What drives a college student to break records and lead a six-figure business before graduation? In this episode of the Leaders Across America podcast, Steve Acorn speaks with Ashton Benkert, a junior at Adrian College who shattered Michigan’s rookie production record by running a $180,000 business in his first year with the Young Entrepreneurs Across America (YEAA) program.

 

Ashton shares how his relentless determination, coachability, and focus on building a strong marketing team helped him double the average rookie sales. He opens up about the mindset shifts that fueled his success, the lessons he learned from facing setbacks, and how staying consistent through mental slumps gave him a competitive edge. 

 

Now, Ashton is setting his sights on reaching $250,000 in revenue while mentoring rookie managers to follow in his footsteps. This episode is packed with practical strategies and powerful insights for anyone ready to take on leadership challenges and push beyond their limits. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How determination and being coachable are key drivers of success in the YEAA program

• Why developing and leading a high-performing marketing team is essential for business growth

• How to stay focused and overcome mental roadblocks when challenges arise

• The impact of mentorship and collaboration on personal and professional development

• Why trusting the process is critical to achieving long-term goals

• And much more…

 

Resources

YEAA Website

Leaders Across America