Montgomery CEO

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Montgomery CEO The Montgomery CEO Program is based off of a successful program in Effingham, IL. The CEO program is much more than a textbook course.

CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) is an initiative of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation as an entrepreneurship education program which prepares youth to become entrepreneurial thinkers. CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) is an entrepreneurship education program that prepares youth, to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. Rather, students are immersed in real life learning experiences with the opportunity to take risks, capitalize on opportunities and analyze results.

This morning, we visited Knodle Ltd. with Heather Hampton Knodle, who hosted our team and told the story of her many end...
10/15/2026

This morning, we visited Knodle Ltd. with Heather Hampton Knodle, who hosted our team and told the story of her many endeavors in business and in life. She started all the way back with her very first venture selling pet rocks at around eight years old, winding through the businesses she has built, grown, and learned from in the years since, all under the idea that you are continually becoming.

As she talked through those experiences, Heather kept coming back to a few core lessons. Access to market matters, and when you don't have it yourself, it's worth finding who you know that can open that door for you. Pricing has to be built on truly understanding your own inputs so you stay profitable, and a strong presentation with good packaging can carry a product further than people expect. She talked about knowing what you love and loving what you do, since the work itself is worth the effort even when the rewards take their time showing up. She also encouraged the team to stand out and stay memorable rather than blending in, to step outside their comfort zone, to decide intentionally when to be available and when to disconnect, and to stay focused on making a real difference.

Thank you to Heather for hosting our team and sharing the wisdom gained from a lifetime of building and growing!

Today, we hosted Zach Wygal, founder of Stamp Out Cancer, for a conversation with our team. What started as an idea for ...
10/13/2026

Today, we hosted Zach Wygal, founder of Stamp Out Cancer, for a conversation with our team. What started as an idea for Zach to donate his job tips to the Montgomery County Cancer Association grew into a full scale event and fundraising season, now consistently raising over $100,000 each year for the cause.

Our team members heard about the power of a strong, recognizable logo and why continuing to evolve an event matters, since stagnancy causes interest to fade. Zach also walked through how Stamp Out Cancer now runs team based fundraising throughout an entire season leading up to the main event, with the top fundraising team named champion, and shared the logistical lessons his team has picked up along the way. We were able to connect much of this directly to our team members' own class business, and Zach’s expertise and insight will help them as they plan their event.

Thank you to Zach for joining our team and sharing how a simple act of generosity turned into a movement supporting real cancer care in our community.

Thank you for Curbside Cravings for supporting Montgomery CEO!
10/13/2026

Thank you for Curbside Cravings for supporting Montgomery CEO!

Thank you to Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service for sponsoring Hunter Heyen for our badge business this year!
10/12/2026

Thank you to Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service for sponsoring Hunter Heyen for our badge business this year!

Thank you Aumann Auctions for being a badge business sponsor this year, and for supporting Montgomery CEO!
10/10/2026

Thank you Aumann Auctions for being a badge business sponsor this year, and for supporting Montgomery CEO!

Thank you to Edwards Orthodontics for sponsoring Ryder Dettman and supporting Montgomery CEO!
10/09/2026

Thank you to Edwards Orthodontics for sponsoring Ryder Dettman and supporting Montgomery CEO!

Thank you to Nutrien in Nokomis for sponsoring this year's badge business, giving the team a tour, and teaching us all a...
10/08/2026

Thank you to Nutrien in Nokomis for sponsoring this year's badge business, giving the team a tour, and teaching us all about their business!

This morning we held our annual Mentor Matching event. Each year, CEO team-members are paired with a local experienced m...
10/08/2026

This morning we held our annual Mentor Matching event. Each year, CEO team-members are paired with a local experienced mentor to help them throughout the year in their class and personal businesses.

Many team-members in CEO site the mentor relationship as one of the most valuable parts of the program, and we are grateful to have mentors in our community who support the next generation of entrepreneurs!

Thank you to Country Financial representative Nathan Clementz for being a Montgomery CEO badge business sponsor! Country...
10/07/2026

Thank you to Country Financial representative Nathan Clementz for being a Montgomery CEO badge business sponsor! Country Financial is proud to support local high schools with the Sport Your School giveaway! To enter your school for a chance to win $5,000, fill out and submit the form at https://cloud.mail.countryfinancial.com/IHSA #/

If you're looking for insurance service, call Nathan at the above number or stop by his office at 210 W State St in Nokomis.

Today, we visited Kismet Coffee with owners Brayden and Ann Helgen. Started four years ago, Kismet spent about a year re...
10/06/2026

Today, we visited Kismet Coffee with owners Brayden and Ann Helgen. Started four years ago, Kismet spent about a year renovating their building, blending historic character with modern touches to create a space that feels like a true destination rather than just a pit stop.

Our team members heard how every past experience, even ones that don't seem directly relevant, can come back around and add value in business. For example, Brayden shared how his time at Build A Bear corporate shaped the way he thinks about retail and customer experience today. The conversation also covered the importance of standing out through real differentiators, creating a welcoming feeling for customers, and staying intentional rather than confusing convenience with efficiency or activity with actual achievement.

The biggest takeaway of the day: don't confuse being busy with being productive, real progress comes from intentional, focused effort. Thank you to Brayden and Ann for hosting our team and sharing such a great look into building an incredible business from the ground up.

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