Who We Are

“Mail Truck”…Los Angeles…1997

Chet Gunhus met Lisa Records in 1997 at a film and TV networking group for people from Nebraska…or who have worked in Nebraska…or who have flown over Nebraska . Chet says, “It was love at first sight for me. Lisa though…I almost blew it with her. A number of times.” Chet and Lisa were both actors in Los Angeles. Getting nibbles of work here and there (Lisa’s claim to fame is that she is the “Mail Truck” voice from the original EarthLink e-mail system), but never enough to afford a mortgage or raise a family. Always on the look out for supplemental money to support their acting ‘habit’, they bounced between waiting tables, odd jobs and working on their craft by doing theatre (for free), voice over work (mostly for free), and some movies and TV/commercial gigs.

Chet was in a church choir and a baritone in the choir, who owned an after school enrichment company, approached Chet. [ paraphrasing ] “Chet, you’re an actor. You must need money. Want to do some cold calling for me?” Chet replied, “Yes…and yes.”

The Natural

Chet says, “One day, the owner asked me if I played basketball. I said yes and he gave me a bag of basketballs and asked me to go coach a basketball class in an hour at his daughters’ school. I’d played basketball and still played in pick up games, but I had never coached or taught anything before. I’d always play with my young nephews and nieces during holidays, but never had any formal training in coaching or education. I was so nervous on the drive to that class, but I had been taking improv classes at the Groundlings in Los Angeles and thought I could improv my way through the class. It went great. It was so natural to work with the kids. I fed off of their youthful exuberance and they fed off my goofy, over the top, energy. It was a great class. I started teaching more and more classes. Chess, magic, art, more sports, even cheerleading, and an American Girls class. Working with kids seemed so natural to me.”

At the same time, the owner needed more help in the office and gave Chet more and more responsibility. Lisa joined in the office and handled the book work and organizational elements while Chet handled teacher hiring, scheduling, and management.

The Drumbeat

On New Year’s Eve in 1999, Chet proposed to Lisa and she said yes. Nine months later they were married. In 2003, they started a family, and that changed everything. Chet says,”Once we had our first child, I started hearing a constant drum beat in my head, ‘Go to Minnesota. Open your own business. Go to Minnesota. Open your own business.’ Honestly, it caused a lot of anxiety. It was always there. Always hounding me. When we went to Minneosta to visit my family for Christmas that year, we knew. It was time to move back to the Minnesota.”

What a Blessing

Chet and Lisa opened Youth Enrichment League in 2004 to bring the highest quality enrichment classes to schools throughout Minnesota. Chet says, “We were welcomed to Minnesota with open arms. My first meeting was with Eden Prairie Community Education…I was 30 minutes late [do as I say, not as I do], but they still met me. They liked what I said and offered our programs in all four of their schools (Thank you, Peggy and Patti!!). By the end of our first year, we were in 30 schools. By the end of our fourth year, we were working in over 100 schools.” Lisa handled the finances, Chet handled hiring and scheduling teachers, as well as sales.

Chet says, “We were so blessed to be welcomed by so many communities. And our teachers were amazing. We couldn’t have done anything without awesome teachers who were so dedicated to helping us bring unique enrichment programming to schools. We’ve had lawyers, former NBA players, Miss North Dakota, National Master chess players, former Russian chess champions, Olympic Fencing Coaches and more who have been an blessing to everything we’ve done. It’s humbling. It’s truly humbling.”

Youth Enrichment League now operates in 500+ schools in multiple states. They have added new curriculum, new schools, new markets, and great teachers every year.

Chet says, “I just get on my knees and thank God for what He has done for Lisa and I, and our family. Anyone who knows me from my youth (or now, for that matter) knows that this wouldn’t happen without God’s help. And that’s the way God works. He proves His good works through those who are less equipped, but answer the call. Then He reveals the answers to us in His time.”

Franchising

Youth Enrichment League is excited to be franchising and all of their staff is working hard to make the {YEL!} brand and systems as robust as possible for those who wish to join us. We have big goals and big dreams. Maybe you do too.