I watched our students last week as they worked through something most 17- and 18-year-olds have never done before. They are seniors in high school who have chosen to step out of their comfort zones, join CEO, and launch their own businesses. For many of them, this was the first time thinking about loans, financial statements, operating costs, and projections, things most adults do not fully understand until much later in life.
Laptops were open. Notebooks were filling up. Pens were moving quickly as students tried to keep up, asked questions, and made sense of information that felt very real and very important.
Kevin Welch and Monica Mueller from First National Bank of Waterloo took time out of their busy schedules to be with us and walk our students through it all. They patiently explained personal financial statements, how banks really work, and what it takes to earn a lender’s trust. They met our students exactly where they are and treated them like real entrepreneurs.
They even came prepared with the smallest but most thoughtful detail. Each student received their own First National Bank of Waterloo bank bag with a 100 Grand bar and a PayDay inside. It may seem simple, but the students loved it. It made them feel seen, appreciated, and excited to be learning. It was another reminder that Kevin and Monica truly care about connecting with our kids, not just teaching content.
One student wrote in their journal, “The personal financial statement really opened my eyes as to how much I don’t know.” Another reflected, “I need to know my business in all aspects and know my numbers before I go to a bank. The number one advice Monica said was to have a plan for my business, and I am still working on that.”
Even when some of the concepts felt overwhelming, Kevin and Monica never rushed them. They encouraged questions. They explained things again. They made sure students felt supported and capable.
When Kevin said, “Bankers are not your investors,” you could almost see the light bulbs turning on. The students began to understand that a loan is a responsibility and that preparation and confidence go hand in hand.
They also explained the difference between community, regional, and national banks, and why First National Bank of Waterloo is proud to be a community bank that focuses on relationships and personal connections. That message fit perfectly with what we try to teach in this program about trust, relationships, and investing in people.
The very next day we had a class day, and I watched students quietly reworking pricing, adjusting budgets, and building stronger business plans. Some sat with calculators. Others leaned over to compare ideas. They were taking ownership of their work in a whole new way. They simply understood that it mattered.
As a facilitator, moments like these mean everything to me. Watching students grow in confidence, push through uncertainty, and believe in themselves is why I love this program so much.
We are incredibly grateful for First National Bank of Waterloo and for Kevin and Monica’s willingness to continually show up for our students. From classroom visits to networking events to serving as a fiscal sponsor of the Silver Creek Area CEO program, they go above and beyond to support these young entrepreneurs. Their time, encouragement, and investment in our students does not go unnoticed.
With Banker’s Day approaching, our students will soon sit across from local bankers and share their dreams. Because of Kevin and Monica’s guidance and FNB Waterloo’s continued support, they will walk in more prepared, more confident, and more grounded than ever.
Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Monica. Thank you, First National Bank of Waterloo, for believing in our students and walking alongside us on this journey. We are so blessed to have you as partners in the Silver Creek Area CEO program.
