“The event exceeded expectations in every way,” said Program Facilitator Pete Visintin, who noted the students received “extremely positive” feedback from the attendees. “From the responses we’ve received, our attendees left the event changed for the better than when they arrived, equipped with knowledge and inspiration to improve their businesses and organizations.”
The Southwest Minnesota Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program offers entrepreneurship education that seeks to prepare people, especially youths, to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. The CEO program is much more than a textbook course. Rather, students are immersed in real life learning experiences with the opportunity to take risks, manage the results and learn from the outcomes.
Kyle Schuster, who is in the accompanying picture, said: “I think anytime you can partner local communities while involving past and present members it’s a good thing. Not only does it show a sense of pride but it also shows a lot of promise for our future. Everyone involved with putting this together did an excellent job, especially the kids of the Union County CEO program.”
Mower CEO focuses on teaching students about business through real-world applications, such as creating business plans and working with community investors, as well as becoming entrepreneurs who contribute to the local community and its economic development. Students who are enrolled in the program shared their experiences with a roomful of investors and community members and talked about their progress.
The Shelby County CEO program will host a Wild West-themed murder mystery dinner and silent auction from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Shelbyville Event Center.