The Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence
Hillsdale College has fought to preserve the blessings of learning, character, faith, and freedom for over 175 years. True to this endeavor, we have remained steadfast in championing the free market as the most economically sound means for individuals to provide for their families and communities. Naturally, we are proud that many of our students wish to join the free market as entrepreneurs, and it is our responsibility to prepare them for such an endeavor.
Through a commitment to academic excellence, moral formation, and a free market economy, the Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence (KFIEE) is dedicated to student success in enterprise. KFIEE provides current students with the practical and philosophical training to start businesses guided by the principles of free enterprise and virtuous civic engagement.
KFIEE is open to students of all majors—a business background is not necessary. Because of this, our curriculum begins by focusing on the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. During the first two semesters, fellows are put into groups and challenged to start their own business from scratch. Along with this practical experience, they are also taught how to identify their customer base, research their target market, create a business organization chart, craft a sales pitch, and evaluate business performance. During the third and fourth semesters, fellows delve into a more technical education, learning about e-commerce, online marketing, data analytics, and management strategy. Each fellow graduates from the program after having completed their capstone project: creating a business plan to guide their business in the years after leaving Hillsdale College.
The Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence was founded in 2021 to develop the next generation of character-driven entrepreneurs and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to launch a successful business in the 21st century.
Initiative Highlights
Over the course of the five-semester program, fellows take two business courses, attend a variety of seminars and workshops, and hear from established entrepreneurs through the KFIEE Executive Speaker Series.
Every semester, students will have an opportunity to connect with an industry professional related to their field of interest in their network of mentors.
Entrepreneurs lead taxing lives, often filled with sacrifices and constantly shifting priorities. Fellows will learn to manage these challenges through character development and guidance on leading a well-ordered life as an entrepreneur.
Each KFIEE Fellow will complete a senior capstone project, such as creating and presenting a business plan or pitching their business to a panel of entrepreneurs.
Each year a hand-selected cohort of dedicated fellows will be accepted into the KFIEE. Interested students of all majors are invited to apply – each accepted student will receive $2,000 in scholarship per semester for up to five semesters.
Get Involved
Partner with KFIEE
Not a student? Visit our Partner with KFIEE page to get involved and provide support to KFIEE students.
Connor O’Donohue, ‘28
Major: Economics and Music
Business Idea: Full-service, audio and event coordination for wedding ceremonies and receptions
Joseph Jiang, ‘28
Major: Sociology, Economics minor
Business Idea: Exiso, an AI powered fitness platform
Ike Lindley, ‘28
Major: English
Business Idea: Subscription based interior car cleaning company
Katie Ozog ‘28
Major: Theology
Business Idea: Warrior Weapons Rosaries, artisan paracord rosaries and chaplets
Russel Mangiapane III, ‘28
Major:
Business Idea: Mangiapane Brothers Lawn & Snow
Rylan Conley, ‘28
Major:
Business Idea: Regional live music network
Maggie Schaer, ‘28
Major: Applied Math
Business Idea: To-go oatmeal with optional toppings and add-ins
Makaila Thomas, ‘28
Major: English, Entrepreneurship & Chemistry minor
Business Idea: A natural skincare firm with patented products
Daniel Derengowski, ‘28
Major: Accounting
Business Idea: Bookkeeping and accounting service company
Ianna Chan, ‘28
Major: English, Business minor
Business Idea: Bell Pepper Groceries, a farmers’ market on your phone
Luke Burmeister, ‘27
Major: Psychology
Business Idea: Tech Free Nature Experiences
Eva Bessette, ‘27
Major: Art
Business Idea: PatchesxPlaces
Alex Cho, ‘27
Major: Economics
Business Idea: ChobaBoba Tea
Luke Waters, ‘27
Major: English
Business Idea: Legio XII Fulminata
Trevor Hall ‘27
Major: Physics
Business Idea: Photography & Videography LLC
Hershey Athysivam, ‘27
Major: Politics
Business Idea: Business Casual Fashion Line
Nathaniel Mack, ‘27
Major: Marketing
Business Idea: Digital Marketing Agency
Andriy Pasichnyk, ‘27
Major: Economics
Business Idea: Ad Bellum Digital
Nathan Scoffield, ‘27
Major: Politics
Business Idea: Custom Cabinetry & Trim
Nathaniel Shackelford, ‘27
Major: English
Business Idea: Aeneid the Musical
Abriana Badalamenti, ‘27
Major: Psychology
Business Idea: Special Creations Bakery
Meet Kevin Kehoe
Kevin Kehoe, founder of the Kehoe Family Foundation, passed away on September 30, 2022, after battling Stage 4 cancer since 2014. KFIEE will be forever grateful for his contributions, and our students will certainly find inspiration in both his achievements as an entrepreneur, and his character as a man.
He was the grandson of Irish immigrants and was born in New York City. However, he lived much of his life in Southern California with stops in Florida and Texas. He was the product of Catholic schools, and a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook (BS – 1977), Southern Methodist University (MBA – 1982), and the Thunderbird School of Global Management (MIM – 1983). He began his business and consulting career with Coopers & Lybrand in 1984. In 1993 he started his own consulting firm, Kehoe & Co., where he worked until he founded The Aspire Software Company in 2014. In 2021, he sold that company to ServiceTitan and started the Kehoe Family Foundation.
He was a widely published business writer in his consulting niche, which includes his expertise in Strategic Planning, Organization Behavior, and Sales & Marketing Management. He also published his book, “One Hit Wonder: The Real-Life Adventures of an Average Guy and the Lessons He learned Along the Way”. His hobbies included surfing, motorcycling, and playing golf. Kevin Kehoe is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and his daughter, Julia, who lives and works in St. Louis.