Mentors... It's time!

The Illini Prairie CEO Class of 2025 has successfully finished the fall semester and hosted an entertaining and fruitful Trivia Night a few weekends ago. At this point, the six students (from Arcola High School, Arthur Lovington Atwood-Hammond High School, and Sullivan High School) are focused on their individual business plans. Banker Day, where they will present those plans to a panel of community bankers, will be Thursday, February 13.

The businesses students are planning include:
Photography: portrait, event, corporate
Permanent jewelry
Scented air fresheners
Art: commissioned portraits, crafts
Sugar scrubs and skin care
DJ
Custom resin/acrylic products
Original graphic t-shirts for men
Yes, this group has a completely different range of products and services than last year's group. So, we have approached mentoring a little differently to this point. We have been using "targeted" mentors in the areas of marketing, graphic design, selling at vendor fairs, and entrepreneurs who sell/make similar products.

But, it's time for students to share their ideas with a wider audience and get feedback from a more diverse group of mentors! So, we invite you to our first official Mentor Coffee on Friday, February 14, at Roselens in Arthur. Join us, anytime 7:30-9:00am, and we will buy your coffee!

You can sit down, hear their ideas, maybe help them through any problems that have come up, or simply give them advice based on your experiences. If you can't make it, don't worry! We will be hosting Mentor Coffees twice a month; maybe you can make a future coffee! We would love to have you! Or, if you know of someone with experience related to any of these businesses, who would make a good mentor for our students, feel free to send me their information, or bring them along!