𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓰𝓸 𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓸𝓻𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝓷?

According to entrepreneur, Kristen Pfund…that might be exactly where some of the best learning begins. 💡

Recently, CEO had the opportunity to spend the morning with Kristen, owner of The Ink House and Urban Collective Boutique Hotel, and someone who wears a few other pretty important hats around here as a CEO Board Member, mentor, and incredible supporter of our students!

This visit was extra special because our students got to go behind the scenes of a space they already know very well — their CEO classroom! Kristen generously allows CEO to use her beautiful event space to host guest speakers, CEO events and class work days. They learned more about Kristen’s entrepreneurial journey and what it takes to operate, grow, and continually evolve two unique businesses.

A few lessons that stuck with us:

💡 There is no playbook for life — or for running a business. You’re going to figure some things out as you go.

💡 Be willing to listen. Seek advice, learn from others, and recognize that you don't have to have all the answers.

💡 Build a GREAT team. Surround yourself with people you trust and empower them to succeed.

But perhaps the most important lesson…

**𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐋.**

Things won’t always work. Plans will change. Ideas will fall short. Mistakes will happen.

𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒊𝒕. 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒊𝒕. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒘𝒊𝒏.

Because you have to experience some failures to grow — in entrepreneurship and in life.

A huge THANK YOU to Kristen for sharing her story so openly and honestly, for mentoring our students, serving on our board, and generously opening the doors of The Ink House to give CEO such an incredible place to call “home” throughout the year. ❤️

Kristen Pfund The Ink House Urban Collective Boutique Hotel

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