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Back in September, I was invited to join Charlie Walker’s Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) podcast, which gives entrepreneurs the chance to discuss their accomplishments and dreams. I’ve never considered myself an entrepreneur. First, I don’t know how to spell it. Second, as a former poet, calling this one myself is the ultimate change of direction. My writing professor used to joke that poets don’t sell because no one buys. However, as a freelance writer, I realize that if I make money with my writing (like this opening letter), this is definitely a business. And I love the history of “freelancing”. In 1820, the word originally meant a medieval mercenary warrior, a spear not sworn to the service of a lord, or a “freelancer.”
This is not to be confused with the “gig economy.” This is a relatively new term associated with the labor market, which is made up of people who work in “gigs” to supplement their income, such as Uber and Lyft drivers and tech support. The possibilities are as limitless as the skills people can employ. of harvard business review When we study these independent workers, we find that they have four common connections that help them endure the ups and downs of business: location, routine, and purpose., and people.
Charlie started the podcast because he has a similar interest in entrepreneurship. He has interviewed people from a variety of professions, including fish and lavender farmers, sauna producers, real estate agents, personal trainers, chefs, shop owners, and cheese makers. While recording with him, I realized that the drive to keep going — in my case, I’ve been writing every year since I was 21 — is a trait that many entrepreneurs have in common. Charlie says, “No matter how many times he falls down, he always gets back up.” I can’t count the number of rejection letters I’ve received. At least he has 1,000. I kept writing no matter what. Right now, I’m focusing on my life and summarizing it in an essay. This is a dream job for the longtime storyteller.
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Charlie helped me understand how creative writers are marketing writers. We work based on our audience and purpose.
Patty reference
author
Originally from Austin, Texas, Charlie has served as President and CEO of the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation since 2006. Attraction to Wisconsin: He fell in love with a Chippewa girl. We, the people of Chippewa Falls, know that there is no going back after that.
CEDC attracts, retains and expands businesses, fostering investment in capital and talent, and is a major catalyst for economic development in Chippewa County. Charlie has produced over 125 of his BEAR podcasts over the past seven years. He and his one-woman crew, Brittany Newton, are all about having fun and learning from their guests. They recently started taking the show out of the studio. I was interviewed at Lake Harry on a warm but windy fall afternoon. My pontoon hit the shore, a plane heading to the airport exploded overhead, and the alarm went off. we continued talking.
Charlie helped me understand how creative writers are marketing writers. We work based on our audience and purpose. The unscripted format means Charlie’s interviews feel more like conversations. It helps that he can talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable. The purpose of his podcast is to motivate others by getting people to share their business and personal stories. Entrepreneurs share their expertise, successes, setbacks, and more. Charlie wants these to be informative, entertaining and interactive. After all, one of his best marketing tools is being able to concisely tell the story of your business.
At the end of each podcast, Charlie asks the question, “If you could thank anyone, who would it be?”
His most memorable response came from a winner of the HATCH Business Pitch contest a few years ago. This is a competitive Shark Tank style event for Chippewa Valley entrepreneurs.
This man said to Charlie, “I want to thank myself.”
Charlie still laughs about it. he says: “This embraces the idea that many entrepreneurs have, which is that only they can do it and they don’t need help. . . . He had a good product. He had drive and charm, but he didn’t understand the importance of relationships in entrepreneurship.”
Charlie acknowledges that the most successful entrepreneurs are motivated to surround themselves with people who offer support and even partnership. He says, “This makes the networking process easier.” He continues, “Building these genuine honest relationships…is invaluable…and will pay huge dividends down the road.” Any freelancer would agree.
Listen to the BEAR podcast at chinpewa-wi.com.
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