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

We're excited to see you all at the ClassE Trade Show this next Tuesday, May 8th at the Lifespan Center from 5-7 pm. The program will begin at 6:15 pm.


Upcoming This Week

Monday, May 7th - American Genius - Jobs Vs. Gates
Lifespan Theatre

Tuesday, May 8th - Trade Show Set-UP

May 8th - Trade Show - 5-7 pm, Lifespan Center - All are Welcome and it is Free!

Wednesday, May 9th  - Teardown and Post Mortem of the Tradeshow

Buffalo Wild Wings Night - 10% goes to ClassE between 4-8 pm

Thursday, May 10th - ClassE End of the Year Breakfast and Hike
Sister City Park
Charleston


Friday, May 11th - Last Day of Class

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.
What to Consider When Selling a Business

John Inyart, former owner of Inyart Tire and Auto, told us about his father that ran the shoe business on the square in Charleston and how that showed him what running your own business entails. He worked with a franchise for years, then chose to become independent and rebranded the tire and auto store. He was looking for a buyer that would keep his employees jobs and who would be a stable tenant. The class discussed the process of how to look at the financials of an existing business and decide if it is healthy enough to buy. Terms discussed were, leasebacks, triple net lease, escrow accounts and bait and switch.
LSC Communications Tour

James Lanman, toured ClassE around the enormous facility and discussed how Donnellys split the company into three businesses - RR Donnellys, RR Donnellys Financial Services and  LSC Communications. LSC is a 3.5 billion dollar business with 20 thousand employees. They are the global leader in traditional and digital print. Books and magazines make up most of their business, but they also print notebooks. He discussed the career track in the business and pointed out that their volumes have started to climb. Although many people like e-readers, there are still plenty of people who prefer the hardback or soft-back book.
Alternative Stores

Kelly Green, owner of Cabi Clothing, discussed what an "alternative storefront" looks like at her home. Friends have home parties and she sells the cloths at the hosts home. Women love shopping with other women and this is a popular trend. She discussed the history of the Cabi Company and discussed the Heart of Cabi Foundation that gives micro-loans to women in third-world countries. They also gave $50 million in clothes stateside after floods, fires and tornados.  Kelly has had her business for three years and discussed how her background made this a good fit for her.
The "Wow" Experience

Ron Diepholz of Diepholz Chevrolet in Charleston, Paris and Effingham has seen slow and steady growth throughout the years. He discussed how an oil change is a loss leader to get customers in the door. His new facility in Charleston was designed to have the staff better interact with the customers and they also added   a photo booth for vehicles to sell on their cyber-lot. Having good pictures have increased their profits on the vehicles. He discussed continually striving to create "wow" moments for your clients and how how profitability shouldn't be your top priority at first.
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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