Andy Webb '17
When Andy Webb ’17 was 14 years old, he got his first glimpse of what it meant to be an entrepreneur by working in his grandpa’s restaurant.
He says the experience taught him lessons that have stayed with him throughout his life. His childhood dream was to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, opening his own business. He envisioned running a food truck that would serve gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, but when the Hammond, Illinois-native came to Illinois College, he discovered a new passion for the finance world.
“In college, I quickly learned the challenges of the entrepreneurial path, and instead, pursued a finance degree! It wasn’t until my senior year in a course called “Real Numbers for Real Banks,” that I realized I wanted to be a commercial banker. This course resonated with me,” said Andy.
Andy graduated cum laude from IC in 2017 with a major in finance and economics and a minor in accounting. In his current role as commercial banking analyst for Busey Bank in Champaign, Illinois, Andy is able to apply what he learned at Illinois College to his work with the kind of small business owners that he has long admired.
“Through my experience with my grandpa, I truly believe small businesses are the backbone of this country. They can either make or break an economy on a local or national scale. Once upon a time someone helped fund my grandpa’s dream, and, although I may never own my own business, I get just as much joy playing a pivotal role in helping someone pursue their dream.”