Fayette County CEO program caps off year with annual trade show

The Fayette County CEO program shined the spotlight on a year’s worth of work as students promoted their small businesses.

The annual trade show, which was held at the Kaskaskia College Vandalia Education Center, provides an opportunity for the public to learn about and purchase goods and services from the budding entrepreneurs.

The Leader-Union talked with this year’s CEO students to find out the inspiration behind their businesses and what lessons they learned during the program that will help them next year.

Emma Hamilton, who recently learned that her pitch submission received an honorable mention by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship into the National Pitch Competition.

Her small business, Deserving Desserts, was inspired by her mother, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and how hard it was to order gluten free or sugar free sweets from bakeries. She creates non-traditional desserts like oatmeal cream pies, candied pecans and cookie bars with the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to treat themselves to something sweet.

“I learned a lot about how to be a professional,” Hamilton said. “Instead of being a shy person who stands in the corner and only talks to someone when they come to me, I am the first one to speak in conversations.”

Hamilton is planning to attend a university in St. Louis and study biomedical sciences but will run her business on the side.

Jade Whitehead, a senior at Brownstown High School, said she joined the Fayette County CEO program because she has always been outgoing, ever since she was crowned Jr. Miss Fayette County Fair Queen in 2017. Her business, Down 222 Earth Designs, offers comfortable and trendy clothes spread messages of peace, love and environmentalism. Her designs are shipped directly to her customers from a third party through drop shipping.

Whitehead said one of the most important lessons she has discovered is finding important business connections. She said she wants to become a real estate agent, flight attendant and marketing manager after high school.

“My biggest takeaway from CEO is networking and getting to talk to people and build those relationships,” Whitehead said.

Lilly Fender had been running her photography business, Lilly Isabella Photography, for the past two years before she became a participant in the CEO program, which has helped her value her work.

“My confidence in my work is one huge thing,” Fender said. “I was undercharging everyone, and I didn’t know that. My mentor gave me the confidence to charge what I deserve.”

Fender said she is planning to commit full time to her photography business after graduation. She added that she likes senior portraits and weddings because she enjoys being a part of someone’s celebration and finding ways to preserve those memories for them.

“I love the freedom that it gives me to be creative in a professional setting,” she said. “And as a senior myself, I love being able to connect with someone who are celebrating the same milestone.”

Next week, on May 1, Fender will be taking photos of the Vandalia City Council and city officials for the official website.

“As an individual, personally and professionally, depending on where you are in life, you will grow in so many ways if you apply yourself through this program,” Fender said.

Colin Hanagan said he took the idea of every pen having a story for his business Hannagan Pen Company. Each handcrafted pen is personally made, with customized wood and can take up to four hours to complete.

“But it is something I won’t sacrifice quality,” Hannagan said. “I want to make sure each pen is perfect, and I don’t care how long it takes.”

Hannagan said one of his main takeaways from the program was establishing customer relations.

“You can turn one customer into five customers,” he said. “It’s really about going out there and being yourself. Talking about your product to add value.”

Hannagan said he is attending aviation school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and continues to

 

For more information about the Fayette County CEO program, visit www.fayettecountyceo.com.

Photos by Leah Williams and provided by Fayette County CEO Facebook page.