Belleville CEO, 218 W Main St, Belleville, IL (2026)

05/09/2026

This year in Belleville CEO has helped me grow in many ways as a person, student, and future entrepreneur. At the beginning of the program, I was hesitant to speak up, share ideas, and take risks. Now, I believe in my ability to lead, communicate, and adapt when challenges come my way. I have become more confident and more willing to step outside of my comfort zone.

Throughout the year, I developed valuable skills such as leadership, public speaking, time management, teamwork, and problem solving. One skill I am most proud of is growing as a public speaker. Presenting in front of others used to make me nervous, but CEO gave me many opportunities to practice and improve. Because of that, I now feel more comfortable expressing my ideas clearly and professionally.

I contributed to our class business team by gaining sponsors, completing tasks, and supporting others when needed. Working with classmates taught me that successful teamwork depends on communication, trust, and respecting different perspectives. Everyone brings different strengths, and learning how to combine those strengths is important in any business.

My view of entrepreneurship has changed a lot this year. I used to think entrepreneurship was only about starting a business and making money. Now I understand it is also about solving problems, creating value, taking initiative, and learning from failure. I have developed a mindset of being proactive and looking for opportunities, which I know will help me in the future.

What I am most proud of is completing the program while growing personally and professionally. I am proud of the work I put into projects, presentations, and relationships built throughout the year. This program has influenced my future goals by showing me the importance of leadership, networking, and innovation. It has made me interested in exploring business and entrepreneurship further.

I am grateful for my classmates, mentors, facilitators, and local business leaders who shared their time and advice. They made this experience meaningful and inspiring. My advice to next year’s students would be to stay open-minded, work hard, ask questions, and take every opportunity to learn.

05/08/2026

The Belleville CEO program is something I will look back on 20 or 30 years from now and remember as if it were yesterday. It has been one of the most impactful and meaningful experiences of my high school career. Through this class, I have made so many amazing memories, built lasting friendships, and formed valuable connections within my community that I know will continue to benefit me in the future. What truly sets this program apart and makes it so unique is everything it teaches is beyond what a traditional classroom can offer. Through real-world experiences, interactions with local business owners, and hands-on projects, I gained an insane amount of confidence, along with patience, maturity, and kindness - qualities that I had not fully developed before the program. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me how to adapt, lead, and communicate in professional environments. When I first started in Belleville CEO, I knew that I wanted to go into a field that focuses on helping people. At the time, my plan was to pursue a career in nursing. Now, I aspire to help individuals and families by guiding them toward financial stability and success. Understanding financial reports, learning how businesses operate, and seeing firsthand the impact of smart financial decisions has opened my eyes to a new and exciting career path. I am so incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this amazing program. The support from mentors, connections within the community, and the lessons I have learned have been so valuable. I could not recommend it enough to others who have an interest in entrepreneurship or people who just want to get more involved with their community.

05/08/2026

Looking back at the start of this year, I barely recognize the person I was. If I had to sum up my experience in the Belleville CEO program in one word, it would be growth. Before this program, the idea of speaking confidently to adults or professionals felt completely out of reach. I stayed tucked inside my comfort zone. CEO pushed me out of it. Through business visits and networking, I learned how to communicate properly and hold my own in a room full of leaders. I’ve realized that fear isn’t a stop sign; it’s just something that holds you back from your dreams if you let it. My professional skills have transformed alongside my personal confidence. While my time management is a work in progress, my ability to speak up and advocate for my ideas has grown immensely. I am most proud of how far my individual business has come. Seeing a concept turn into a reality taught me more about discipline and ex*****on than any textbook ever could. It wasn't always easy. One of my greatest hardships was the three-minute pitch. It was a high-pressure moment that tested my nerves, but I chose to persevere and give it my absolute best. That experience, and this entire year, taught me that I am more resilient than I realized. To my classmates, mentors, and the Belleville community: thank you for a year of challenges and breakthroughs. I’m walking away not just as a student, but as an aspiring entrepreneur ready to take on what’s next.

