Sometimes a small moment hits you right in the heart. ❤️

One of my students, DJ Schmitz, texted me a picture about an hour ago and I honestly can’t stop smiling about it.

He said:

“Look who I ran into today.
I saw her and couldn’t figure out where I knew her from. She sat down, opened her purse, and a penny fell out. Out of instinct, I got up, picked it up, and handed it to her. Then I asked if her name was Lisa. She was like, ‘OMG, I remember!’ and we talked for about 30 minutes about life. Great time.”

Y’all… 🥹❤️

It was Lisa Phillipson from Hospice of Southern Illinois.

A guest speaker who came into our Silver Creek Area CEO classroom back in August.

And not just any speaker…

Lisa came in and spoke to our students about soft skills — the things that matter so much in life and business but don’t always get enough attention:
how you carry yourself,
how you communicate,
how you connect,
how you make people feel.

And here we are…

Spring Break.
The day before Easter.
No class. No assignment. No obligation.

And one of my students immediately texted me because he recognized a speaker from over 7 months ago, remembered her name, started a conversation, and then stood there talking with her about life for 30 minutes.

And honestly… this right here…IS EVERYTHING!!! ❤️

This is what Silver Creek Area CEO is all about.

This year alone, our students have visited 35 businesses, welcomed 33 guests and 20 mentors into our classroom, and participated in networking days where over 100 people came in to meet them.

That is a LOT of faces.
A LOT of names.
A LOT of conversations.

And yet…

he remembered hers.

That just says so much.

Because what Lisa taught stuck.

And what our students are building through this program is so much bigger than business plans, presentations, and products.

They are learning how to:
* notice people
* make connections
* start conversations
* carry confidence
* build relationships
* be a good person — especially when no one is watching

And those are the kinds of skills that will take them far in life.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments of this program happen outside the classroom… in the little, unexpected moments where you realize:

They’re getting it.
Not just the business side.
Not just the entrepreneurship side.

But the people side.

And that matters deeply.

So today, my heart is just full.
Full of gratitude for the people who pour into our students.
Full of pride for the growth happening in these young adults.
And full of joy that even on Spring Break, these are the kinds of moments they are excited to share.

Because sometimes the best proof that this program is working looks like a pizza place, a dropped penny,
and a conversation that mattered. ❤️

Lisa — thank you for pouring into our students in a way that clearly stayed with them. Your impact mattered, and today was such a beautiful reminder of that.

And DJ… thank you for texting me this today.
Thank you for sharing the moment, for recognizing the connection, and for reminding me why this work matters so much.
You may not even realize it, but today you gave me one of those moments I’ll hang onto for a very long time.

This is Silver Creek Area CEO. ❤️

#SilverCreekAreaCEO #ThisIsCEO #MoreThanBusiness #SoftSkillsMatter #HeartFull #CommunityConnect