“Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions”: Maxine Clark Inspires McKendree Students
When Build-A-Bear Workshop® was in its early stages, a young girl looked at a golden cat plushie and said it looked like macaroni and cheese. Maxine thought initially that was good because, well, who doesn’t like mac ‘n’ cheese? However, to her surprise, the girl replied, “No, you can’t eat your cat!” Maxine listened to her candid feedback and chose to tweak the product, which turned out to become one of the brand’s top sellers. More importantly, it underscored something that Maxine has believed throughout her entire career: listen to the customers, especially children.
On Thursday, September 25, students, faculty, and staff at McKendree University had the opportunity to listen to and speak with the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop® during her visit to campus for the 2025 Lanter Lecture. But what they took away wasn’t just business advice or career tips – it was a reminder that staying curious, asking good questions, and embracing the unknown can lead to extraordinary things.
Following an Unexpected Trail to Success
Before sharing her stories with the audience gathered at the Hett that afternoon, Maxine sat down with various groups of students in the classroom. There, she reflected on her early years as a journalism student at the University of Georgia, the unexpected pivot she made from law school to retail, and the guiding values that took her career to unpredicted heights with the founding of Build-A-Bear Workshop®.
Her message to students was clear: stay curious, stay connected, and stay open to opportunity.
“Wherever you are, you are meant to be,” she said. “Make the most of your time here and meet as many people as you can. Ask questions, even if you think you should already know the answer.”
Maxine encouraged students to take full advantage of their time at McKendree University, including building relationships across generations, investing in the alumni network, and being actively involved in their campus and local communities.
Letting “Yes” Be Your Guide
Throughout her visit, Maxine drew connections between her personal journey and the broader responsibilities of business and civic life. Raised by hardworking, first-generation American parents, Maxine shared how early exposure to public service fueled her lifelong commitment to inclusion and social impact.
That sense of purpose later shaped her vision for Build-A-Bear, which she launched at the age of 48 after a chance shopping trip with two neighborhood children in search of the ever-popular Beanie Babies. What started as a playful idea has since grown into a global brand, with a foundation built on kindness, creativity, connection, and the willingness to say “yes.”
“Our operating manual was, ‘yes,’” she told the students. “You’ll learn something new from every interaction you have. When you say ‘yes,’ it can be a way to lead to a new business idea.”
This willingness to say “yes” is a concept that McKendree University President Dan Dobbins strongly endorses as he guides the McKendree community in finding a “pathway to ‘yes’” for the betterment of its students and their future. You can see echoes of that “yes” throughout campus in the creation of its unique programs, its Clear Path initiative, and in the willingness of faculty and staff to eagerly guide and mentor those who call McKendree home.
Being Part of a Village
During the Lanter Lecture, Maxine frequently centered on themes that McKendree University holds closely in its mission: equity, engagement with community, lifelong learning, a commitment to responsible citizenship, and an openness to new ideas. She challenged students to find their place in their communities and to consider how they want to serve others, even now as students.
“It takes a village to raise a bear, a student, a university,” she said. “Your village needs you. So, what part do you want to play in it?”
She also addressed questions from students about leadership, philanthropy, and how to build momentum behind causes they care about. Through it all, she expressed that students don’t need to have a lot of money or resources to make a difference; they just need to care and use their talents to see change happen.
“There is no better gift than giving back to those who already gave to you. You don’t have to have much – you just have to care,” she explained.
Kindness and Positivity: The Keys to Success
Maxine’s visit showed that success can come in many unexpected ways and at any age. She also stressed that students should take the opportunities presented to them each day while they’re at college to learn what they can, to enjoy their time at McKendree, to ask questions, and – as soon as they’ve graduated – to join the Alumni Association.
However, perhaps the most profound piece of advice Maxine gave the students was to put their hearts into whatever they choose to do, and to not let money dictate what they can and cannot do.
“Build yourself a pathway that is built on positivity and kindness. Since the pandemic, I think we’ve forgotten a lot of those kindnesses. It’s a little corny, but we need corny these days,” she said. “Don’t be let money constrain you – instead, let the limits of your dreams and imagination be what constrain you.”
