What is your story?

I am a country boy from small town America in Imperial, Nebraska. I became interested in leadership through the FFA Chapter and 4-H Program. Coming to UNL and being a Husker has always been a dream of mine, I just never knew what it entailed. As of now, it has entailed many failures, multiple successes, a lot of business ideas, and Leading AgHorizons as my startup.

What is your business?

Leading AgHorizons’ mission is to ensure the legacy of agriculture through coaching. The type of coaching I would focus on involves the development and building of emotional intelligence and emotional engagement from management to employees in the farm production area. This will improve the workplace culture, increase time efficiency, and lead to success in a more fulfilling way. Eventually, I plan to move into other family businesses, as well as the rural community space as a whole.

Who is your entrepreneurial inspiration OR biggest hero?

Each and every person I have learned from. I cannot limit it to one person. Every time I learn something new about being a leader or improving myself, I get excited. All the leadership conferences I have attended, each entrepreneurial book I have read, and every entrepreneur I have talked to is the reason for my inspiration and I love to meet new people. They are all heroes to me.

What advice would you give to a student starting their entrepreneurial journey?

Find what it is that recharges you and set time aside each week to recharge. This is important because the journey can be draining, intense, fulfilling, and fast moving. Even when things are at a high point, remember to recharge, and even more importantly when things are at a low point. It truly is an entrepreneurial roller-coaster, keep up with the changes by recharging.

What has been your favorite "Engler Experience" to date?

My favorite experience to date is being a teaching assistant for Dave Lambe in 388. I have learned so much about the program, ideas going through the program, and how other people think. I love helping and seeing other people succeed, and I feel that I am giving back to the program when doing so. I had the chance to help realign what 388 is all about, and change the curriculum with Dave.

What has been the biggest hurdle or struggle you've dealt with in your entrepreneurial journey?

Validation. The validation of myself, ideas, and direction. Once I validated that entrepreneurship was for me, I took off like a rocket. I found an idea that lit the fire in my belly and found my direction. This was not always easy. It took much self reflection. A struggle within being validated is the credibility piece, and this is huge for myself and Leading AgHorizons. This will continue to be a hurdle to jump over, but each time I feel more validated and gain more credibility, I celebrate each one of those successes.