The CEO Class of 2026 kicked off the new year with one of our favorite milestones… 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚!

Over the past several weeks, students have moved from 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨 → 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 → 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 → 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, learning that the best businesses are built with their customers, not just for them. Today was all about taking the next courageous step: 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆𝒔.

Students presented everything from:
• food samples and physical products
• service concepts and process demonstrations
• digital mock-ups, photos, and videos
• early branding and marketing ideas

The room was buzzing — not because everything was perfect, but because students were brave enough to 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. They received thoughtful feedback from peers, our CEO Board members and a special surprise guest, their entrepreneurial mentor, Doug Villhard! Thanks to the feedback, students left with clearer direction and renewed momentum.

What an inspiring way to launch into second semester. These students are building real businesses — and we can’t wait to see where they take them next.