This year in Belleville CEO, I have grown significantly both as a person and an aspiring entrepreneur. I learned how to engage more meaningfully with others, how to collaborate effectively in a team, and how to lead with purpose. At the start of the year, I never imagined myself capable of strong management, but now I see that I have a natural ability to organize, delegate, and guide a team toward a goal.
Throughout the program, I strengthened a variety of skills, but my leadership growth stands out the most. Gaining confidence in this area felt especially meaningful because I have struggled with self-assurance for much of my life. CEO also taught me resilience. When we faced challenges, such as running out of raffle tickets during our class business event, I learned to stay calm, use available resources, and work with my team to create a quick, effective solution.
As part of the class business team, I contributed by managing financials and helping determine pricing structures. I learned that collaboration requires balance — everyone deserves to be heard, but compromises often need to be made to serve the larger goal. Working with people who think differently taught me to appreciate diverse perspectives without losing focus on what works best for the project.
My mindset toward entrepreneurship has shifted dramatically. I now understand the immense effort, creativity, and adaptability required to run a business. I developed habits, such as writing down tasks and maintaining timelines, that will serve me well in any future venture. Becoming CFO and helping to build the business plan stand as accomplishments I am proud of, along with designing and printing our class badges to save money and streamline production.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue entrepreneurial pursuits alongside whatever career path I choose. If possible, I would love to open a larger business one day. I owe much of my positive experience this year to my classmates, the excellent C-suite leaders, and Nick’s guidance. For future students, my advice is simple: stay organized, plan ahead, and always push yourself to do your best.
