Author Archives: Peaches Avre

Highland Park Senior High: Preparing Students for the Future with BestPrep 

Highland Park Senior High School has been an engaged and enthusiastic partner of BestPrep since 2002, giving students meaningful opportunities to build real-world skills and explore their futures. Through this long-standing partnership, Highland Park has become a model for how schools can integrate career and college readiness into the classroom in engaging and impactful ways. […]


Securian Financial: A Steadfast Partner in Empowering Minnesota Youth

For nearly 40 years, Securian Financial has been a committed and significant partner of BestPrep, supporting the organization through generous financial contributions, dedicated volunteerism, and board leadership. Their longstanding partnership has helped thousands of Minnesota students gain valuable skills in business, career readiness, and financial literacy. Securian’s involvement spans decades and includes distinguished board service. […]


Leading with Purpose: Folake Olusesi’s MBV Experience

[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 […]


Ecolab: A Founding Partner with Lasting Impact

Ecolab has been a cornerstone of our mission to equip Minnesota students with essential career and financial literacy skills since BestPrep was founded. In 1976, their commitment began with then-CEO E.B. Osborne, who supported the establishment of the organization that would become BestPrep through leadership and funding. Bill Podas, VP at Ecolab, served on our […]


Minnesota Business Venture Week 1 2025 – Empowerment Day

It’s Empowerment Day at Minnesota Business Venture (MBV)! Thank you to The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation for being today’s sponsor. Many exciting events happened throughout the day, including business presentations, two engaging speakers, a competition called Minute-to-Win-It, and a dance! The opening presentation was made by Eric Forstrom, Product Strategy and Operations Executive from […]


Minnesota Business Venture Week 1 2025 – Entrepreneurship Day

We made it to Day 3 here at Minnesota Business Venture! Today’s theme is Entrepreneur Day! A special thanks to our sponsor, Cargill, for making today possible! Students started with mock interviews and our very own Career Expo; designed to enhance collaboration and career readiness while putting their skills to the test. The expo provided […]


BestPrep Students Receive VOYA’s $10,000 Scholarship

BestPrep is excited to share that two alumni of our Minnesota Business Venture program, Bezawit Leykun and Mercy Ncube, have been selected as Voya Scholars for 2025. These two students are among only five selected nationally for this honor. As Voya Scholars, each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship as well as professional development opportunities […]