CEO Business Visits

• Matt Warren, Providence Bank (Investor)
• Best of Granite City Event
• Todd Badgley, President (Investor)

CEO Guest Speakers

• Mrs. JoAnn DiMaggio-May and Dr. Deborah Bowman

These last couple of weeks have been stressful but a learning experience as well for everyone in the Belleville CEO class. As we have been preparing for our Belleville’s Got Talent, we have ran into many issues and complications along the way. However, we all really have put in the work these last two weeks to prepare and get ready for this event. We still have a lot to do and accomplish by this coming Saturday, but I really think it will work out well. I am excited to witness the Belleville CEOs success, as a class, and all we have accomplished to complete this task.

This past week, I thought, has been one of the most intriguing weeks so far in the Belleville CEO program. For me, I was busy most of the week collecting data and keeping track of the financials to make sure everything is on task for the event. It has been a lot of hard work for both Cam and I, but we managed and look forward to the end goal after this event. The class really worked hard in achieving our final goals with selling tickets and gaining sponsorships.

It was also intriguing to meet with JoAnne DiMaggio to talk about the business plan for our personal businesses. It is very exciting to be able to finally be able to create something of our own and get the ball rolling on everything. I look forward to seeing her in class this upcoming week as well.

Our meeting with FKG Oil went extremely well. I really liked how they confronted the meeting with us, and focused on creating the meeting to really grasp our attention in multiple ways. Their business is unlike many others, and is an extremely difficult and competitive field in which they perform their business. Seeing how well it is ran and how they are able to create such a well ran environment for a business was very interesting to learn and witness. It was definitely a business that caught my attention and stood out among the rest. I look forward to this upcoming week with CEO!

James Monken
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About James

When Kelly Quinn came and spoke to us about how important a diverse workplace was, one of the key points I picked up from her was that people do business with people. I realized that that is a very true statement because everybody wants to personally know the effects they have on their business. She also mentioned that a good way to sell your business is to tell the potential investor to “invest in me.” I found that to be a good driving point for when I was selling tickets. I had approached many of my teachers about buying tickets from me, and about a week later, I followed up with them. They told me they had received other offers from different students about buying tickets as well, mainly via email. One teacher asked me why he should buy a ticket from me instead of the others. I told him that I was not sure if I had really been the first to ask, but I wanted his business, so even though I do not have him for any of my classes I made the effort to keep stopping in to remind him about buying tickets. I wanted his business so I wanted to prove that if he invested in me, then he would know I was a hard worker who would get the job done. Our conversation ended with him telling me he would bring me money for next time, which showed me how far personal interactions go with people.

This week when we visited FKG Oil Company I really enjoyed their visit because they knew how to interact with us to keep us interested. From the slideshow presentation to the jeopardy game to the breakfast, they were able to draw in our interest so we could really focus on the points they were trying to convey to us. Just like they used hospitable tactics to entertain us, they have to use similar tactics on their customers. To move forward in their business, they have to further appeal to the needs of their customers so they are always looking to expand. Customer service and advertising seemed to be their top focus for achieving this. Their goal is to want their customers to enjoy their visit so they are more likely to return. By providing quality products with good deals, customers are more likely to trust in the company and will continue to give them their business.

Elizabeth Harla
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Elizabeth

These past two weeks has been mildly fervid due to the fact that the deadline for ticket sales was approaching. It was more of a hassle on me because I was selling tickets and also keeping up with the money from everyone else’s sold tickets. It was overall a great learning experience because it helped improve my management skills and I know more things relating to banking.

I was very surprised that we had 282 ticket sales. Personally I thought we were going to reach half of our current number. Knowing about our tickets sales, I think it really boosted everyone’s expectations for the show, since most people probably did not think we would reach our goals in ticket sales as well. So everyone now should be putting more into the event since we are where we want to be financially with our class.

Vince Ojeda’s talk really related to these last two weeks greatly. His iceberg analogy was what was proven to be true with our class business. People will only see our event, which represents the top of the iceberg. However they do not see the bottom of it. All of the ticket sales, asking for sponsorships, management of the money, or class days were all the things that went into keeping the iceberg afloat. Without our work Belleville’ Got Talent would not have the potential it does currently.

I am very excited for our personal business after out event is completed. I think my idea has a lot of potential. Working with JoAnn DiMaggio-May has been a great help. Her experience in creating a business plan will be very beneficial to my success. Also with the help of my mentor and other speakers we have had, I have many ways of getting help and advice to ensure that I am working to the best of my abilities.

Cam Wicks
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Cam

This week, we focused on completing our business plan, selling tickets and other obstacles that come along with every successful business. We met with Vine Ojeda, who explained to us everything that complicates the life of a CEO. He explained to us the iceberg; how above the surface, you see the small and bright cap, symbolizing the success. But, below the surface, hidden under the success, comes hard work, sleepless nights, stress, anxiety, and much more. I always knew this, as many of my friends who have started their own businesses emphasize the struggles of it when giving me advice for my personal company. Yet, hearing someone as successful as Vince say it was very beneficial.

