Webster Groves Thrive Entrepreneurship Incubator

Today, our Thrive students had the incredible opportunity to visit Metro Transit Public Safety St. Louis Bi-State Development and meet with Melissa Webb, their Director of Security, Media, and Customer Engagement. Melissa shared her expertise on how public transportation plays a crucial role in building strong, connected communities and fostering economic development. During the visit, we got a behind-the-scenes look at Metro’s closed-circuit video system and learned about the significant security updates that have been implemented on platforms and MetroLink trains to ensure rider safety. Riding the MetroLink from Grand to the Illinois side, we saw firsthand how these improvements are making a difference. Public transportation isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s a lifeline for businesses and communities. It connects people to jobs, schools, and opportunities, drives local economies, and reduces traffic and environmental impacts. Metro St. Louis Bi-State Development embodies more than transportation; it’s about development—creating a stronger, more accessible region for everyone. Thank you to Melissa Webb and the Metro team for hosting us and sharing such valuable insights. This experience opened our eyes to how public transit connects us and makes us a community!

The past 2 weeks have been nothing short of inspiring for our Thrive students! We had the incredible opportunity to visit with Natalia Parr, a young entrepreneur making waves in content creation and marketing. Natalia shared her journey, her challenges, and how she’s built her career in the ever-evolving creative space. Her story resonated deeply with our students, showing them how passion, creativity, and hard work can lead to amazing opportunities. Our visit to Coolfire Studios was equally inspiring! It’s always special to connect with Alumni Relations Webster Groves High School, and hearing firsthand about the entertainment industry opened our students’ eyes to the countless career paths available for creatives. Huge thanks to Jeff Keane and his team for making the visit so memorable and giving our students a behind-the-scenes look at what’s possible when you dream big and think outside the box. On top of that, we had our second pitch of the year—another chance for our students to shine. This week’s pitch was generously sponsored by Digital Strike - Targeted Marketing Strike, a long-time supporter of Thrive. Digital Strike’s belief in our mission and their financial sponsorship allow us to give students these incredible real-world experiences. We are so thankful for their partnership and the inspiration they bring to our program! It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do—empowering the next generation of thinkers, creators, and entrepreneurs.

This morning, our Thrive students had an unforgettable experience at St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, exploring the aquarium, taking in the sights from the Wheel, and enjoying lunch at the Soda Fountain. We even got a sneak peek at some of the exciting, top-secret projects in the works! A huge thank you to LHM for all they have done to revitalize Union Station and breathe new life into the heart of St. Louis. Their commitment to bringing people back into our city and turning this historic landmark into a vibrant hub of activity is truly inspiring. For over 15 years, @LHM has been a steadfast partner to Thrive and WGHS, providing invaluable internship opportunities and career growth for our students and alumni. Their dedication to fostering education and supporting the next generation of leaders is a testament to the importance of business-community partnerships. We were especially excited to see Ryan Austin, one of our Alumni Relations Webster Groves High School, working at the welcome station for the aquarium! LHM works hard to develop not only their employees but also the community members they serve. We also had the pleasure of meeting with Brian O'Loughlin, a former WGHS DECA member and marketing student—what a full-circle moment! It was so much fun seeing the joy on our students' faces as they interacted with the animals in the aquarium and embraced learning in such an exciting way. We are forever grateful for LHM's continued support in making these moments possible! Todd Hotaling Amber Lanwermeyer Cameron Schoeffel ?

Thanks, Matt Fagin for spending your morning with us. We are lucky to have you as part of our Thrive family.

Drew Hanlen shared some game-changing wisdom! Prioritizing means zeroing in on one top thing, not juggling multiple tasks. Focus on your next steps to reach your ultimate goal. Break down those big steps into manageable pieces. And remember, where you spend your time matters! Stop kidding yourself by saying you don’t have time for the next step. You do have time—you’re just allocating it to areas that might be less important in the long run. A huge shoutout to Drew for his 16th year of giving back to WGHS by speaking with my students. His wisdom continues to inspire my students to reach their full potential. Let’s crush those goals together!?

