[Folake Olusesi (second from the left) with her co-CEO and RBLs.]
Folake Olusesi, a senior at Robbinsdale Cooper High School, volunteered as one of Minnesota Business Venture’s (MBV) student CEOs at camp this past summer. CEOs are student leaders who return to MBV to lead small teams of campers, called “companies,” as they develop a business plan, engage in teambuilding activities, and ultimately present their business plan to a panel of judges.
Folake initially attended MBV in 2024 for something to do for the summer. She was able to participate at no cost and ended up loving the experience — largely thanks to the student CEO who led her group. Inspired to give back, she returned the following year as a CEO. Reflecting on that experience, she shared, “I am proud to say that the students I was able to lead had a great experience.”
She went on to say, “I learned that letting people grow and gravitate towards each other goes a long way. And that leading a group is a lot of letting them do what they see fits them best but always make yourself a resource for them in several ways.”
Folake plans to pursue a career in engineering and noted that MBV opened her eyes to the many pathways Minnesota’s business community offers that field. Staying overnight on the University of St. Thomas campus also led her to consider studying business there with the aim of becoming an entrepreneur.
When asked what she would say to students who are thinking about attending MBV, she said, “Just do it. You are bound to have a great experience with great student leaders. There is also good information to gain from this program even if you are not interested in business. The camp focuses on more than that, which creates a space for everyone.”