We also met with Kelly Quinn, who taught us multiple ways of how to sell tickets and earn investors to help small businesses like ours. Being from the best buddies organization, she knew these areas like the back of her hand. She really spoke to us as individuals, and gave us advice that will be more than helpful in each of our own business adventures.

We also wrapped up our business plan, which helped us all get good first hand experience on how to create one, for we will have to do a typed out plan for our personal businesses. Despite the chaoticness coming from our upcoming event, this week was very informational. This next week will be our last week to sell tickets for the CEO event, which I hope will not frighten and stress our fellow classmates, but encourage them to sell tickets like no other for a successful night. The obstacles are really piling up, but I believe if we are all pig-committed this week, everything will turn out good.

Feb 2nd - This week, we really hustled. Despite having barely any ticket sales the week before , we really tried hard and sold upwards of 220 tickets. Most of my stress about the turnout is reduced, as I was concerned that we weren’t going to break 150. We also picked up another sponsorship, Matt Warren, which helped tremendously. Things are starting to fall in place.

Ian Hass
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Ian

“As a CEO you have to make sure that everyone is with you.” Mr. Vince Ojeda said these words to me and my CEO class. This statement is very true, because whenever you’re the owner of your company you have to make sure that everyone on your team is on board with you. Mr. Ojeda also said when you are starting a company you just have to figure it out. He basically saying that sometimes everything will not be given to you easily, you have to go out and learn for yourself of how to have a successful business. Vince said the more challenges you get, the better you are, the tougher you get. Something that Vince said that really stuck with me was that people do not look at your long hours or your efforts. They only see you once you become successful. They did not see those late nights or stressful days that you had to go through to become successful. This is just a prime example of how you do not need anybody else to congratulate you on you becoming successful. You congratulate yourself, because you are the only one who knew what it took and how hard it was to become successful.  Another inspiring phrase that Vince said was, “always think much higher than what you think you can do.” If you never challenge yourself then how are you going to know what a challenge feels like. Always set stretch goals, these are the goals that you obtain over years of hard work.

We talked with Kelly Quinn last week and she talked about diversity. She said diversifying your workplace is very important when becoming a business owner. This is very important because people love workplaces that have diversity. Diversity is a beautiful thing it is what our country is made up on. “If you think that you are going to go through life and think you’re just going to gain knowledge, you’re going to have a long road.”

Mr. Todd Badgley said this very intelligent phrase. You cannot expect knowledge just to be given to you. You have to go get the knowledge on your own to be successful. Another thing Todd Badgley said was, “we fail every day that is just a part of business.” You have to learn not to accept failure in business. Mr. Badgley told us a time where in his business he failed but he did not let that stop him from moving forward and being successful. Now Mr. Badgley and Moto has a lot of new products and things happening in the future that are going to be very exciting. I know that Mr. Badgley business will keep being successful in the future.

Martrell Robinson
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Martrell

So last week we did not have to do a journal because our main goal was to sell tickets before time ran out. So far, I have sold 21 tickets, however, I sold tickets to the family members of the contestants. I am worried because at least three or four of the contestants never responded on their family buying tickets, so I hope it goes well.

Last week, we had a few speakers. One of them was Vince Ojeda. He is the CEO of Envision Health Labs. He actually had a lot of wisdom to impart on us, such as the iceberg of success. An iceberg shows around 11% of itself. (The finished product) but everything you don’t see, is underwater. (The time you've spent, the money, the teamwork, the late nights etc.) it really does take a team to accomplish something, and without every person, the project would crumble.

JoAnn DiMaggio-May came to our class also this week and last, to talk about our personal businesses, and where we wanted to eventually take them. She sat down with each one of the students and went over their business concepts, and what their target markets are, and how to start a business plan. She helped us immensely with our class business plan, and so we have a better idea of how to start our own individual plans. Now, this week, we went to FKG Oil and met with Todd Badgley. This was the most exciting and immersive place we’ve been. We played a game of Jeopardy that reflected everything that he told us, and I think that was helpful because I still remember it without having to see what I wrote. We also had breakfast, and got to see all of the vintage gas signs. I am more of a tactile person, so I like being able to do things instead of just sitting and listening to someone talk for an hour and a half.

Daniel Stovey
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Daniel

This week in Belleville CEO was a very hectic but productive week. We were grateful to have JoAnn DiMaggio-May, Ms. Bowman, and Todd Badgley visit us and assist us in our activities and issues this week. As a class, we were able to sell over 250 tickets (actually about280 and still counting) and are still counting on selling just a little more this final week. Also, don’t forget, this is the final week leading up to the class business, Belleville’s Got Talent. It is a very exciting time here in Belleville CEO as all of our hard work has been leading up to this.

This week was also a very good week for me personally with my own business. I was able to meet with my mentor this week and we have already started on the business plan. A lot of the ins and outs of the business are still being worked out, so I don’t want to spill too much information at the moment, but my mentor and I are meeting again this coming week and will be hammering out this idea.

