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The CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program, modeled after a successful initiative in Effingham, Illinois, is a transformative educational experience for high school juniors and seniors from the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship. Funded by business investors, the program selects students through a rigorous application process and serves those from both public and private high schools. Meeting for 90 minutes each day, the program offers 2 high school credits and turns area businesses into classrooms. With visits to 30-50 businesses and 30-40 guest speakers each year, students are immersed in real-world business environments, learning critical 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, and communication. Each student starts their own business, receives mentorship from the business community, and showcases their ventures at an annual trade show.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the CEO Program has positively impacted thousands of young people across the United States, fostering entrepreneurial spirits and preparing the future workforce. By partnering with local businesses, the program provides project-based experiences that teach students about business development and processes. "CEO is not just a routine class; it is a class that gives deep meaningful life lessons and completely changes you. It is the foundation of who you want to be and what you want to accomplish," said Delaney Heal, Class of 2015. Devon Wright, a current CEO student, adds, "It is a good feeling because you start connecting all the dots from every experience we encountered to build one big thing. It's amazing how that works."

Quincy, Illinois has seen businesses launch as a result of the CEO program. The Herald-Whig featured a story on Q-Town Kicks, the brainchild of Alex Eckhardt. "I saw an opportunity with the market and took advantage of it. The CEO program opened up my eyes and was the reason I’m able to be in this position today."
Jarid Jones, co-owner of the Experience Quincy building, where Q-Town Kicks will call home, said the CEO program has had a noticeable effect on business-minded individuals in the area.

"The CEO program has been a tremendous driving force for injecting fresh entrepreneurial talent into Quincy," Jones said. “It provides a platform for young individuals like Alex to harness their creativity, develop vital business skills, and ignite their entrepreneurial spirit.”

"Having a space on Maine Street in downtown Quincy is a dream come true," Eckhardt said. "There is a big market for streetwear and sneakers, but there are no places to go and shop for that," he said.

Q-Town Kicks is just one example of companies who have opened as a result of the CEO Program, exemplifying how communities can come together to nurture young entrepreneurs, creating a ripple effect of innovation and success.