PERU, ILLINOIS – July 2025 — This Saturday, July 12th, the historic Westclox Event Center in Peru, Illinois will open its doors to hundreds of entrepreneurs, visionaries, and community leaders for The 1% Event, a high-energy business and personal development experience focused on unleashing elite performance and ambition. And one of the most anticipated moments of the day will be a live, on-stage interview with Chicago native John Cerasani — a former corporate employee turned multimillionaire entrepreneur, investor, and host of the popular 2000 Percent Raise podcast.
Unlike most events where speakers stick to polished speeches and rehearsed scripts, Cerasani’s session will be different: a candid, sit-down interview where he’ll pull back the curtain on what it really took to walk away from the 9–5 and build a company from scratch — one he later sold for millions. He’ll also speak on his current role as a venture capitalist with Glencrest Global, where he now funds bold founders building the next wave of innovative startups.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, young professionals, or anyone tired of playing small, it promises to be a powerful conversation.
A Venue Built for Reinvention
The setting for the event — the Westclox Event Center — carries its own symbolism. Once a clock factory dating back to the late 1800s, the space has been reimagined as an industrial-chic venue for modern gatherings. With its exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and sprawling open floor plan, it sets the stage for an event that’s all about evolution, grit, and rising to the occasion.
The 1% Event, produced by Project Future First — a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth through entrepreneurial exposure — was intentionally designed to fuse inspiration with execution. Attendees won’t just hear from successful people; they’ll engage with battle-tested builders who’ve walked the path, made the mistakes, and still came out on top.
John Cerasani’s Journey: From Employee to Investor
Cerasani’s rise is a story that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a system that didn’t reward their ambition. After years in the corporate world, he left it behind to launch his first business from — quite literally — his kitchen table. That company grew rapidly and was ultimately sold to private equity for a life-changing sum.
But for Cerasani, the exit wasn’t the end — it was the beginning of a new chapter. He went on to launch Glencrest Global, a venture capital firm that now backs promising companies in sectors like tech, consumer goods, and digital media. Alongside that, he launched his podcast 2000 Percent Raise, where he interviews founders, athletes, and public figures on the mindset required to shatter expectations and reinvent oneself.
At the 1% Event, his live interview will explore:
- How he broke out of the employee mindset
- The untold story behind building and selling his first company
- What he looks for when investing in founders today
- Why most people settle far below their potential
- And how anyone — regardless of background — can rise into the top 1%
The goal isn’t to inspire through hype, but to equip through truth.
A Free Event With a Powerful Mission
While most conferences of this scale carry steep price tags, The 1% Event is completely free to attend — thanks to generous sponsors and donors who believe in the mission of Project Future First. The organization works year-round to expose at-risk youth to mentors, business education, and opportunities that most never get to see.
Cerasani’s presence underscores that mission. His own background — growing up in the Midwest, rising through corporate ranks, then betting on himself — proves that success isn’t reserved for Silicon Valley tech stars or Ivy League graduates.
The event will also feature speakers from various industries, including real estate, sales, digital branding, content creation, investing, and public speaking. These individuals won’t be handing out theory — they’ll be sharing their real-world playbooks on scaling companies, overcoming doubt, and pushing through resistance to break into the top 1% of their fields.
Who Should Attend?
The 1% Event is designed for:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs
- Small business owners
- Sales professionals
- Creators and marketers
- Young adults seeking mentorship
- Anyone hungry for personal and financial growth
Whether you’re just starting out or already scaling, the event ensures to deliver both actionable strategy and raw insight.
Don’t Miss It
For those in Illinois or surrounding states, this is a rare opportunity to hear from a venture capitalist who’s been in the trenches and made it out with a blueprint. John Cerasani doesn’t hold back — and his live interview is expected to be one of the most memorable moments of the entire event.
And if history is any indicator, attendees will leave not just inspired — but ready to execute.
Event Details:
- What: The 1% Event — A free, one-day business and mindset experience
- Who’s Featured: John Cerasani (interview), plus a lineup of top entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders
- When: Saturday, July 12th, 2025
- Where: Westclox Event Center, Peru, Illinois
- Cost: Free with RSVP
- RSVP Site: www.projectfuturefirst.com/illinois
Whether you’re chasing a business dream, trying to break free from the 9–5, or looking to reset your trajectory entirely, this weekend in Peru might be your spark.
