Students Invited to Network with Top Chicago Entrepreneur

Four Trinity students were recently invited to attend the Future Founders Building Your Legacy event featuring Pete Kadens, president and chief sales officer of SoCore Energy and one of Chicago’s top entrepreneurs.

On April 8, Tony Dykstra ’18 of Highland, Indiana; Dyvon Melling ’16 of Tipton, Michigan; Ryan Hesslau ’18 of Mokena, Illinois; and Tom Iwema ’18 of Oak Lawn, Illinois, joined 19 other students representing nine Chicagoland colleges and universities.

Students had the opportunity to hear the story of Kadens’ entrepreneurial journey and ask questions. The event also provided an important time of cross-campus collaboration and networking with Kadens and Future Founders peers.

“The overall experience was very informative and encouraging to young individuals who feel the drive to become an entrepreneur,” said Hesslau, a recent recipient of the Future Founders Fellowship and founder of the nonprofit foreverU. “The most important thing I felt Pete Kadens hit on was the importance of humility when starting your own company or organization.

Hesslau said opportunities like the Building Your Legacy event help students gain insight into business in Chicago and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in today’s business world.

“I definitely encourage anyone to take advantage of networking opportunities,” Hesslau said. “It’s amazing to see the doors that can open when pursuing your future as a result of attending these events.”

About Pete Kadens

Kadens co-founded SoCore Energy in 2008. Since then he has transformed SoCore with his team from a startup to a successful multi-million dollar solar business and sold the company in 2013 to Fortune 500 energy holding company Edison International. As president and chief sales officer, he is responsible for overseeing all sales and operations of the business.