Belleville Chick Fil-A

Mr. Matt Gilreath, General Manager

Mr. Matt Gilreath from the Belleville Chick Fil-A came in to talk to us on Monday. He shared with us the history of Chick Fil-A and commented on how the Belleville Chick Fil-A has received the three highest awards, Increased Sales, Increased Profit and Decreased Costs. He talked about how Chick Fil-A is about service over volume. Mr. Gilreath talked about how sales can fix most problems like labor and profit.  During his discussion about labor, he said there are two reasons that companies will hire employees.  There is a need that needs to be filled or the person is such an all star that the company will find a position for them. He also discussed the concept of lost leader.  Thank you, Mr. Gilreath, for spending the morning with us and sharing your knowledge about the  Chick Fil-A franchise business.  

Written By Alayna Wells

There are more than 2000 stores nationally and the franchise fee is $10,000.

Mr. Gilreath told the students that Chick Fil-A is a still privately held company founded by S. Truett Cathy and is headquartered in Atlanta.

Trade Show Set Up

Devin adding some balloons to his booth.

On Wednesday, the class spent the day preparing for their trade show and running last minute errands. Everyone worked on setting up their booths and laying out their products. Some of us even practiced running through with mock customers. Whether it was stressful or fun for us, everyone really learned something from this experience.

Written By Alayna Wells

Alayna adding her prices to her art.

Cole and his dad getting his booth set up for the trade show.

Joe setting out his candy to showcase his Joe's Candy Courier Service.

Kaitlynn and her mother helped set up her booth, Turn the Page Art.

Stephen putting up the net for his busiiness, Stephen's Soccer Lessons.

Kelly putting the final touches on her booth.

Mentors Giving their Support Before the Trade Show

Claire and her mentor, Renae Eichholz

Kaitlynn and her mentor, Alexa Callahan

Joe talking to Geri Boyer and his mentor, Kevin Pesko

Michael and his mentor, Mike Dunnigan

Students and Their Businesses

“Thank you to everyone who came and made this trade show possible. It was truly an incredible opportunity and experience.” ~Kaitlynn Borik

"The Trade Show was absolutely amazing. I had no idea that my booth would attract as many people as it did. I got an opportunity to see what people thought about my art." ~Alayna Wells

"The Trade Show as a whole was a success. I met a lot of new and upcoming customers with car details on their mind." ~Devin Alexander

"The trade show was an excellent experience for me to learn about how to conduct business and how to properly get business and customers." ~Jaylen Davis

"First, we want to thank everyone who came to the trade show, for it was quite the event to remember. We felt as though the location of the event was great." ~Epiphany Smith & Royce Payne

"We have been working up to this point for months. We have put so much work into our personal businesses. To finally see us succeed was great." ~Claire Randle

"I thought the trade show went over very well and truly showcased what Belleville CEO is all about. It was a great chance to get my company's name out and hear directly from my customers." ~Tim Donaho

More Students and Their Businesses

"I'd really like to thank my Uncle/Mentor, Ed Hoering as well as my father. The trade show went perfectly and it was really cool getting commended on my business. I don't think that the trade show could have gone any better than it did." ~Cole Maul

“The trade-show was a great experience to learn how to properly engage with prospective customers and market for my business. I really think I learned a lot about how I can make my business better by talking to others." ~Michael Lassman

"The whole night was crazy. My elevator pitch now has been perfected by talking to all these people that visited. I also learned how to change my pitch ever slightly depending on who I talked to." ~Joe Beussink

"This week we had our personal business trade show. It was the climax of the year as CEO students. I am glad that our months of hard work was recognized by the community." ~Stephen Waltrip

"There were SO many people that came and were extremely excited for the true release of The Watch List and some even offered me advice to better the app. Not only that but I even got a job offer!" ~Carson Gamboe

"We worked all year for this trade show. I’m so thankful for all the help from my mentor, Michael Crotty. I’m glad I got to experience this program." ~Kelly Rowden

"The entire year has built up to our annual personal business trade show, it was booming! It was exhausting. I'm very content with the result and I am anticipating some new business!" ~Austin Thurman

Students Making the Pitch about Their Product

Carson talking to Mr. Harris, Principal of Althoff Catholic High School.

“I was really impressed with the fact that all the businesses seemed liked things that will continue beyond the school year! The entrepreneurs really went for it.”     ~Wendy Witte, St. Louis Community Foundation

“Great show.  The kids really put their passion behind it this year which was very clear as I spoke to each of them.  I witnessed a lot of growth in these kids from the beginning of the year opening ceremony to the trade show in confidence and manners really exciting to see.”  ~Brett Baltz, Egyptian Stationers 

“I was so impressed by the caliber of the businesses. These young entrepreneurs already understand the dedication and hard work it takes to create and grow a business.”  ~Geri Boyer, Kaskaskia Engineering 

“I thought every single student was well prepared and set up their booths perfectly to suit their business and personalities. I was so impressed by each and every student but what I was most impressed with was how much talent and innovation there was in this class. Each student had a viable business and I think they all have the ability to sustain and maintain their businesses.  I wish them much deserved success and cannot wait until I see them again to see what they’ve accomplished.”  ~Renae Eichholz, Precision Practice Management 

“The Trade Show was such a fantastic ending to a wonderful program.  The students work all year to prepare for that day and everything came together in a really impressive way!  These students are extremely creative and already ahead of most individuals in their age group.  I have no doubt they will be successful entrepreneurs!”  ~Alexa Callahan, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale PC

“The trade show went well. It was nice to see that the students, and some staff who were interested in our event, and booths.”   ~Epiphany Smith, Co-CEO of MadReps 

“It was just so eye-opening and it showed me that even as high school kids, we really can do anything we put our mind to. I also want to thank my partner, classmates, and great facilitator for all the hard work and time they've put into this program and I'm proud of how far we all have came”   ~Royce Payne, Co-CEO of MadReps

“Connections are extremely important in business so I appreciate the opportunity to get better at connecting with other people.”   ~Michael Lassman, CEO of Shrat Shirts

“It was definitely a fun experience that taught me a lot about the business world. I was even fortunate enough to sell some of my first products!”   ~Tim Donaho, CEO of Donaho Vinyls

“Of course the profit made me happy, but seeing my classmate’s ideas all come to fruition from the brainstorming at the beginning of the year was almost surreal.”   ~Alayna Wells, CEO of The Art of Roots

“While showcasing our businesses, our investors were in the crowd and it was nice seeing their friendly faces again. Until experiencing this, I have a whole new respect for folks that showcase their businesses at fairs and events.”    ~Austin Thurman, CEO of Classy Trailer Resurrections 

 “Honestly, I was dreading this day. All I could see was that only a few of our investors would show up but I was truly surprised.”  ~Carson Gamboe. CEO of The Watch List

Austin talking to several students about his business.

Mentor Renae Eichholz looking at Cole's woodworking pieces.

Stephen talking about his soccer lesson businesss with Geri Boyer.

Tim talking to one of his potential customers about his vinyl business.

Alayna talking to a Lindenwood student about her art.

Alayna worked on one of your art pieces during the Trade Show.

Alayna Wells Wins at NAACP Competition

CEO student Alayna Wells wins two gold medals at the NAACP ACT-SO Competition.  She will be advancing to Nationals in two categories- vocal contemporary and drawing. The drawing she won with is her most award winning art piece “decendent”.  Alayna Wells’ business is selling prints of her artwork online.  You can find this piece available on her facebook page “The Art of Roots” and see her other works available for sale.