CEO Business Visits

• Issues and Eggs (Investor)
• More on Issues and Eggs (Investor)

This week, one of things we got to do was attend an Issue and Eggs breakfast. This was something completely different. We, as CEO was represented by our CEOs and CFO. They talked a little bit about what we do and our recent class business. There were two other high school programs represented at the event as well. The thing that made me most interested was teen court. After hearing that the program was for real cases and real students it good to see that we have programs willing to help students and turn their lives around. This program is probably extremely difficult to get into, I mean wouldn’t want just anyone deciding another child’s consequences. Growing up being, around people who might not have the best childhood, and they might not be the best student, this is such a way to lead children in the right direction and it could really change their lives around.

Teonna Davis
Friday, March 2, 2018Learn More About Teonna

This week in Belleville CEO was not as eventful as many of our past weeks have been, but we still made every bit of it worthwhile. We worked on our personal businesses portfolios, a lot of finance sheets, and even finalized our resumes. We did plenty of little things that are all very important to complete the final product in the end. In the middle of the week, we took a trip down to Bellecourt for their annual Issues and Eggs. We joined with the local teen groups, BASIC and Teen Court. We each talked about what we are and what we do, and those who attended seemed to enjoy each group’s presentations.

On our last day we watched a really good TED Talk about great leaders in the business world. I hope it struck a chord within the students as the information was very strong and can be very helpful for the future leaders in the world. On another note, we are expected to have a much busier week next week, so hopefully it can be even better.

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

The issues and eggs was a very fun event to attend. I got to talk and connect with different people there, that I have never met before. I also got the opportunity to represent the Belleville CEO alongside with Nick and Ian. We were answering questions that people had asked about CEO. One question that I remember that was said by someone was, what has CEO done for you. I really thought about this answer but in a quick time knowing the mic would be passed to me. I said CEO has gifted me with the skills to be good at organizing, time management, and forming relationships with people. I said that CEO helps with time management because you have to be at certain places at certain times and if your not there at that designated time that can affect your grade.  The Ted talk video was a great video. It talked about how great leaders should lead. Usually when you think of a leader you think of someone who is given everything on a silver spoon. You think a person who is controlling and bosses people around. But a leader is a person who tries to make everyone around them better. Instead of just thinking about their self a leader is a person who thinks about everyone and helps everyone. There are many traits that justify a leader, but some of the main traits that justify a leader is someone who is passionate and has courage. These are two main character traits that I think good leaders have. I want to be a great leader when I get older and I want to have those character traits and many more.

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

Being in CEO is a honor and I definitely realized that during the Eggs and Issues event. Our CEO class, along with BASIC and Teen Court, were invited to the event to showcase what our programs are about to the business owners and wealthier people of Belleville. I thought this was very cool that they wanted to see what we are doing, because it shows that we are of importance. We are the future of Belleville and they wanted to see how we were going to make Belleville better. This made me feel very important because they know I can lead to great things in the future if I just stay on the right path.

The TED talk we watched on Thursday is something that will help me stay on the right path. The video explains the lifestyle choices that are needed to become successful and I think their statements were very factual. I am slowly trying to change my habits to the traits of a successful person and this video really helped me get an idea of how I am supposed to do it. Eventually I will have the lifestyle that the video presented and I will use my knowledge to by best abilities.

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

This past week, I was really interested in the video we watched about Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk. He emphasized that people tend to work harder and with more of a sense of purpose when they feel they are in a safe environment. A leader is someone that shows that s/he is willing to make sacrifices for the well being of the people in the business. This will make people want to follow this authoritative figure, instead of just going through the motions to satisfy the requirements for their salary. If everyone could have the mentality of “I do it for them because they would do it for me,” then people would be more cooperative and would voluntarily take care of each other. Another point that stuck out to me from that talk was how, when placed in a crisis, the CEO of a certain company did not do the normal thing, which would be to lay off many workers. Rather, he was determined to find an alternative way to fit the needs of his employers. His plan was very affective and boosted moral.

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

I didn't know what to expect from Issues and Eggs. For some reason, I felt more hesitant than usual to go around and network that day. However, whenever I jumped in, it was one of the more enjoyable mingling experiences I've experienced through the class. The workers for District 118 were very nice, and seemed very interesting in asking us about the class and our future goals. I was taken aback when someone started a conversation with me about volleyball, which I enjoyed greatly. I also enjoyed hearing about the two other student groups. I knew about BASIC, but not much about their history or what they do. However, I had never heard of Teen Court previously. It was interesting to learn about, and a really cool concept.
I'm starting to feel a little pressure regarding the personal business. I know the deadlines are somewhat spread out, but there are just so many drafts and documents we have to do, which will be on top of homework we will already have assigned. I think it will be doable though.

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

Leadership was the main focus and virtue the Belleville CEO class focused on this last week. As this program progresses, it separates the class into leaders, and who are the students willing to be pig committed and rise to the challenges giving to them. We, as young entrepreneurs forming our very own businesses, need to become leaders in this world. We have been given a unique opportunity through this class to learn this value. On Thursday this last week, we watched a TED talk video online discusses the values and mindset behind leadership.

This core value drives a person to become successful, and the way a person leads will dictate the outcome of his/her company. On Wednesday, CEO was able to attend a breakfast called, Issues and Eggs, where leadership groups and organizations from around our community were able to discuss and present ourselves and what we do. We have been given all of these unique opportunities, and through these we need to become leaders. That is what all this is trying to teach us, and that is the most important thing CEO can and has taught us. Through these weeks after Belleville's Got Talent and leading up to forming our personal businesses, these are the moments where we learn the most on our own, and are able to become our own personal leaders.

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

This week we had all work days, but on two different occasions I was able to speak out on what CEO is and what it means to me. Monday, West had a meeting of some juniors who are interested in the class. And Wednesday we had Issues and Eggs, which I spoke in front of the crowd as well. I have always appreciated CEO and what it has done for me, but until I put it into words did I realize how passionate about the class I was. In both speeches/ discussions, I mentioned that CEO has taught me more in one year every morning than any class in high school; and I mean that wholeheartedly. Communication, work ethic, and organization, are just a few of the things that I have learned and picked up on in this class, but I’m still picking up new things every day.

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

...On Wednesday we met at the Eggs & Issues to talk about CEO and get acquainted with local businesses around Belleville. We all sat at different tables for the most part. I sat at a table with Gonzalez (Engineering and Construction Firm). They were very nice and included me in the conversation; not leaving me out. At first, I did not know that they were a construction company until later on in the event. As the conversation continued, we began to talk about internships and shadowing days so I can see an engineer in action. The only difference is that I want to go into aerospace or mechanical engineering, but all of the basics are the same for the most part. Mr. Gilroy and Miss Hayes were nice and handed me a business card for future use...

Antwan Stith
Friday, March 2, 2018Learn More About Antwan