One of the best parts of experiential learning is watching students begin to see things differently. Yesterday, as we explored downtown O’Fallon, our Silver Creek Area CEO students weren’t just visiting businesses. They were looking at them through the eyes of future entrepreneurs.
We kicked off our morning at Le Ono before splitting into two groups to explore more of downtown O’Fallon. One group visited Boarding House Bistro and Three Sisters Crafts & Gifts, while the other headed to Sweet Katie B’s and Furchild. We all came back together at Peel Wood Fired Pizza, where we enjoyed amazing pizza and involtini and continued the conversations.
As we moved from business to business, I loved seeing what our students were noticing. It wasn’t just the products or services. They were paying attention to the vibe of each location, how lighting and decor created an ambiance, and the experience each business created for its customers.
They also began to recognize something important about entrepreneurship: successful businesses often start by identifying a need, solving a problem, or finding a niche that isn’t already being served.
Each of these businesses brings something unique to the area. Whether it’s a product, a service, or a place people want to gather, the owners saw an opportunity to offer something different and turned that idea into a business.
They also learned that no two entrepreneurial journeys are exactly alike, and no one’s path to entrepreneurship is a straight line. Some ideas start small and grow over time. Others evolve as owners recognize new opportunities or face unexpected challenges. Sometimes the original plan changes completely, but the willingness to adapt, keep learning, and move forward makes all the difference.
Our students got to hear the real stories behind these businesses, including the pivots, the challenges, and the lessons learned along the way. Those are the experiences you simply can’t replicate in a textbook.
And our students came ready with thoughtful questions.
“How do you advertise?”
“With so many different pizza places, how do you make sure that you stand out?”
“How did you come up with the name Three Sisters?”
And one that really gets to the heart of entrepreneurship: “What would you say is your proudest moment within your business?”
The answers gave our students a look behind the scenes. They heard about starting small, keeping overhead manageable, and adapting when challenges like COVID changed the way businesses operated. They learned that success takes persistence, creativity, and a willingness to keep learning.
But one of the biggest takeaways was the importance of collaboration over competition.
When business owners support one another, share ideas, and work together to create a destination people want to visit, the entire community benefits. Their impact extends beyond their own four walls. It reaches the other businesses around them, the people they serve, and the community they help build.
And I couldn’t help thinking about how much that reflects what we’re doing in Silver Creek Area CEO.
We have students from four different high schools who, just two months ago, were mostly strangers to one another. Today, they’re building relationships, learning to trust each other, working through challenges, and building a class business together.
They’re discovering that a successful team isn’t built by everyone doing their own thing. It takes listening, sharing ideas, adapting, and recognizing that each person brings something valuable to the table.
Just like the businesses in downtown O’Fallon, our students are learning that what they can accomplish together is greater than what they can accomplish alone.
This is what community in action looks like. People showing up for one another. Sharing their knowledge. Opening doors. Working through challenges together. And investing in something bigger than themselves.
A BIG thank you to the business owners who welcomed us, answered questions, and generously shared their experiences:
• Talani Moe of Le Ono
• Chrissy Johnson of Boarding House Bistro
• April Barnes of Three Sisters Crafts & Gifts
• Jeana Santos of Sweet Katie B’s
• Julie Hughes of Furchild
• Patrick Thirion and Drew Krause of Peel Wood Fired Pizza
Thank you for opening your doors and giving our students an honest look at the realities of owning and operating a business. The time you invest in sharing what you’ve learned is helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs.
A HUGE thank you to Jon Greenstreet of Downtown District and Debbie Arell-Martinez of O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce for coordinating this wonderful morning and helping bring it all together. And thank you to Shannon Lickenbrock, Silver Creek Area CEO Board Member representing O’Fallon Township High School for joining us and jumping in to help throughout the day. I truly appreciate you!
I’m grateful that Silver Creek Area CEO is surrounded by businesses and leaders across our communities who are willing to share their time, knowledge, and experience with our students.
Our students are learning a whole lot more than entrepreneurship. They’re learning how to become the kind of people who make their communities stronger.
That’s community in action. And that’s what it’s all about.
