ClassE is where we grow entrepreneurs and nurture success. Read about what we have been learning.

Great News! We had a record number of 44 students that applied for next year's class. Confirmations will go out next month after board approval.

Monday, Feb. 20th -  President's Day - No ClassE

Tuesday, Feb. 21st  - Marketing Plan Examples and Workday on Annual Report &
Make-up Book Discussions

Wednesday, Feb. 22nd - Learning About Business Appraisals and Rental Prices
With Dan Corrie of Corrie Appraisal

Thursday, Feb. 23rd -  Pricing Your Product 
with Chris Swing, Vantage Outsourcing

Friday, Feb. 24th - Book Discussions 

Location: Lifespan Center (unless noted below), 11021 E. Cty. Rd. 800 N. Charleston (Loxa Rd just northeast of SBLHS).  Class is open and everyone is welcome. 

Bike and Hike Tour

Ed Thomas, owner of Bike and Hike in Charleston and Mattoon discussed all aspects of his business. First we learned about the biking trends, his target market and how he created his logo. Then we discussed the Charleston Lake Bike trails and the grant 
that will connect the Mattoon Amtrak Station to Lake Charleston and beyond.

Researching Our Market & Book Discussion

The marketing plans are due next week, so the students learned about primary and secondary research, Census.gov, NAICS codes and market share.  Noah Patterson, led a book discussion on Leading with the Heart, by football great, Emmitt Smith. Mr. Smith focused on setting specific goals and giving back to the group and believing in a higher power. 
Learning How to Hire and Be Hired

Andrea Applegate, a recruiter with Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems, spoke to the students about what she sees as common mistakes during the interview process. We discussed about owning your personal brand on social media and questions that are illegal to ask when hiring.
Learning How Millionaires Think and the Hedgehog Principle 

Reece Prior discussed all the interesting facts about how millionaires think, live and spend their money he learned while reading The Millionaire Next Door.  

Luke Jurka discussed the many traits of good leadership in growing companies and the Hedgehog principle that he learned while reading Good to Great by Jim Collins. Ask you students if they can explain the hedgehog principle to you.
Working on the Annual Report

Students are beginning to create the annual report and we explored ideas for a new cover. 
Discovering Leasing Options 

Amy Davee, manager of the Cross County Mall, discussed her job, industry trends in retailing and the complexities of leasing space.

We were later joined by Julie Wolf of Carson Pirie Scott, who discussed the inventory, sales strategies and logistics of moving the product from the trucks to the shelf and into the consumer's hands.
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 | j[email protected] | www.keepitclasse.org
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