If we had to name a Mr. CEO in the Metro East area, Marc Voegele, Owner of Express Employment Professionals would have to be at the top of the list. Marc is foundational to help bring these programs to our area, and still active as a board member or board chair in Gateway CEO along with Edwardsville, Riverbend, Granite City and Silver Creek programs. As he said, he drank the CEO kool-aid and his commitment shows that!
Marc stopped in to share real life with our students this past week. Marc grew up in Granite City, the oldest of 5 siblings and is a graduate of Granite City High School. He was active on the debate team and soccer teams during his high school years. He went on to study Political Science and American History in college. After graduating, he navigated several years selling different types of insurance before landing within a sales role in the steel industry, eventually owning and an establish restaurant for a brief period and now is owner of two locations with Express Employment Professionals. Through all of the ups and downs, he also has two children and many bonus kids that Marc and his wife Diana impacted along the way! This is a lot of life and he definitely had so many nuggets of wisdom that he learned along the way that he shared with our students. Here are some highlights from this impactful morning!
- Debate Team - taught him how to gather evidence and gauge what's true and not true. He encouraged students to really pursue how to think and investigate what's happening in today's world with fragmented media, social media platforms and influence around them.
- Soccer times - good times that always are teaching you! May not have been the best player, but can always outwork anyone. Soccer taught the huge importance of being a team player. When you get kicked if life, you have to have the resilience to get back up!
- Be a student of your craft. If you are not improving, you are failing.
- Even when building relationships over the phone, you can know if they are leaning in by their words, response, inflection and engagement.
- Learn the art of asking open ended questions. It's a skill that will always help you learn about others.
- No simply means no. In sales, you always keep going. Pleasantly persistent can pay off big time in the end.
- Partnership in business -- BE Selective.
- If someone has wronged you, don't hold that poison inside. Learn to forgive and move forward.
- Every job, opportunity and experience sets you up for what is next! Don't ever take the small learnings or task for granted.
- As a small business owner, you have the opportunity to influence others and help provide a life when positive culture is created in your company.
- Strongly encourage a code of honor for your business/employees and spend time on Dream Boards! Build a culture where staff will work for the culture, vs the money.
- Be aligned with the right people. It will always make the difference and push you forward.
- Networking - Go make friends and building relationships.
- Giving of your time, talents and resources is so important!
- With all this business experience, Marc's biggest/favorite achievement revolves around raising his kids and his 'bonus' kids!
- Best advice in life --- just don't ever quit!!
Thank you Marc for giving to our program and every CEO program in the area. Your passion to help the next generation is remarkable. We appreciate you!
