After a nearly a school year full of learning the ins and outs of the business world, students in the Daviess County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities or CEO class are putting the finishing touches on their own businesses. The fruits of dozens of hours of work will culminate during the annual CEO Trade Show May 11 at the Eastside Park Community Building.

Over the last few months, students have been tasked with creating and executing a business plan. The public will have a chance to learn more about the projects the young entrepreneurs have created and, in some cases, even take home some of the student’s creations.

Meet Daviess County’s young entrepreneurs

Kaelyn Klopfenstein said she’s always loved going to Bath and Body Works and smelling all the soaps. It was that love of sweet smelling body products that inspired her to create Cadenza Soap Company.

“I sell foaming hand soap in a variety of scents including chai tea latte, ocean air, apple pie, clothesline and orange grove,” said Klopfenstein, who said she makes her own soaps. “My soap avoids harsh dyes and includes ingredients to promote a better, healthier lifestyle.”

Kaden Boyd has always enjoyed fishing but that’s only part of the reason he decided to form Boyd’s Bait, a business selling both live and artificial bait.

“The idea of a fishing bait business came into my head after our instructor, Mr. Bill Turner, showed us an article about someone using crickets in their business,” said Boyd. “Something I also noticed was that we have several ponds and lakes in this area. To market my products, I add that my bait will help my customers catch the big fish. When you fish and catch them, you likely aren’t going to want to catch the small ones. You want the large ones.”

If it’s something sweet you’re looking for, Madigan Graber’s Maisy’s Macarons may hit the spot.

“The macarons are available in lemon, lavender, raspberry and vanilla,” said Graber who said she decided to try to market the sweet treats after she realized how much she enjoys making them. “We will also take orders for custom flavors.”

Jenna Gray’s inspiration for her business, Bean Sprouts, was her great-grandmother.

“She would make these crocheted baby blankets that everyone loved,” said Gray, who said she will be selling the blankets in four colors. “Each one includes a tag that says,’With Love Grandma D.’”

Catherine’s Cakery will feature sweet treats including cake balls and cupcakes made by Catherine Bassler. She will also take orders for treats for those with dietary restrictions.

“We have a lot of people in my family with dietary restrictions and my mom was always so good about trying to meet those needs for everyone,” said Bassler.

After realizing between their two families, they had all the supplies they needed, Brandon Trillo and Brock Craney joined forces to create B&B Boardz.

“We are the only partnership in the class,” said Craney.

The partners create everything from wood signs and shelving to other home decor items.

“We take custom orders too,” said Trillo.

Shaylee Truelove has always loved having a sweet smelling home. In fact, she’s been making her own soy wax melts for quite some time now. Wanting to share her scents with the community, she’s launched Waxxy.

“I manufacture soy melts and have 10 scents to choose from right now,” said Truelove.

Wanting to merge two cultures together, Paloma Atilano has started Beautiful Acts, a business that sells a authentic Mexican jewelry.

“Half of the profits will go back to the community where the jewelry is made. They have a very high poverty rate there,” said Atilano, who said the jewelry, made of small, colorful glass beads, is crafted by indigenous Mexicans. “It’s better to give than to receive.”

Brooklyn Fuhs also hopes to give back through her business, One Life.

“We make coin and spoon jewelry,” said Fuhs, who said the business is a family affair and her brother and father help craft the items. “Part of the money goes to help fight child trafficking.”

After winning an escape the woods challenge with one of his mentors, Michael Tuttle decided others may be interested in being a bit more prepared. Now, he’s started GT Survival and is selling a variety of survival kits.

“We have college, car and inner city survival kits as well as several others,” said Tuttle, who will be taking orders for the kits.

Noah Durnil learned after many of his friends on the bus needed something to charge their devices, he might have a good idea for a business. He’s now launched Port-A-Juicy, a business that provides custom portable chargers.

“We do custom portable chargers for booster clubs and other groups to sell,” said Durnil who said individuals can also purchase the chargers.

Inspired by her home in Italy, Emma Viola, just couldn’t find Italian treats like she’s used to in her native country.

“I wanted people to be able to try real Italian food,” said Viola. “It’s not like Fazoli’s or Olive Garden. That’s Amore will offer Italian pastries I will make using one of my grandmother’s recipes.”

Getting the opportunity to work alongside her father, Emily Fields has started Home DeCork.

“I specialize in personalized and stylish cork boards,” said Fields, who said she hopes to make the corkboard a popular and stylish choice again.

If it’s homemade vanilla extract you’re looking for, Maggie Burks can help. Her business, Pure and Simple, markets made from scratch vanilla extract.

“My mom was making the vanilla extract as Christmas gifts and it proved to be quite popular,” said Burks.

For years, Grant Davis has enjoyed eating Cajun cuisine cooked up by his mother who is from Louisiana. Now, he’s sharing gumbo, crawfish casserole and jambalaya with others.

“My mom has been making these dishes for a long time and I just wanted to be able to share some of her specialties with others,” said Davis who has named his business Bubba Grant’s.

Makayla Kavanaugh wanted more organic beauty products. Not satisfied with the selection available, she’s now created her own line called Bee-u-tiful Beauty Products.

“I have a variety of beauty products available that are organic,” said Kavanaugh.

Many students will have products available for purchase at the Trade Show. Students will be able to accept cash or check for purchases.

If you go...

What: Daviess County CEO Trade Show featuring student businesses

When: May 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Eastside Park Community Building

Admission is free but bring cash to bring home some goodies.