I mentioned earlier that JoAnn DiMaggio-May and Ms. Bowman had visited our class, and they were very helpful with giving us information on our business plans. I believe that by having them come visit us, it really kicked some students into action to actually get serious about their businesses, and start cracking down on ideas. For others, they were prepared and some didn’t even appear to need help as they were already ready. We are very grateful to have them visit our class.

To conclude, this week in Belleville CEO we were able to sell many many tickets, and were very productive in our own personal businesses. This is now our final week leading up to Belleville’s Got Talent, and we are all very excited to have our hard work pay off during this event, I know all of the students are looking forward to it.

John Lewis
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About John

I think the thing that surprised most of us in the class is the amount of tickets we actually sold. A couple days prior to Friday, we only had around 70 or so sales. However, by the time we counted the tickets up, we had well over 200 sold! All of our hard work of selling tickets actually managed to bear fruit, and I am proud of the class, as well as myself, for being able to be so productive. I am now confident that we will actually become profitable because of this, and our businesses will be able to run a bit more smoothly now.

I was able to meet with my mentor once again this past Friday and I told him of our successes with the class businesses. We were able to speak a bit more about my personal business and he voiced his concerns about what to talk about when it was his turn to present to us in class. I offered my help to review his ideas and he seemed grateful.  

We learned that the FKG Oil Company was founded 1955 when James Gorman Forsyth purchased 3 gas stations. The own various brands such as Gia’s, Orange Leaf, and more popular things such as Motomart. Their annual revenue exceeds more than $300 million and $60 million of that comes from lottery sales. They amazingly go through 80,000 cups of coffee and 100 million gallons of fuel. Also, they have around 10,000 costumers per week, which is a lot more than I expected. 

Though we learned a lot about their sales and how much resources they go through, we also learned valuable things about company culture and how to act or what to do within a business. Some of these things include creating a comfortable environment, leading by example, staying organized, being competitive, having good team work, and showing respect. In order to gain more customers, we should focus on becoming new and different, focus on building and developing loyalty in customers, and provide good customer service and maintain cleanliness within our businesses. On a side note, I would have to say that the breakfast at FKG Oil was the best one we have had out of all the places we have been to.

Kaleb Leatherman
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Kaleb

Vince Ojeda's talk was nice to listen to. I love hearing stories about local people who build and later sell extremely successful businesses. I also sometimes forget just how local these entrepreneurs are. A few days after Vince's talk, my phone battery malfunctioned, and I got it fixed very quickly over at Experimac, one of his businesses. I also liked how he went into the basics if acquiring investment money, and the different methods to do it. I already knew a decent amount about the subject, but still picked up a little but from what he told us.    

FKG Oil did a wonderful job presenting their business to us. They gave us the same information most companies do. However, they added a twist with an extra incentive of of gift cards to help us retain the presentation. In addition, they finished the morning with breakfast, which definitely kept us from being distracted by food while they presented. All the workers there were so nice, and I really appreciate their efforts to contribute to local events, such as our business.

I am absolutely astonished by our last-minute success with Belleville's Got Talent. Early in the last week of ticket sales, we were all seriously concerned our business and financials would be a disappointment due to our previously high expectations. However, our class all sold their tickets frantically, and now we are set to be the most successful Belleville CEO class to date with our class business. I had previously had dreading feelings toward setting up an even that would've had many open seats. But now, I anxiously wait to see our hard work for the event pay off.     I'm glad we got the class business plan finished as efficiently as we did. The way we had a talked about it, I was preparing for a long and tedious assignment that would've dragged on for while. However, we finished it up fairly quickly, and it wasn't terrible to work on. Mrs. DiMaggio-May was a wonderful help to us with the endeavor, and provided good-quality guidance as we completed it.
 

Jacob Gall
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Jacob

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been struggling to keep up with our class business. Ticket sales were much lower than we expected originally, not enough people knew about the event, and we were really losing our spirits. Last week we were joined by Kelly Quinn, head of Best Buddies, who really helped to improve our views of the event again. She expressed to us how important it is to maintain faith in the product or service you’re providing, otherwise no one else will believe in it either.

We also met with Vince Ojeda. He reiterated the importance of respectful and mature conversations for us as a class. He reassure us that it really isn’t skill that wins in the end, but the effort you’re willing to put into whatever you’re doing. This was reassuring to me, as I’ve never felt very skilled at anything, but with time and effort put in, I can still be successful at whatever I’m doing.

This past week we met with Todd Badgley, who runs FKG Oil company. He and his coworkers really made going to the company an enjoyable experience both with how they conducted their presentations, as well as providing much needed food at the end of our visit. They expressed the importance of being able to evolve in the ever-changing convenience store world. They’re beginning a huge remodeling process this year which will potentially make Moto Marts everywhere more successful in the future.

As for our class business, I was starting to worry our event wouldn’t be at all successful with our lack of ticket sales up until this past week. Despite a lot of people in our class losing hope, Nick and Ian continued pushing us to make our ticket sales and not stop trying to make the event a success. By Friday, the number of ticket sales we previously had were almost doubled and it really made it seem as though the event could still be a success.

Josie Proffitt
Friday, February 2, 2018Learn More About Josie