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

We hope to see you all today at 11- noon and 1-2 pm at the ClassE Trade Show at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Education Center.

Monday, May 1st - Investor Calls and Messaging
with Jamie Pilson and Bob Jones

Tuesday, May 2nd  - Tour of a Cabi Business
with Kelly Green
29 Stonegate Dr., Charleston

Wednesday, May 3rd - Role Play and Messaging
with Jamie Pilson and Jim Zimmer

Thursday, May 4th - Investor Visits (Meet at Lifespan at 8 am)

Friday, May 5th - Investor Visits (Meet at Lifespan at 8 am)

We will provide trade show pictures in next week's e-blast.


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. 
Making Investor Appointments 

The students learned the strategies of cold calling and making appointments with ClassE existing and potential donors. Julia Griffin blew everyone away and secured the most visits. She was rewarded with a Starbucks card and bragging rights.






How to Make it in Farming

We made a trip south of Charleston to visit the 3 year old First Fruits Homestead to talk to co-owners Lauren Calandrilla and Jess Sweitzer. Both had little experience in farming, but were called to start this 4-acre vegetable garden which sells at local farmer's markets and to members of their CSA (community supported agriculture) endeavor. 

At first, they thought that they would focus on helping food insecure families, but their mission has expanded as the farm has grown. They now educate quite a few students and provide connection to the farm for many people. They also raise miniature cattle, chickens, ducks, turkeys, donkeys and pigs. 





Participating in the U of I Entrepreneurship Forum

The last field trip of the year took us to the University of Illinois to see the finalists of the Cozad Business Competition at their trade show.

The students heard a panel discussion featuring Naira Howkimyan with IntelinAir, Joe Jablonski with Ocient and Robert Brunner with the University of Illinois. When asked what they next big thing was, they mentioned space travel, merging of machines and humans and looking forward to making less decisions. A big disrupter is the current change in how we store data.
It was such a fascinating day that showed the students to think big!

A big thank you to the Charleston Area Charitable Foundation that made this field trip possible.




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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