Spotlight: Faith & Entrepreneurial Business Academy

FEBA, under the guidance of advisor Anne-Marie Lockmyer, just completed its first official year, one in which the program saw more success than even Lockmyer could have imagined or hoped for.

In 2015-16, FEBA maintained 32 members, a number that Lockmyer says will double to 65 for the 2016-17 school year.

FEBA students focus on learning the skills necessary to explore and pursue a career in the business world, all the while incorporating their faith into their career aspirations. They meet with local professionals - including Orange Lutheran alums - to discuss their individual career paths and learn important aspects of the business world.

Lockmyer sat down to speak about the impact that FEBA has had in only its first official year, how faith mixes into the business world, and the future of FEBA:

Q: Why is it important to put an emphasis on faith in our business academy?

A: Our faith should be lived out in EVERYTHING we do. Not just on Sundays. Honoring God and loving people, are the first two rules of business we teach in FEBA – the two greatest commandments. When one makes business decisions based on those, they are doing it God’s way. At times one may lose money living by these standards, but in the long run, they are always more successful.

Q: How does faith mix with business in your eyes?

A: God owns everything. We are just the stewards. This can be a difficult concept as it is completely contrary to the world’s way of doing business. But the students are challenged to be a light for God in whatever position they may hold and by how they do business.

"It truly was an education as to how effective your program is. I did not meet one student that did not respond to me with confidence and great eye contact. I had fun with them! I believe they will ALL do well in whatever they choose to do with their lives. They all believe God is their source of direction and strength." - Gary Huneycutt, Logistics Consultant in Placentia, CA

Q: In your short time with the program, what do you see most kids take away from being involved in FEBA?

A: The students are leaving with practical real world and life skills that are necessary for the future and that few college graduates have - and they are excited about it! Some of our topics include personal finances, debt, investing, taxes, teamwork, design thinking, leadership, networking, goal setting, time management, communication and ethics. Specifically related to business, we cover types of corporations, international business etiquette, marketing, branding, customer service, project management, entrepreneurship, a business plan and they create their own business. They have learned that creating a business is much harder than they thought it would be. One of their favorite activities was a networking mixer with 20 local Christian business professionals. I don’t know who enjoyed it more – the students or the professionals. We have had tremendous support from the business community. Many professionals have been guest speakers or mentors.

Q: How have you seen the FEBA program prepare students for their futures?

A: It definitely prepares them for the future. The students should be sought after, as they will stand out with their skills and positive attitude. They are more confident in the future, as many high school students are feeling very insecure. They tell me they are going to come back years from now and tell me the impact this program has had on their lives.

Q: What is the future of this program? How do you see it expanding in the upcoming years?

A: I hope in the future, FEBA students will have an excellent reputation in the community, at college, and in the workplace. We have doubled in size this first year, so I see it continuing to grow. I don’t specifically have any big plans on the horizon, but I have no doubt God does. He has touched this program and given us immeasurably more than we could imagine. My role is to get out of the way, so God can do what He wants to equip these students and help them discover their own beautiful, unique design. I am just the instrument. This is His program.

"Renewed my faith in the young generation last night. Eager, motivated, respectful, insightful high school juniors and seniors grilled me last night on my career and my faith and those of other entrepreneurs. These kids had it going on. We are in good hands." - Dr. Vicki Harvey, Psychologist in Brea, CA

Aside from gaining real-world knowledge on how to successfully navigate the professional world, as Lockmyer mentioned, students are guided on the path to incorporating their faith with their careers.

“FEBA has not only taught me a wide variety of applicable information and skills, such as personal finance basics and the specific business etiquette of several different countries, but it has also shown me that taking Christian morals and ethics into the professional and entrepreneurial world is a shrewd business decision,” said J.P. Velasquez, the previous year’s FEBA vice president. “Hearing from guest speakers from a range of different fields has given me the opportunity to really explore what career path I would like to take, whether that be in business or not.”

And with the help of FEBA, Velasquez, who has now ascended to FEBA president for the 2016-17 school year, is one of several already dipping their toes into entrepreneurship.

“After completing the second year of the program, another FEBA student and I have started our own company,” Velasquez said. “The knowledge we’ve gained has proven to be extremely valuable to overcoming and avoiding many of the challenges of a start-up. “I’m extremely confident that FEBA is providing me with the tools for a successful future in both my professional and personal life.”

"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for asking me to attend your FEBA event! I was extremely impressed to see such a beneficial and exciting program in the works! It was also inspiring to see how many hard-working, passionate and God-loving students you have in the program!

As a graduate of OLu, it has been quite a while since I have been on campus and now, to see firsthand the excitement of this generation’s students preparing for the next step in life with a plan with reachable goals, was amazing!

If I can assist or mentor any of the students along the way in this path through the curriculum, please let me know!" - Michael Rossi ‘89, Executive Chef at The Ranch in Anaheim, CA