Author Archives: Peaches Avre

ECMC Group Invests in Students’ Futures

BestPrep is proud to partner with ECMC Group, whose commitment to student success brings our mission to life. Through this partnership, ECMC Group connects directly with students — serving as mentors, sharing career insights, and building financial confidence. Since 2017, ECMC Group volunteers have participated each year in BestPrep’s eMentors program, guiding high school students […]


Gabriella Watson: Empowering Leadership Through Minnesota Business Venture

Gabriella Watson, a student from Blaine High School, first attended Minnesota Business Venture (MBV) to strengthen her public speaking and leadership skills. Encouraged by her mother, a professor at the University of St. Thomas, Gabriella viewed the program as an opportunity to contribute her ideas and connect with like-minded people. Her initial experience at MBV […]


Ameriprise Financial: A Legacy of Financial Education and Service

For more than four decades, Ameriprise Financial has been a dedicated supporter of BestPrep’s mission to help students become financially capable and career ready. The partnership began back in 1981, when Doug Lennox, a financial advisor, spoke at BestPrep’s newly-established business camp, Minnesota Business Venture. His presentation, “You Can Be a Millionaire,” encouraged students to […]


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 […]