal business. Although, I am in charge of the silent auction and have a lot of great ideas and I am hoping they workout. Pinterest has been a great help with that. Our class business is 9 days away and we are nowhere close to being where we want to be. So please if you are reading this go to www.eventbrite.com and purchase a table for 8 people for the price of 7 thank you!

Claire Randle
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Claire

Work, work, work. That pretty much sums up our week pretty well. We devoted all our time and attention to trying to start finalizing all preparations for our class business in less than 10 days. We are pushing ourselves harder than ever to try to accommodate for us not excelling at getting the ball rolling earlier. This includes making an extensive list of phone calls daily and going out to talk to individual businesses to try to get our business to be the success we know it will. Our class goal for each individual person is to at least bring 10 or so people which will get us to a great overall amount in attendance. As long as we continue to work diligently for this next week we should meet our goal and bring ourselves joy and gladness of that success we know that we are capable of.

On Tuesday of last week, we met at Mathis, Marifian, Richter. They first began as a boutique firm which means they primarily only did taxes. Once they saw the limits of only doing a certain aspect of this huge industry they began expanding their horizons to other revenues of income. They came to start doing bankruptcies, litigations and more. They did not however take on representing unions or divorces due to the emotions involved with those. A major point that hit home while speaking with them was that a new business can start with just a phone call. After that you set up a meeting. Then the formation of type of company you want to have. Then you need capital from either investors, crowd funding, or finding some other asset to start your business. It's quite easy with guidance and experienced people helping your cause, which is quite evident in the fact that their company is doing so well.

On Friday we had Ms. Erica Barnell from her business, Geneoscopy LLC. In high school she went to John Burroughs High School. Early on in life she was a student athlete and learned early on what it took to succeed and strive for more. After graduating high school she went on to attend Cornell University. After getting her Bachelors she then went on to Tel Aviv. She went for more schooling and eventually found her new partners along the way. She owns her business with her brother and her classmate from college and they all work hard to constantly keep researching and evolving the way colonoscopies are performed to allow easier compliance and higher efficiency rates. This goes on to show that with hard work, dedication, and a good mentality you can be whatever you want in life, whether it's helping people, developing new software, or finding a way to cure cancer. They’re all great fields and deserve more people like this.

Royce Payne
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Royce

Starting the week off on Monday with a work day at Precision Practice Management where our class discussed our in-day class field trip that we had planned for Wednesday, the decorations, sponsorships, booths, and donations put towards the class fundraiser.

On Tuesday our class met at the Bank of America located in downtown Belleville to meet and speak with the lawyers at Mathis, Marifian, & Richter, LTD. Towards the end of the class period our class broke up into smaller groups to discuss and ask more questions. I really like how they did this because it gave me the opportunity to ask more about my individual business.

On Wednesday our class had a scheduled all day work where we met at Precision Practice Management at our regularly scheduled time and really put in the physical work of the class fundraiser like constructing the decorations as in the mini fountains. We also had students go out into the Belleville region to solicit sponsorships, booths, or donations.

To end the week we all met back at PPM to speak with Ms. Erica Barnell who is the CEO and founder of Geneoscopy. Ms. Barnell showed me how competition with a company can be a good and bad thing. She described her competition with her company and explained how she’s not skeptical because she feels her business is more evolved and more complex.

Devin Alexander
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Devin

This week was fully compacted of workdays and one business visit and also a guest speaker. On Wednesday we had a full workday where Austin and I partnered- up to visit businesses and on Tuesday we met with, Mathis Marifian & Richter. Following Ms. Erica Barnell from Geneoscopy to come in to talk to us.

Our week started on Tuesday when we met in Downtown Belleville to meet with Mathis, Marifian, & Richter.  The business started in 1984 as a boutique firm. Expanding in corporate situations because of the giant business it is then they picked up a case with bankruptcy.  They have 22 lawyers now.  They don’t do divorces and they also don’t represent unions.   To be a successful business person you have to spot the problem and solve the problem. One thing that I learned is that not all investors are bad some investors that invest money in your company just want stake in your company only.   They invested money in your company so why would they not be involved about where their money is going. One thing that Pat Mathis told us was “At times, you will have to step out of your comfort zone to realize significant gains. Know the boundaries of your comfort zone and practice stepping out of it in small doses. As much as you need to know the market, you need to know yourself too. Can you handle staying in when everyone else is jumping ship? Or getting out during the biggest rally of the century? There's no room for pride in this kind of self-analysis. The best investment strategy can turn into the worst if you don't have the stomach to see it through.   We all want wealth, but how do we achieve it? It starts with a successful career which relies on your skills and talents. Invest in yourself through school, books, or a quality job where you can acquire a quality skill set. Identify your talents and find a way to turn them into an income-generating vehicle. In doing so, you can truly leverage your career into an "engine of your wealth."”.

On Wednesday we had an all day work day where Austin and I went around businesses in Fairview Heights to talk to businesses about donating and potentially having a sponsorship. Usually I do not like asking for money but my mentor, Mr Adam Hill told me a quote,  “Sponsorship provides a great means of broadening your competitive edge by improving your company's image, prestige and credibility by supporting events that your target market finds attractive.” In recent years, corporate sponsorship has become the fastest growing type of marketing in the United States.

On Friday Ms. Erica Barnell came in to talk to us about Colonoscopies and colon cancer and what she does to help that. After researching colon cancer and colonoscopies, I have found out that a colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). He or she uses a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscopy to look at the colon. A colonoscopy helps find ulcers, colon polyps, tumors, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected (biopsy) and abnormal growths can be taken out. Colonoscopy can also be used as a screening test to check for cancer or precancerous growths in the colon or rectum (polyps). What Ms. Barnell does is she does not want her patients to go through that uncomfortable situation so she basically, takes a sample of feces and see if it has a cancerous DNA in it that she can accurately diagnose instead of going through a very uncomfortable operation.

The CEO Around The Fountain event is right around the corner and things are really starting to pick up. Everyone is starting to do their jobs and it is becoming to look like a great event.

Jaylen Davis
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Jaylen

This was a crucial week in our CEO program. We met with Mathis, Marifian, & Richter LTD and Erica Barnell from Geneoscopy. We also had our all day work day on Wednesday to secure final sponsorships and donations.

We first met with Kevin Richter, Patrick Mathis, and Colin Clark from MM&R. It was interesting to hear how they expanded their law firm. I really found it useful when they talked about all of the planning that happens before a business partnership. I did not realize noncompete agreements and ways to get out of a business were discussed so much before the business is even started. This helped me realize there is a lot more planning and paper work in making a business than I first thought. I am even figuring this out with our class business, as the thought of a food booth contract did not occur to me before a few days ago.

After MM&R gave their presentation, we then broke up into three groups to discuss our personal businesses in more detail. This was a great opportunity for me to ask any questions I had about my business ideas. My group also did an exercise where we tried to figure out everything in a lease contract. This proved to be very challenging as there are so many things in a lease contract. This just furthered my understanding of how much careful preparation is put into starting a business.

We met with Erica Barnell on Friday from Geneoscopy. She told us about her new technology in detecting colorectal cancer without the use of a colonoscopy. The technology was very interesting to hear about. This presentation made me realize two things. First, business really is everywhere, even the medical field. Erica got a dual degree in biology and business which is crazy. She knew however how important business is in any field. Second, new business ideas can come from anywhere, and sometimes you just have to go for it. Erica got her idea from a group at her college that gave research problems for students to solve. She was given the colonoscopy problem, and after meeting someone with colorectal cancer she really knew she wanted to change the world.

Tim Donaho
Friday, January 27, 2017Learn More About Tim