Experience CEO Day!

This morning was not only a fantastic business visit with Brad Short, owner of multiple McDonald's locations and a valued program investor, but also an opportunity to welcome prospective students from Goreville High School and Vienna High School to experience CEO firsthand.

Brad shared his entrepreneurial journey, which began 20 years ago with a single location. Through long hours, persistence, and seizing opportunities as they arose, he has grown to seven locations across Southern Illinois and Missouri. Today, Brad operates more in a CEO role, supported by trusted team members who manage day-to-day operations. He emphasized the importance of building a strong professional network, including an accountant, attorney, and marketing consultants, to support business growth.

Students also gained valuable insight into the financial side of entrepreneurship, learning how Brad reviews daily financial reports to monitor performance across locations and how he strategically manages debt to balance growth with financial responsibility.

When asked what advice he would give current CEO students as they launch their individual businesses, Brad shared this wisdom: “Make sure the juice is worth squeezing,” reminding students to ensure their business ideas are both feasible and worthwhile.

We are grateful to Brad for investing his time, knowledge, and encouragement into the next generation of entrepreneurs!

#CEOProgram #Entrepreneurship #StudentOpportunities #BusinessLeadership #FinancialLiteracy #FutureLeaders #CommunityPartnerships #ExperientialLearning