•September 30, 2015•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

The seven children of John and Frances Schultz of Teutopolis-Effingham in south-central Illinois are remarkable missionaries of entrepreneurialism.

Now in their 50s or just beyond, the four girls and three boys are all well-educated, successful, and committed to the Effingham area, where all but one live.

Each has at least two college degrees, including engineering, law and MBA sheepskins from Harvard, Northwestern, the University of Illinois and other top schools.

Without exception, each has started and/or owned his or her own prospering businesses.

These include a national industrial site development company (Jack), a medical equipment outsourcing company with national reach (Ann), a private equity firm (Jim), and a building company (Bob), among others successes.

And the Schultz family gives back to its community, as driving forces and board chairs or members of three foundations and too-many-to-mention civic and do-good causes.

Are there any lessons we can learn from this brood? I think so.

First, they had a great start. Patriarch John, now deceased, operated a successful seed business and invested wisely from tiny Teutopolis (or German Town; theirs is German territory).     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.