PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights High School business teacher Dave Cloud works hard to educate his students, and he knows many of them will learn even more when they hear from people operating a business.

Cloud brought in one of his former students, Ryan Squires, a business owner and entrepreneur, to speak with students about some realities they will face should they decide to pursue careers in business.

His message is clear: People should be prepared to pivot, because business circumstances can change in an instant.

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Squires, 30, a 2006 Pendleton Heights graduate, has an unconventional yet successful business story to tell.

He originally went to Ball State University to study business management but left to join his father, helping him with his retail bowling equipment business. He worked part-time, chasing a dream to become a businessman in the bowling industry.

Squires earned enough money to purchase his own bowling center in 2014, but after a fire in 2015, he didn’t have the funds to open it.

Since then, Squires went on to own his own consulting company — GW Media — and is the owner and operator of Hollmark Shoes (bowling shoes) along with being a podcast host and video log host.

Squires’ message focused on turning a passion into a business and never giving up on an idea, even when one business dream dies.

One of the biggest things he learned was people don’t have to have lots of money to be in business, but they do need knowledge of the field they are interested in.

“I was brought in to consult with several businesses because of my knowledge, and I traded my knowledge for a large share in the company,” he said.

Cloud thought Squires’ message to the students went very well.

“Ryan is a lot closer in age to the students than they might normally see,” Cloud said. “His story, I believe, did resonate with a number of the students.”

Having Squires be able to point to the exact spot where he drove home the point that he was no different from who they are now was good for the students to hear.

The fact Squires has faced failure and was able to pick himself up and keep moving was one of the most poignant parts of his presentation.

“He did not fall on top of the hill but has had to scramble up it, more than once,” Cloud said.

That’s a great lesson for young business students to learn, he said.

Squires’ emphasis on how friends and family have buoyed him up during tough times was also a good lesson for the students to hear, Cloud said.

Part of Squires’ consulting work is helping business owners develop and build their social media brand and message via the same principles that have propelled him in his own business, he said.

“People can make it in multiple avenues,” Squires said. “It’s doesn’t have to be just one business or one element or aspect of a business.”

Squires encouraged the students to find their strengths and passion and then pursue their dream to become the best in their field.

“If you have a specialty in anything, you’ll always be in demand,” he said.