WSCEO

06/12/2026

05/21/2026

Russ Cherne of PCG Law makes it sound simple. It's about helping people resolve their issues. Working heavily in mediation makes Russ an expert at helping people move forward. From Russ, we learned...
- Mediation helps the system and all parties involved. With an overwhelmed legal system, it benefits everyone!
- Market yourself through unique ways. Have you considered simply taking someone out to lunch?
Thanks for a truly awesome conversation. We loved your enthusiasm and appreciate your dedication to the WSCEO Program!

05/20/2026

Destination unknown! Pallets from Centre Pallet are certified to ship to any country in the world! From Alan, we learned how the US tracks every pallet that leaves the US. Each one gets a stamp with all the information needed. From Alan and his staff, we learned...
- Opportunities come unexpectedly. A door can open through a simple conversation. Be ready.
- Not only do they build them, but they fix them too at their facility in Clarissa.
- They are a log to pallet operation. The pallets they build today were trees just a few short days ago.
We enjoyed our tour of the pallet shop and the conversation with the staff at Centre Pallet. We are grateful for your support of WSCEO and your dedication to the program!

05/19/2026

Our tour of the Melrose Feed Mill gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a 5th-generation turkey operation. From barn design to workforce retention, it was impressive to see how much strategy and planning are involved in modern agriculture. From Pete and Peyton we learned...
- ¾ of a turkey’s feed is corn, so closely watching corn prices is critical.
- Barns with east and west layouts hold heat better against the wind.
- Hiring and retaining a long-term workforce helps reduce the high costs of retraining employees.
Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with us. We appreciate all your time and everything you do for WSCEO!

05/18/2026

It's the biggest shopping mall in North America, and today we got a behind the scenes tour. The tour was full of amazing trivia and little known facts, but we also learned a lot about marketing and first impressions. From Tif and Natalie, we learned...
📍It's all about location, and Bloomington was a perfect fit: Near the airport, lots of hotels, and no sales tax on clothing.
👀 Over 150,000 people visited the mall on the first day!
👍 Over 10,000 people work in the mall, including groundskeepers and the largest private security force in North America.
Thank you for a great tour and for sharing the amazing story of how the MOA came to be in Minnesota!

05/12/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the WSCEO Business Expo this morning! It was a huge success because of you!

It’s been incredible to watch these students grow and excel over the past year. The skills they’ve developed are equipping them with a strong foundation for future success in business and beyond.

This program wouldn’t be possible without the support of our investors, mentors, lenders, and CEO board members. Thank you for believing in these students!

05/11/2026

Join us Tuesday morning for the WSCEO Business Expo. Stop by on your way to work and show your support for these young entrepreneurs!
⏰ 7:30 - 9:00 am
📍Melrose American Legion
📅 Tuesday, May 12

05/08/2026

AI is going to be transformative. Whether it’s estimating costs, streamlining processes, or aiding in design, the use of AI will be a time-saving tool. That was one of the many things that Jodi and Mark shared with us on a recent visit to Lumber Co., Inc.. The industry is changing and so is Kraemer Lumber. We learned a lot, including...
- Kraemer excels at ag. and residential construction, building as many as 40 homes a year!
- Saying it’s someone else’s job is just looking to get out of work.
- Every person who works for a business is the face of that business. Represent well!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We appreciate your time and your support of the WSCEO Program!

05/07/2026

Life has a way of taking you places you never expected, and each new stop brings new opportunities. Mark and Heidi didn’t start their careers in insurance. Like many people, they found their way into it over time. Sometimes the right career isn’t the one you planned, it’s the one you discover.
- If you hate what you’re doing, go find something else! Listen to yourself, not other people.
- You build confidence by stepping out of your comfort zone.
- There are tons of careers in insurance. It’s not all about sales! Actuaries, underwriters, and adjusters are all a huge part of the industry.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge about insurance and your career path into the industry!

05/06/2026

The WSCEO Business Expo is on Tuesday, May 12, from 7:30 - 9:00 AM. Stop by the Melrose American Legion and check out these student entrepreneurs and their businesses.