05/08/2026

The CEO program has impacted me in so many different ways that I am truly grateful for. The lessons I have learned will follow me through my life and help me grow as an individual. Not only have I grown to become more confident in talking with adults, but I have also become better at learning how to hold a full conversation. I’ve also learned how to speak with more confidence in what I am talking about. Whether it’s a pitch or just an idea that I’m throwing out to my classmates or mentor. It has also allowed me to get more connected with my community. There are so many businesses that I visited that I either didn’t know were small businesses, or didn’t realize everything that they did. CEO has also given me the opportunity to understand what it is like being a founder of your own business. Even if I were to never own a business, I still understand the roles and responsibilities to hold a higher role. It has also given me greater respect for people that put so much time and effort into something they have created. During one of my favorite business visits I also learned some of my favorite advice, I learned to not take a break until I get to my goal. I learned that too many times when you are working towards something and feel like you are making progress, you begin to lack off. I learned you never take a break until it is completed. Another thing CEO gave me is an out of classroom look out into reality. Every other class I take is inside a school building. I think the coolest thing about this class is that you get a chance to step out into the real world and understand real world things right in front of you. I would recommend CEO to any person, even if you are deciding not to go into business. It still allows you to learn many important values when entering adulthood.

05/08/2026

CEO has taught me numerous lessons and granted me countless opportunities that I will be forever grateful for. I have learned how networking allows a person to build a greater personal connection between local business owners. Over the course of this class, I have witnessed how these connections help to better unify the city of Belleville. Additionally, I believe that I am a lot more creative than I have previously thought. After the class business I showed an immense amount of creativity. I learned a lot during class business like trying to create flyers that were eye-catching and creative, yet full of the proper information. Through this, I learned what drew the most attention from viewers. During our class business I heard that some customers were getting confused as to if they were all talking about the same talent show. I found this feedback to be very useful and from there on out I made sure all the flyers were similar in theme and color scheme. This ensured that every flyer had some new spark to it, but was undeniably talking about Belleville’s Got Talent. From this real world experience, I now feel much better prepared for any future advertisements I create. My creative designing habits have not only helped me in CEO but in school and overall in life. I now have such a better mindset of being able to create something out of nothing that will stick with me for life. Furthermore, I am most proud of my work ethic and how I have found ways to finish all of my work even at times when I am overwhelmed. CEO has pushed me to find ways to get any amount of work done even when I don’t have much time. Overall, CEO gives me the inspiration to one day return to Belleville and get my own business involved in such an extensive networking system.

05/08/2026

CEO really changed how I look at business and myself. Coming into it, I already had an interest in selling and making money, but I didn’t fully understand everything that goes into running a business. This program showed me it’s way deeper than that. It’s about consistency, communication, problem solving, and building something people actually trust. One of the biggest things CEO did for me was push me out of my comfort zone. At the beginning, talking in front of people, networking, and even just introducing myself wasn’t easy. But over time, I got way more confident. I can now hold conversations better, present myself professionally, and connect with different types of people. That growth didn’t happen overnight, but it definitely showed throughout the year. My business, Flip It, taught me real responsibility. I had to manage orders, stay organized, communicate with customers, and work with people on prices so it worked for both sides. It made me realize how important customer service and reliability is. If you do people right, they’ll come back and even bring others with them. I also learned that things don’t always go as planned items don’t sell right away or problems come up but you have to adjust, stay patient, and keep going. Another big part of CEO was learning from real business owners and experiences outside the classroom. Hearing their stories showed me that success doesn’t happen instantly. Everyone has setbacks, but consistency and hard work are what separate people in the long run. Overall, CEO helped me become more confident, disciplined, and focused. It gave me real-world experience that you just can’t get from a normal class. Most importantly, it showed me that I’m capable of building something for myself if I stay consistent and keep improving. This program really helped set the foundation for what I want to do moving forward. I, Jace Strickland, am an entrepreneur!

05/08/2026

This year in CEO has had a major impact on me, and looking back, I feel truly thankful for everything it has given me. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t fully understand how much this program would push me or change the way I think, but now I can clearly see the growth in my confidence, mindset, and goals for the future. One of the biggest things I’m grateful for is the opportunity to meet and learn from real business leaders. Hearing their stories and seeing how they built their companies made success feel more real and possible for me. The business visits, especially to Holland and Visionary, had a huge impact on me. Being able to step inside those businesses and see how they operate day to day helped me understand what running a business actually looks like beyond just an idea.
Those visits helped me figure out what I want to do in the future. Seeing the different environments, leadership styles, and how each business was run gave me a clearer picture of what kind of business I want to build myself. It also showed me that there isn’t just one path to success—there are many ways to get there if you’re willing to work for it. Because of those experiences, I gained the confidence to start my own business. Before CEO, I probably wouldn’t have taken that step, but after learning directly from people who have already done it, it made me realize I can too. I learned that starting small is okay and that taking action matters more than being perfect. Overall, I’m thankful for CEO because it helped me grow not just as a student, but as a person and future entrepreneur. It gave me real experiences, real connections, and a clearer vision for my future. This is something I’ll carry with me long after this year ends.

