Full Circle at Union County CEO
Recently, we were able to welcome 2016 UCCEO alum Samantha Smith back to our program! π Samantha was part of the very first Union County CEO team, and she was joined by Evelyn Rider Bailey, the program's very first Facilitator. Our young professionals gathered at the Union County Farm Bureau office to hear her story. Seeing the two of them together, still connected by a shared love of travel, adventure, and curiosity βοΈπ, was a beautiful reminder of how far this program has come and of the people who built it.
Samantha spoke openly about her journey, the struggles and setbacks along with the triumphs. πͺ She shared how she and her business partner built their company from the ground up, kept going through closed doors, plenty of "no's," and even the challenges of COVID, and grew it into a thriving business. Today, Samantha calls New York City home π½, and her work takes her to major events in several states across the country. For our team members, seeing a young woman from Cobden, Illinois, make that kind of journey was powerful proof that great things can come from our own community. π
Some of the lessons our future leaders carried away:
β¨ Live by two simple rules: be kind and be curious.
β¨ Trust is hard to regain once it's lost, so guard it carefully.
β¨ Listen and learn from criticism, but don't let others walk over you.
β¨ Don't limit yourself to one path. Stay open to what the world has to offer.
β¨ Treat everyone with excellent manners and kindness, go beyond the bare minimum, and leave every place better than you found it.
One young professional shared that Samantha's story "lit a fire" π₯ to explore new possibilities, and several were moved by how she and her business partner put their values ahead of their work, choosing to do the right thing even when it would be easier to let someone else handle it.
Evelyn also led a short lesson on personal capital and reputation π€, reminding our team that the trust people place in you can shape the success of both your business and your relationships. She also passed along the board's feedback from the previous day's business proposal presentation, and our young entrepreneurs were thrilled to hear how impressed the board was! π Her encouragement and belief in each of them shone through, and the team agreed she is one of their biggest cheerleaders! π£
Thank you, Samantha, for coming home to share your story with honesty and heart, and thank you, Evelyn, for laying the foundation of this program and continuing to champion every team that follows. A special thank-you as well to the Union County Farm Bureau for hosting us! β€οΈ
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