About Us
The Entrepreneurial Youth Experience
Students in EYE face some of the largest wealth and education gaps in the city of Chicago.1 in 3 CPS students went unaccounted for in 2020 in many of the same neighborhoods we pull from, but not one EYE student is ever left out.
Founded by John Vaile and Bob Muzikowski and co-chaired by Michael Broccolino, the program seeks to provide the young minds of today with the tools to build the world-class businesses of tomorrow. Wyatt Baker and Ike Muzikowski were the original class instructors.
Young entrepreneurs get real hands-on experience, pitch real investors, get real loans and make real money and we get to be a part of their process. They learn from experts around the world about successful brands and business models.
The Month's Events
How does EYE work?
At EYE we combine best practices from academia and business to train the CEO's of tomorrow. Our program affords each entrepreneur the opportunity to critically engage with experts and executives from Chicago's business community and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
We slot in guest speakers to emphasize one of the skills listed in each of the thematic blocks. If the class isn't hosting a speaker or shadowing at a local business, they are expected to work with EYE's program facilitator to accomplish a personal or class-related daily goal. Students work through StrengthsFinders 2.0, resume creation, interviewing and creating a digital profile in addition to building a group business.
The first semester is used to develop student's soft skills and business acumen. During that time, they host a fundraiser in which all revenue will be used as seed money to offset startup costs during the second semester. Each team launches a federally recognized business upon returning from winter break. After students create businesses they are paired with a mentor for the duration of the program that has relevant experience in whichever field the student chooses to pursue.
The class culminates with a trade show and shark tank with students showing off their hard work. The setting provides the perfect venue for like-minded leaders and business to mix and mingle and expand their professional network.
Board Members
Board Highlight
Derek Kruk
Board Members
Derek Kruk (Board Chair)
Trevor Sefcik (Board Co-Chair)
Staunton Peck
Luke Petro
José Nietes
Abe Thompson
Jay Leonard
John Vaile (EYE Founder)
Nick Stone
Maritza Martinez
EYE board members are united by one sentiment -- that we are tired of seeing our beloved city bleed. Chicago's primary problem is economic. The income inequality in Chicago is rampant. Would there be as many deaths in Chicago if those doing the shooting had a good chance at an internship that paid well?
Trevor Sefcik
Jose Nietes
EYE's High-Level Flight Path
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StrengthsFinders test & modules
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Entrepreneurial Pillars: Marketing, Finance, Risk, Fundraising, Idea Generation, Brick and Mortar v Online, Overcoming Objections, Storytelling
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Class fundraiser & group project
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Each team generates a viable business idea by the end of the first semester
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Students are paired with a well-suited mentor
Semester 1
Semester 2
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Live "Shark Tank" presentation in February with high-level business executives
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Students execute on web design, social media and business strategy
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Trade show in April helps students to generate revenue
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Each team executes on their business for the duration of the semester to recoup the program loan
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Continued individual mentoring and team coaching
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EYE graduation occurs in May
At EYE we combine best practices from academia and business to train the CEO's of tomorrow. Our program affords each entrepreneur the opportunity to critically engage with experts and executives from Chicago's business and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Speakers are slotted into our course to emphasize one of the skills listed in each of the thematic blocks. If the class isn't hosting a speaker or shadowing at a local business; they are expected to work with EYE's program facilitator to set their own individual daily agenda regarding what they Hope to accomplish that day.
Students journal throughout the process and write a weekly analysis of how their week went, including a reflection about time management, lessons learned, and areas that need to be improved for the next week.
The first semester is used to develop student's soft skills and business acumen. During that time, they will host a fundraiser in which all revenue will be used as seed money to offset startup costs during the second semester. Each student team launches a federally recognized business upon returning from winter break. After students create businesses they are paired with a mentor for the duration of the program that has relevant experience in whichever field the student chooses to pursue.
The class culminates with a trade show and shark tank with students showing off their hard work. The setting provides the perfect venue for like-minded leaders and business to mix and mingle and expand their professional network.