Back in September, I was invited to be on Charlie Walker’s Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) podcast which offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to discuss their accomplishments and dreams. I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur. First, I have trouble spelling it. Second, as a former poet, calling myself this would be the ultimate about-face. My writing professor used to joke that poets can’t sell out since nobody’s ever buying. But as a freelance writer, I realize if I make money off of my writing (like this opening letter) surely this is a business. And I love the history of “freelance.” In 1820, the phrase originally pertained to any medieval mercenary warrior, a lance who was not sworn to any lord’s services – thus a “free lance.”

This is not to be confused with the “gig economy,” a relatively new phrase that pertains to a labor market made up of people who work a “gig” to supplement their income: Uber or Lyft driver, tech support, perhaps. The possibilities are as endless as the skills people can hire out. The Harvard Business Review studied these independent workers and discovered they have four common connections to endure the ups and downs of their business: place, routines, purpose, and people.

Charlie started his podcast because he’s interested in that same entrepreneurial spirit. He has interviewed people from many professions: fish and lavender farmers, sauna producers, realtors, personal trainers, chefs, shop owners, cheese makers, and so many others. While recording with him, I realized that the grit of keeping at it – in my case the business of writing, year after year since I was a 21-year-old – is a quality shared by many entrepreneurs. Charlie says, “You fall down many times, you get back up.” I can’t count the number of rejection letters I’ve received – at least a thousand. I kept writing no matter what. Now I pay attention to my life and turn it into an essay, a dream job for this longtime storyteller.

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Charlie helped me see how creative writers are marketing writers: we base our work on audience and purpose.

patti see

author

An Austin, Texas native, Charlie has been President/CEO of the Chippewa Economic Development Corp. since 2006. The draw to Wisconsin: he fell in love with a Chippewa girl. Those of us from Chippewa Falls know there’s no looking back after that.

The CEDC fosters capital and talent investment by attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses and being the primary catalyst for economic development in Chippewa County. Charlie has produced over 125 BEAR podcasts throughout the past seven years. He and his one-woman crew, Brittany Newton, embrace an attitude of just having fun and learning from their guests. They recently started taking the show out of their studio. I was interviewed on Lake Hallie on a warm but windy autumn afternoon. My pontoon blew into the shore, planes blasted overhead on their way to the airport, and an alarm went off. We talked on.

Charlie helped me see how creative writers are marketing writers: we base our work on audience and purpose. The non-script format means Charlie’s interviews feel more like a conversation; it helps that he can talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable. The purpose of his podcast is to have people tell their personal history in business to motivate others. Entrepreneurs share their expertise, their successes, as well as any setbacks. Charlie wants these to be informative, entertaining, and interactive. After all, one of the best marketing tools is being able to succinctly tell the story of your business.

Charlie ends each podcast with the question, “If you could thank anyone, who would it be?”

His most memorable response came from a HATCH Business Pitch contest winner a few years ago. This is a competitive Shark Tank-style event for entrepreneurs in the Chippewa Valley.

This guy announced to Charlie, “I want to thank myself.”

Charlie still chuckles about that one. He says, “It embraces the idea many entrepreneurs have: that only they can do it, that they don’t need help.  . . He had a good product. He had drive and charm but didn’t catch the importance of human connection in entrepreneurship.”

Charlie acknowledges that the most successful entrepreneurs have a willingness to surround themselves with people who offer support and even partnerships. He says, “This positions you for an easier networking process.” He goes on, “Building those genuine, honest relationships… is priceless… and pays huge dividends down the road.” Any freelancer would agree.

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Listen to the BEAR Podcast at chippewa-wi.com.