Young entrepreneurs to showcase new business at Jersey County CEO Trade Show

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By Steven Spencer

Jersey County CEO students have been hard at work and are ready to showcase their new businesses this Friday, April 19, at the Jersey County CEO Trade Show from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Farm and Home Supply in Jerseyville.

The CEO students began working on their individual businesses at the start of the spring semester and met with local bankers, learned about insurance and taxes, worked on logos, branding, and marketing all to prepare for their business launch and the trade show.

Liz Duggan, CEO Facilitator, said that although they only have a few months to prepare the students go through the entire process of starting their own business.

“They’ve been working on these since January, and it’s a process,” Duggan said. “They have to get their idea approved by the board, they have to meet with a banker, the banker goes over their start-up cost and all of that. It’s like a real business process just shortened. One of the nerve-racking things we have them do each year is that they have to give a pitch to the CEO Board. That’s the student’s most stressful day, but it’s also a day that I feel at the end of they feel really proud of themselves.”

Although the process may be stressful at times, Duggan said the students have a lot of support from the CEO Board as well as mentors from local businesses who regularly meet with the students.

“They all have mentors,” she said. “So while they’re building this business they get to meet with their mentor once a month and check in. They make sure that they’re up to speed on everything.”

This year’s group of CEOs has already proven just how capable they are at creating a business. During the fall semester, the students worked on a business together as a class and released a book on the history of Jersey County. With 840 copies of the book sold Duggan said it was the most successful class business to come from the program.

Some of the individual businesses have already launched and have had so much success they’ve cut off orders to ensure they’ll have inventory at the trade show.

“These students have created businesses that have the ability to last past their involvement with this program,” Duggan said. “This is our largest group of students yet and we could not be more impressed with what they have achieved. I almost always receive a text or email after we meet with a local business and they are telling me how impressed they are with this group of young adults. These are not your everyday teens, they are high-achievers who have big dreams and we are so blessed to be a small part of their journey.”

Friday’s CEO Trade Show will feature:

• Taylor Wilkinson Photography – A “Mini CEO” photo op for kids will be available the night of the trade show.

• Spirit by Holly – Holly Ricklefs (Sports buttons to support your favorite JCHS athlete).

• Libby Mae’d – Libby McCormick (hand-painted signs and rugs).

• Bloom Boutique – Emma McCormick (Chenille letter apparel).

• Burnin’ Red Design Co. – Michaela Eilerman (Dog lover apparel and dog accessories).

• Mr. B’s Rockin’ Spices – Bradley Heitzig (Seasonings).

• Jump Cheer – Jaleigh Smith (Starting an annual cheer clinic. Sign-ups start the night of the trade show).

• Hoops 3×3 Basketball Tournament – Bricklin Charlesworth (Sign-up starts the night of the trade show).

• Impressed – Becca Lacy (Custom Hand-stamped jewelry).

• County Coloring – Erica Davis (Jersey County themed coloring book featuring local businesses and attractions).

• Khloee’s Cattle Co. – Khloee Hall (handcrafted dow shaped planters for your flowers or a mini garden).

Duggan added that the success of the students and program wouldn’t be possible without the help of local investors, the CEO Board and business mentors. CEO Board members include Chairman Chris Simon of Bank of Calhoun County, Julie Pohlman (Julie’s Graphics Owner), Julie Brangenberg (Safe Harbor Wealth Management), Sharon Cameron (Royal Banks), Brad Tuttle (Jersey 100 Superintendent), Dr. Jason Brunaugh (JCHS Principal), Emily Fry (JCHS Guidance Counselor), Becky Wayne (JCBAO), Brian Hamm (U of I Professor and former CFO of Energizer), and Beth King (CEO JCH). Mentors include Steve Medford, Darci Ward, Ashleigh Hamilton, Brian Hamm, Julie Brangenberg, Chris Simon, Brad & Wendy Tonsor, Brian & Hannah Hutchinson, Crystal Bock, Beth King, Julie Pohlman.

This summer younger kids will also get a chance to showcase their own business with JCHS offering a Jersey County CEO Summer Camp. Kids from ages 5 to 15 will be able to create and develop their own businesses before showcasing on the last day of camp.