Sometimes a business starts with a business plan. Sometimes it starts with one phone call and a question. Thank you to Bob Timmerman, Managing Partner at Park North Golf Club, for spending the morning with our Gateway CEO Class of 2027.

We took a lot of notes during this visit—which probably tells you something about how much ground we covered!

Bob began by sharing his own story. After a successful career in medical sales and leadership, he reached a point where he was ready to step away from that chapter of his career. But retirement didn't necessarily mean being finished. He wanted an opportunity to give back, stay engaged and create something meaningful in the community. And then came a phone call.

What started with simply trying to find out who owned an old driving range eventually grew into the vision for Park North—a sports and golf entertainment complex near the 143 and I-55/70 corridor. Today, that vision includes five managing partners, dozens of additional investors, more than 100 employees—including 15+ salaried positions—and a destination designed to create memories for families, businesses and our community.

But what I loved most about Bob's conversation with our students was that he didn't skip over everything that happened between the idea and the finished product. Because THAT is where entrepreneurship lives.

Students heard about feasibility studies and market analysis. How far will people drive? Is the population there to support the concept? What does the competition look like?

They learned about financing and investors—and the very real risk that comes with investing in a new venture.

They heard about hard costs AND soft costs. Construction, furniture and equipment may be the obvious expenses, but then come legal fees, banking, engineering, architectural work, permits, infrastructure and countless other costs that have to be anticipated.

They talked about working with attorneys, architects, builders, bankers, accountants and other professionals. Getting multiple bids. Understanding what you're paying for. Not overpaying—but also recognizing that the cheapest option isn't always the best option.

And then there are all of the things you simply can't predict. Soil studies. Engineering. Weather. Construction delays. Approvals. Changing costs. Problems that weren't part of the original plan. Building something big requires flexibility.

Bob also gave students a look at what happens AFTER the doors open. Marketing matters. Social media matters. Community relationships matter. Word of mouth matters.

But maybe one of the simplest business lessons of the morning was this:

How do you get people to come back? Give them a great experience.

And Park North has created an experience that reaches well beyond golf.

It's a place for families to spend time together, but it's also an incredible Metro East option for businesses and their teams to gather, host events, celebrate milestones and entertain clients—all without having to leave our side of the river for a great experience.

That leads us to another very special thank you to Brad Fry, Director of Sales and Marketing, who coordinated our visit and helped make this morning possible.

Events are a huge part of what keeps a venue like Park North moving, and Brad does a phenomenal job of creating those opportunities and bringing people through the doors. It's another side of entrepreneurship our students get to see: building the business is one thing. Continually finding ways to bring customers in, serve them well and give them a reason to return is another.

Park North didn't happen overnight. The process from concept through feasibility, financing, planning and construction took years. That's such an important lesson for young entrepreneurs. We see the finished building. We see the customers. We see the restaurant, driving range, putting course and people having fun.

What we don't always see are the meetings, spreadsheets, investor conversations, legal work, financing, setbacks, construction decisions, marketing plans and thousands of little decisions required before—and after—the doors ever open.

One idea. One phone call. Five managing partners. Dozens of investors. More than 100 employees. And a vision that became a destination right here in the Metro East.

That's entrepreneurship.

Thank you, Bob and Brad, for opening the doors, sharing so freely and giving our Class of 2027 an incredibly transparent look at what it takes to dream something, build something—and then keep growing it.

Pretty sure my ten pages of notes prove we were listening.

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