CEO really changed how I look at business and myself. Coming into it, I already had an interest in selling and making money, but I didn’t fully understand everything that goes into running a business. This program showed me it’s way deeper than that. It’s about consistency, communication, problem solving, and building something people actually trust. One of the biggest things CEO did for me was push me out of my comfort zone. At the beginning, talking in front of people, networking, and even just introducing myself wasn’t easy. But over time, I got way more confident. I can now hold conversations better, present myself professionally, and connect with different types of people. That growth didn’t happen overnight, but it definitely showed throughout the year. My business, Flip It, taught me real responsibility. I had to manage orders, stay organized, communicate with customers, and work with people on prices so it worked for both sides. It made me realize how important customer service and reliability is. If you do people right, they’ll come back and even bring others with them. I also learned that things don’t always go as planned items don’t sell right away or problems come up but you have to adjust, stay patient, and keep going. Another big part of CEO was learning from real business owners and experiences outside the classroom. Hearing their stories showed me that success doesn’t happen instantly. Everyone has setbacks, but consistency and hard work are what separate people in the long run. Overall, CEO helped me become more confident, disciplined, and focused. It gave me real-world experience that you just can’t get from a normal class. Most importantly, it showed me that I’m capable of building something for myself if I stay consistent and keep improving. This program really helped set the foundation for what I want to do moving forward. I, Jace Strickland, am an entrepreneur!