Home Brite Ace Hardware

Mr. Lyle Rowden, Owner

Mr. Rowden started off the morning with a tour of his business. The Garden Center is just one of seven different areas of his business.

Mr. Rowden talked about his strategy on where to place his products. Tools are placed at the front of the store by the cash register because it has been shown to have a higher theft rate.

Every wall is full. Mr. Rowden says he takes prides on that his store is clean, products positioned to the front and priced, and there is no clutter.

Every product has a location code. The back area is a destination section such as electrical and plumbing.

Mr. Rowden said that one niche they have above their deep pocket competitors is the window and screen repair. He does about $80,000 in screen repair each year.

Mr. Rowden took the students to his office where he discussed how his grandfather originally opened up this store back in 1941. Home Brite added the ACE name so customers understood what kind of store it truely was.

Presentations by the CEO Students

Belleville CEO Students

Michael said the three things that he learned this year is that business is much harder than he thought, being on time is being late, and connections are extremely important.

Over the last two days, each Belleville CEO gave a final presentation on:

1.  What are three things that they learned in CEO? 
2.  What are three things that they accomplished in CEO? 
3.  What are three things that they didn't accompished in CEO?
4.  What are their future plans?
5.  What three relationships would they like to continue to nurture after CEO?
6.  What three self-improvements did they make this year?
7.  What do they want to remember this year from CEO?
8.  Give an update on your business.  How much did they make in sales and profit?
9.  What advice would they like to give to next year's students?

Kelly said, "To next year's students, it will be a lot of work, but at the end you will look back and smile thinking on how you somehow managed to do this amazing thing in high school."

Alayna's advice to next year's students are: stay determined, perservere, and don't give up, this class is valuable!

Jaylen's advice to next year's students, "Honestly, just keep going. There are going to be lots of times where you are tired of CEO and senioritis kicks in and people start to annoy you, but just keep going because you will get a great reward in the end!"

Cole said, "What I would like to remember from CEO is that failure is a learning experience and should be constructive towards success."

Carson noted, "The three biggest things that I learned are never doubt yourself, the importance of keeping your financials in line, and do something to make yourself mean something in this world."

Investor, board member, and mentor, Mr. Ed Hoering joined the class on Thursday to listen to the students' final presentations.

More Final Presentations

Belleville CEO Students

Investors, Mr. Kevin Pesko, Mrs. Geri Boyer, Mrs. Renae Eichholz, Mr. Kevin Baltz, Mr. Brett Baltz, and Mr. Kurt Artinger along with SIUE SBDC Interim Director, Mrs. Joann DiMaggio-May stopped by on Friday to listen to the final presentations.

Royce said that three things that he accomplished this year are: selling products, establishing a good amount of connections, and becoming a better talker.

Kaitlynn commented, "What I learned this year in CEO are: you don't necessarily need a degree in business to start your own business, believe in yourself, and teamwork can help you accomplish seemingly impossible tasks."

Some things that Epiphany wants to remember from CEO is that being sucessful requires time and hard work. Successful people make a lot of sacrifices.

Some self improvements that Austin said that he made this year are: waking up early, improving his public speaking, more versatile with business problems, helped reinvent himself when wrestling ended, and joining FBLA.

One of the things that Stephen wants to remember from CEO is always give back to your community.

Devin shared, "The three things that I have learned from CEO is the basics of starting a business, working together as a team, and understanding an important trait of determination."

Belleville CEO Final Presentations

Belleville CEO Students

Joe's advice to next year's students, "This class is truly an experience. This class has helped create a way for me to be successful in this world. I don't think that I would have ever started a business without this class."

Tim said that three things that he learned this year are: cash flow is the key to a successful business, find and follow your passion, and do not be afraid to take a risk.

Claire noted, "Personally I want to remember the peope who I took this class with. Although there were plenty of arguments and disagreements, there were also a lot of great memories."

Belleville CEO Scholarship Awarded

Kevin & Beth Nicol, Nicol Foundation

The Nicol Foundation who awards the $1000 scholarship supports these fundamentals: youth, education, spiritual faith, and traditional American values such as self-reliance, hardwork, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

Beth and Kevin Nicol came early Friday morning to announce the scholarship recipient.

Last CEO Day – Celebration

Belleville CEO Students

Renae and Claire had a great mentee/mentor relationship.

The last day was a time for the students to thank the investors and speakers for their financial support and time as well as celebrate the 15 Belleville CEO students as they get ready to graduate.  Thank you again to investors, speakers, board members, mentors, students, parents, and Midland Institute for making our 2nd year so successful!

Carson catching up with Kevin and Brett Baltz.

Mrs. Boyer and Kaitlynn reflecting on the year's events.

Devin and Mrs. Siebers