You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

This is true for all three of these entrepreneurs: Michael Brummer, Riley Pruemer, and Brittany Niemerg. While all three offered us different advice and shared varied experiences, none of their paths were linear. They were not afraid to adapt, change their plans, and go after their dreams.

Michael Brummer, owner of the Exchange and 2010 Effingham CEO alumni, shared with us how traveling inspired him to bring back parts of his journey to his small town community. He also spoke about the support given in smaller communities that would be hard to find in bigger cities.

Riley Pruemer, owner of Films by Riley and 2015 Effingham CEO alumni, shared how important it is to explore your passions without fear of failure. If it doesn’t feel right, you can always change direction.

Brittany Niemerg, owner of Britt Jill Marketing, spoke to us about how the sky is the limit if you do not fear rejection and you have the grit, perseverance, and confidence in yourself to keep going.

Lots of life lessons were taken away from these speakers. This was a huge networking experience for our current CEO class.