The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, as many would say, is a catalyst for scholarship, service, community and real-life experience. The entrepreneurship program chaired by Kayla Hester is an example of  MSMS helping its students to learn more about life outside of the classroom. This week’s entrepreneurship workshop was presented by Jeff Overstreet.

Kayla Hester said, “This [was] a great opportunity to learn from someone who is very knowledgeable about the financial aspects of starting your own business, both from the perspective of a banker and an entrepreneur.”

Mr. Overstreet is a banker at Citizens National, in the lending department, for about three years. He began his higher education career at Mississippi State as an accounting major but later changed his career field to banking. Overstreet also has experience selling real estate.

Overstreet said, “The Entrepreneurial sector is changing due to technology. It is vital for entrepreneurs to be well versed in technology to be able to expand their product or service.”

The best advice I can give a future banker is to learn everything you can about business, credit, and personal finance. I would suggest reading financial magazines, blogs, and the internet. Experience is everything in banking.

– Jeff Overstreet

Raised in a strong Christian environment, Overstreet was weary of the dangers of money as a child, but over the years he has learned the proper way to manage funds without letting greed get in the way. After collaborating with a college friend, Overstreet opened the a Juva Juice franchise, in Tupelo.

Mari Lampkin said, “I want to own my own mall and Mr. Overstreet gave me some great advice on what I should major in, in college to make my dream come true.”

At the entrepreneurship program Jeff discussed many topics: certificates of deposit, Roth IRA’s, 401k’s, credit scores and money lending methods. The students were warned against the perils of applying for too many credit cards and instilled with the soul crushing knowledge of loan sharks.

Summar McGee mentioned, “This was a very insightful experience. Mr. Overstreet knew a lot about the entrepreneurial side of business that I found interesting.”

The students and Overstreet also discussed “the cost of good sold” (sells, waste, storage, cost of production and theft). After the meeting ended, the students were offered the opportunity to talk with Overstreet about their future entrepreneurial goals.