ClassE is where we grow entrepreneurs and nurture success. This is what we have been learning this week.

We want to Thank Our Investors, Mentors and Parents. 
Come for some coffee and hear the 1-minute student business pitches. RSVP to [email protected].

Monday, Feb. 12th - The Importance of Financial Statements
with Ann Deters, Vantage Outsourcing

Tuesday, Feb 13th - Learning about the Procurement Process and Labor Unions
with Holly Bailey, Howell Paving and Asphalt
1020 N. 13th St., Mattoon

Wednesday, Feb 14th - Community Coffee and Business Pitches
Lifespan Center, Lower Level

Thursday, Feb 15th - Tour of Pinnacle Foods
with Kelly Simmonds
3801 Dewitt Ave., Mattoon

Friday, Feb. 16th - Workday
LLC Workforce Center
305 Richmond Ave. East, Mattoon

ClassE meets daily from 8-9:20 am at the Lifespan Center (unless noted above). 11021 E. Cty. Rd. 800 N., Charleston (Loxa Road - northeast of SBLHS). Class is open and welcome to everyone.
Learning About Food and Safety Regulations

Gloria Spear, of the Coles County Health Department, shared a wealth of information regarding what you need to do to open a restaurant in Coles County. She also discussed the various categories in which food can be served outside of the restaurant environment.
Marketing Coles County

Angela Griffin, President of Coles Together, discussed how to identifying your product or service's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. You also need to be  competitive in the 4 P's - product, price, place and promotion.

We discussed each student's business and challenged them on their 4 P's rationalization.
Visiting Fetchers

Mike Corray, business owner of Fetcher's, stocks quality pet foods and supplies. They are currently located in the former Charleston Post Office and he bought the building at a public auction. Mike has changed his business dramatically since he began at age 24.  He reduced his labor costs substantially by no longer selling livestock. 

We also discussed the "humanization" of pets and how these trends affect his current inventory. Puppy treats and clothes were highly visible as you walk in the door. The students loved his cat!


Learning about Bitcoin

Keith Bliss, of Bitcoin Maverick, discussed the evolution of value and how it has started as a barter, to banking and now an online process. Cryptocurrency, which sits on a blockchain, take the government and banking out of the currency process. There is a finite number of bitcoins, so the values fluctuate with demand.  This has a potential to become a big disrupter to the banking industry. 
We are so thankful for the generosity of the Coles County businesses that sponsor ClassE. For a complete listing and more information about these businesses, please click below.  We also appreciate the that the Lifespan Center serves as our home base throughout the year. We hope you support them as they support us!


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  Investors 
ClassE | 217-549-2564 | [email protected] | www.keepitclasse.org
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