I sure do miss Viral Vision from our incubator—keeping up with social media for Thrive has been no small task! Last year, I was truly spoiled by their creativity and professionalism. ?? But, with or without them, here's an update on what's been happening this week in the world of Thrive: Mentor Speed Dating:?? This week, we had the incredible opportunity to "speed date" with mentors, and we’re beyond grateful for those who volunteer their time to guide and support our student entrepreneurs. Friday was Match Day, and the excitement among our teams is palpable. I can’t wait to see the impact these partnerships will have! Rachel Betthauser Grady Phelan Alicia Kasch Claudia S. Robert Heyder, Real Estate and Note Investor Danny Sigman Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities - University of Missouri Extension Conference:?? On Wednesday, I had the honor of speaking at the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in Fulton, MO. It was an inspiring experience connecting with leaders in entrepreneurship education, university innovators, and entrepreneurs. A special shoutout to Saya, who participated in the Youth Marketplace, showcasing a business she and her friends created during Thrive Jr.! I’m thankful for programs that give students the platform to share their ideas and sell their products. Branding with Laura Burns:?? While I was out, Laura Burns stepped in to deliver her famous branding lesson. Our students are now fired up and ready to refine their brand voice and identity. Laura, thank you for being with us from day one and always inspiring us! Expert Help from Tim Wiggins: When one of our student businesses began exploring the beverage industry, we knew we had to reach out to an expert. Enter Tim Wiggins, Co-Owner and Beverage Director at Yellowbelly, Retreat Gastropub, and Lazy Tiger in St. Louis—and a proud Alumni Relations Webster Groves High School! Having former students like Tim return to share their wisdom is truly special. It’s even more exciting to watch our current students jotting down notes and action steps with enthusiasm. I’m constantly reminded that it takes a team to keep this program running. From our school staff to community members, and supporters across the state and nation—I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. Together, we’re making a difference.

This past Monday, we had the opportunity to meet with industry leaders Josh Stigers from New Again Houses (https://lnkd.in/gsikyygG) and Jenn McCormac of Carousel Staging and Interiors (https://lnkd.in/g-EwZ-ep) Josh and Jenn generously shared their journeys in the real estate industry, offering invaluable insights into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Their willingness to be open and vulnerable about their experiences—both the triumphs and challenges—provided our students with a real, unfiltered look at what it takes to succeed in the business world. Hearing firsthand how their winding paths led them to owning their own businesses and franchises was truly inspiring. It’s these authentic, behind-the-scenes stories that truly resonate and make learning come alive for our students. A huge thank you to Josh and Jenn for taking the time to share their stories and wisdom with us. Your openness has undoubtedly made a lasting impact and given our students a clearer vision of the entrepreneurial journey.

We were thrilled to welcome Mr. Eric Benting this morning! Eric brought not only breakfast but also invaluable insight into the world of franchising. As the proud owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Restaurants locations in Sunset Hills and Missouri S&T, Eric is the definition of a servant leader. He’s developed an amazing team of employees and continues to give back to our community, creating spaces where people can eat, laugh, and enjoy each other's company. A humble and compassionate leader who constantly seeks growth, Eric recommends reading Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, Setting the Table, by Danny Meyer, and Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, by S. Truett Cathy for anyone looking to grow in business and life. It looks like we will be add to the Thrive library! We will be sure to stop by and say "hi" (just not on Sundays). ??

Thrive students had the privilege of having a brainstorming session facilitated by Matthew Homann from Filament LLC . If you ever get the chance to work with him, don't miss it! Here are some key takeaways that really stuck with us: 1. Reframe Financial Failures: Instead of dwelling on the negatives, think of financial setbacks as "tuition payments" for your business education. Every mistake is a lesson learned to avoid repeating in the future. 2. Clarify the Conversation: When you're working with your team, be clear about the type of conversation you're having—whether it's Dreaming, Debating, Deciding, or Doing. This simple framework can save time and ensure everyone is on the same page. 3. Progress Over Perfection: Don’t let the pursuit of perfection stand in the way of getting things done. Sometimes, good is good enough to keep things moving forward. If you're interested in innovative ways to enhance your meetings, check out Filament St. Louis: https://lnkd.in/gMvi5GpV After the inspiring session with Matthew Homann from Filament LLC Louis, our team kept the momentum going with a creativity lesson called "Wacky Inventions" from VentureLab, led by our fantastic intern, Abi Daskalakis. Students participated in rapid prototyping with random supplies, brainstorming, inventing, and bringing their ideas to life. It was fun to watch. It’s incredible how a bit of creative exercise can energize a group and foster teamwork. Excited to see what other innovative ideas they'll come up with next!

Harnessing the power of behavior insights! A big thank you to Zach Schaefer for introducing us to the Predictive Index tool, which has been invaluable in enhancing our self-awareness and understanding of one another. We explored the Platinum Rule—treating others the way they want to be treated—contrasting it with the Golden Rule, which focuses more on treating others the way *we* want to be treated. This shift in perspective is crucial for effective management and team dynamics. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of team behavior and improve your business interactions, check out Dr. Z’s services at https://lnkd.in/gESGvkrC.