I started a business at 16 years old and I’m making money, I feel that it is something to be proud of. I am grateful I took this class and will take away everything I have learned to help myself succeed in life.

05/12/2018

Monday and Tuesday we set up for the trade show. I am very excited to do this and talk to people. All of us worked really hard on our booths so I am very happy. I though the trade show went really well was very excited to get new interests for my business.  It was very long to stand there and I felt like I said the same thing a hundred times but I got better at it each time I said it. I really enjoyed it and think it’s a really good opportunity for the students.

05/05/2018

Tuesday we went to a manufacturing business in Hamilton, Cores For You, Inc. I had no idea that this place existed let alone made so many products. They make things for electrical, mechanical, vehicles, and so much more. Every little thing that you wouldn’t think about every day is made in a factory by people. I really liked this visit because I had no idea that it existed.04/21/2018

Evan Printy came to talk to us about their family business in funeral homes and his degree in mortuary science. He was really funny and knew a lot about what he did. He is one of those people that LOVE their job!!

04/14/2018

Wednesday we went to Royal Printing it was very surprising to see how many machines they had to make all the different kinds of paper products. I wish Andrew could’ve been there so I could’ve personally thanked him for helping me so much with the CEOlympics! Dan is very funny and wise so he was interesting to listen to about how he’s bought out so many companies and bought over millions of dollars in machines.

Thursday we went to the Carthage Suites on the square and also learned about The Re-stock Room and Yuan Da Plastic Fabric Corporation. I did some research on David’s products when I helped the chamber. David is very smart and interesting to listen to. It was cool to find out about some businesses that I didn’t know about.

04/07/2018

The Athletic Center in Keokuk, IA that is owned by Rod Figge. I really enjoyed hearing about how he got it to where it is today. I had no idea he was first an engineer then moved to Florida and then bought this shop from another guy. It was very neat to hear his story. 

03/24/2018

Thursday Matt Dickinson came to speak with us about his company DISTek, Integration, Inc. Matt is super nice and it was cool to hear his story and how he started his business. It is amazing how it has grown from a two man operation to over a 100 employee company.

Friday we had a double business visit with Craig Wear to Wear Drug and Lake Hill Winery. I really enjoyed the visits because it’s something that you don’t get to see everyday. That’s one great thing about this class is the opportunities. 

03/17/2018

Friday we worked on our elevator pitches and I enjoyed that. I am nervous for banker day but I think it will all be okay and help us all out with our businesses.  03/10/2018

I believe the greatest strength of the CEOlympics was how we interacted with people and how we engaged them with our speeches.  All the feedback I got back was overly positive and everyone loved our event.   Personally, the minute that the programs and banner were picked up was probably the most fulfilling. I will remember how much work I put into it and that life isn’t fair.  There are going to be times when you're going to have to do something hard but you are just going to have to do it to the best of your ability.  
02/10/2018

Bill Rasmussen is an attorney in Carthage. “Smart people are great, but good people are better.” Which I really liked because in a small town good people go the extra mile for others. He also said that you can’t make everyone happy and I love that because that’s the truth in high school and the real world. There will always be that one person that will never appreciate what you do.

01/27/2018

Rachel Lewis, a first year CEO student, came to speak to us about marketing. I really enjoyed this speech because I am on the research team so it really helped me. One thing she said was always do your research first. Another way to market yourself isn’t always posting an ad it may be the way you act to make people remember you or even doing something unique. Something else she said was to brand and market yourself. What I think this means is to make yourself remembered like I said above. Make people laugh, be unique, make someone remember you. If I could take one thing from CEO it would have to be to brand yourself and make yourself be remembered. 

01/13/2018

Thursday we went to Udder Hill Dairy and it is probably my favorite visit so far. I LOVED the baby cows! The milking process surprised me. I thought it was going to be a general machine, but I was wrong! It was cool that it checked everything about the cow because of the one scan. I also asked what season do they produce more in and he said winter which surprised me because I wouldn’t have guessed that. 

12/16/2017

On Monday, Connor presented about leadership and communication and Kendra and I presented our chapter in the book. I believe Connor’s presentation really helped us open our eyes to how to see what good leadership traits are shown in businesses and groups.  

Tuesday was mentor meet and greet day and I was super excited to hear that I got Maddie as a mentor.  

Thursday we went to Harrison Monument in Warsaw I really enjoyed this visit because I honestly had no idea how stones like that were made. The way the laser works is incredible and I didn’t know that the granite was so fragile.

11/11/2017

Wednesday Ada Bair spoke to us and wow I really enjoyed her. I enjoyed learning the CEO side of the hospital. One thing that really stuck out was “allow others to help you be your best.”  

10/21/2017

Honey Zimmerman came to speak about supply chain management. I didn’t know what supply chain management was, but it is extremely interesting and I didn’t know all that was going on behind every company. I will definitely use my knowledge about this towards my personal business.

Wednesday we toured the Memorial Hospital with the guidance of Florine Dixon. I enjoyed this visit a lot because I really want to go into the medical field.

10/07/2017

Jan Filkins came to speak to us about goal setting. I absolutely loved her and how she shared all of the information with us. I really never realized how deep you have to plan a goal even not being close to accomplishing it. One thing she said over and over was, find your why. This goes along with find your passion, find your energy & make sure it’s something you want to do. Don’t take advice from someone that you wouldn’t trade places with.

09/30/2017

Craig Wear came to talk about his businesses in Hancock County.  Listening to Craig, it made me realize that if I want to do something I can do it even if it’s hard and takes time.

All in all, this week has been full of helpful and useful information, early mornings, and lots of new friends. I believe I am going to enjoy this class.

09/02/2017