🍕 𝑨 𝑺𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏! 🍕

This week, CEO had the opportunity to visit Pantera's Pizza and hear from owner Jack Tolliver about what it really takes to run—and grow—a well-loved local business.

From its roots as a neighborhood favorite known for its signature thin crust pizza and laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, Pantera’s has built a reputation as a true staple in the Edwardsville community.

Jack gave our students a behind-the-scenes look at:

🍕 Acquiring an existing business – stepping into something established and making it your own
🍕 The realities of the restaurant industry – fast-paced, ever-changing, and built on consistency
🍕 Balancing innovation with tradition – keeping up with the times while honoring what customers know and love

One of the biggest takeaways?

👉 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙘𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚.

Thank you, Jack, for sharing your story, your insights, and for continuing to invest in our community. We are grateful for the time, knowledge, and insight! 👏