05/08/2026

The CEO program has helped me grow in many ways. When I first joined the class, I lacked confidence in my ability to speak to others especially people I didn’t know. Over time, however, I developed the confidence and communication skills needed to interact with others more comfortably and effectively. This growth did not happen by accident; the program consistently pushed me out of my comfort zone, which ultimately allowed me to become more self-assured.
One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the opportunity to network and connect with business professionals in my community. Through these experiences, I gained a deeper appreciation for the place I grew up and the people who contribute to its success. Building these relationships also helped me better understand what it takes to succeed in the real world and showed me the importance of professionalism and strong communication.
In addition, the CEO program challenged me in ways that no other class has. It required me to think creatively, solve problems, and adapt when faced with obstacles. Rather than following a set path, I had to learn how to adjust and make decisions in real time skills that are essential in both business and life.
I also had the opportunity to contribute to our class business by creating financial projections and setting realistic financial expectations. This experience gave me a better understanding of how businesses operate and the importance of planning, accountability, and goal setting. Being part of something larger than myself taught me the value of teamwork and responsibility.
Overall, the CEO program has prepared me in invaluable ways for the next step in my life. The confidence, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities I have developed will continue to benefit me in the future. I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had and hope to continue building on these skills as I move forward.

05/08/2026

Throughout my CEO journey, I have grown into a much more mature and confident person. At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t as comfortable stepping out of my comfort zone, especially when it came to meeting new people or speaking in front of others. However, CEO pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. One of the biggest areas of improvement for me has been my communication skills. I now feel confident introducing myself, starting conversations, and speaking in front of large groups. These are skills I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Another important takeaway from CEO is the value of networking. The connections I’ve built throughout this program are meaningful and will last a lifetime. I’ve learned that who you know and how you treat people truly matters. CEO showed me that building genuine relationships can open doors and create opportunities that you might not get on your own. CEO also taught me the importance of first impressions and how people perceive you. The way you present yourself through your attitude, effort, and professionalism can have a lasting impact. I’ve learned that being respectful, dependable, and positive makes people more likely to trust
and support you. Overall, CEO has helped shape me both personally and professionally. It has taught me that connections are everything, and when you build a strong reputation, people are more willing to help you succeed. This experience has prepared me for the future by giving me confidence, communication skills, and an overall better understanding of how to navigate the real world.

05/08/2026

This past year in the Belleville CEO program has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t fully understand my potential as a leader or how much I would grow. Now, I see a completely different version of myself—someone who is more accountable, open-minded, and confident. I’ve learned to listen to others without judgment and value different perspectives, which has made me not only a better teammate but also a stronger person overall.
One of the biggest realizations I’ve had is that I am capable of leading a team successfully. Serving as the CEO of our class business challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. At first, it was difficult to balance being friendly with my classmates while also being in charge. I wanted to be liked, but I also needed to lead effectively. Over time, I learned how to find that balance, and that experience taught me a lot about leadership, communication, and responsibility.
Throughout the program, I developed important skills like time management and leadership, but the skill I’m most proud of is public speaking. Before this class, I was uncomfortable speaking in front of adults, and it was something I actively avoided. Now, I can confidently present ideas and communicate clearly, which is something I never thought I’d be able to say.
This program also taught me resilience. There were challenges and moments of uncertainty, but I learned that quitting is not an option. There is always a way to improve, adapt, and move forward. Working with a team showed me how important collaboration is—everyone brought different strengths, and without each person contributing, we wouldn’t have succeeded.
Looking ahead, this experience has influenced my future by showing me what I’m capable of and pushing me to continue growing. My advice to future participants would be to step out of your comfort zone and embrace every opportunity, because that’s where the most growth happens.

Belleville CEO

05/09/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organization

Shortcuts

Share

Category