LITTLEFORK — Larry Keep, owner of Keep Enterprises in International Falls, told freshmen at Littlefork-Big Falls High School that responsibility is the key to success in the business world.
Keep shared his story Thursday as part of the local “CEOs in the Classroom” program, which brings local company chief executive officers, managers, business owners, and people with various leadership careers into classrooms at the Falls, Littlefork-Big Falls and Indus schools.
The program is in its first year and is the brainchild of officials from the International Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training. It is designed to teach students the importance of planning and thinking ahead to secure a good future, with the ultimate goal of nurturing a healthy work force environment.
Keep explained to the students that his company owns and operates Forestland Sales and Service, Rainy Lake Oil, Pelican Bay Foods in Orr, and several residential and commercial rental properties.
As a graduate of L-BF High School, Keep told students Thursday he worked hard to get where he is today and associated himself with people who had similar goals.
“I made sure I surrounded myself with people who also wanted to excel in life,” Keep told the group. “You will get good drive, feedback off other people.”
Keep took an interest in the group by asking who currently had a job and what some students thought they wanted to do with their lives. He offered suggestions like taking college classes during high school when possible, and try to “get one step ahead.”
“If you know what you want to do with your life, make an effort to get one step ahead of the crowd,” he explained.
Keep pointed out qualities he looks for when hiring employees. He also said students should choose a career path in a field that fits them.
He noted, “If you’re doing work that you like and that matches your personality, you’ll be happy going to work everyday.”
