Guest Speaker Warren Ouwenga Inspires Kankakee CEO Students
Today, Kankakee CEO students had the privilege of hearing from Warren Ouwenga, a Kankakee County CEO board member and accomplished local businessman. Sharing his inspiring journey, Warren encouraged students to take their dreams and transform them into reality through strategic planning.
Born into a farming family on Chicago's South Side and later relocating to Manteno, where his family continued farming, Warren’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. Always looking ahead, he was a founder of the company Handi-Pak, a company eventually sold to Del Monte, where he later worked. He went on to develop Heartland Harvest, the creators of PopChips, and subsequently opened Urban Farmer, a company renowned for healthier pizzas, including one of the first gluten-free frozen pizzas.
Warren emphasized the importance of planning beyond a business’s launch, urging students to consider its full lifecycle, including transitions, sales, or closures. He also shared valuable insights about equity versus profitability and the differences between strategic and private equity buyers. He offered more sage wisdom on this subject, “Don’t’ make a long-term decision based on short-term conditions.”
Another key takeaway from his talk was the value of customer service and retention. Warren stressed, “The customer you have is more valuable than the ones you don’t have—work hard to keep them.” This principle highlights the importance of fostering loyalty and building strong relationships with existing customers to ensure long-term success.
For students considering corporate roles, Warren advised understanding a company’s purpose and goals to become a more valuable team member. He summarized his advice with three key steps for business success:
✓ Goal / Vision – Know where you want to go.
✓ Operating – Strategize and execute effectively.
✓ Destination – Plan for the future, including the final chapter for your role with the business.
“When starting your business,” Warren said, “don’t just think about the startup—think about the journey.”
Warren’s insights inspired students to think strategically, prioritize customer loyalty, and pursue their dreams with purpose and vision.
1/15/25
