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Whether you are a local business leader, founder, economic developer, or curious community member, you will find thoughtful dialogue and practical takeaways on building stronger, more resilient economies. With a...
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Whether you are a local business leader, founder, economic developer, or curious community member, you will find thoughtful dialogue and practical takeaways on building stronger, more resilient economies. With a focus on learning and community insight, BEAR Discussions connects listeners to real-world perspectives on how businesses start, grow, and thrive.
Each episode features candid conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, policymakers, and industry experts about issues shaping regional development, from workforce and innovation to manufacturing, defense, and small business success. Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Discussions is a podcast by the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) that explores the strategies, stories, and people driving economic growth in the Chippewa Valley and beyond.
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Each episode features candid conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, policymakers, and industry experts about issues shaping regional development, from workforce and innovation to manufacturing, defense, and small business success. Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Discussions is a podcast by the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) that explores the strategies, stories, and people driving economic growth in the Chippewa Valley and beyond.
Episodi & Post
Episodi
Post
4 SET 2026 · In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, Charlie Walker sits down with Victoria Thayer, CPA and founder of NOVII CPA, to talk about helping entrepreneurs turn their financials into a tool for confident decision-making. Originally from Venezuela, Victoria shares her journey from engineering student to business owner, along with practical advice on tracking profit, revenue, and cash flow; asking the right financial questions; avoiding growth traps; and knowing when it may be time to reassess your business structure. It’s an inspiring conversation about building the American dream, changing your family’s trajectory, and using financial clarity to grow with purpose.
28 AGO 2026 · In this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast, Charlie Walker talks with Becky Mullane of Dixon’s Apple Orchard, Dixon’s Wedding Venue, and Autumn Harvest Winery. Becky shares how she learned the apple business alongside her grandfather in New Mexico, helped preserve the family’s signature Champagne apple, and rebuilt her family’s future in western Wisconsin after wildfire and flooding forced them to leave their original orchard. It’s a story of resilience, faith, agritourism, family partnership, and growing a legacy through every challenge.
21 AGO 2026 · What happens when a second-generation roofer and a marketing professional dream big? Host Charlie Walker visits 6Four Accord in Barron County to hear how Tyler and Deanna Westphal transformed a construction shop into a one-of-a-kind destination centered on connection, community, and creating lasting memories.
From entrepreneurship and agritourism to live reindeer, live music, faith, and family, Tyler and Deanna share the story behind 6Four Accord and the lessons they've learned while building a business designed to bring generations together.
7 AGO 2026 · Host Charlie Walker and co-host Karen Smith take BEAR Discussions lakeside to Backwoods Waterside Bar & Grill on Chain Lake in Rusk County. Owner Brett Larson shares how he and his ownership group rescued a 90-year-old icon from the bulldozer, what it takes to run a seven-day-a-week hospitality business, and the hard lesson they learned after running out of beer on opening weekend. State Representative Rob Summerfield joins the conversation, reflecting on how his own supper club roots shaped his service-first approach in Madison. From eliminating taxes on tips and retaining Wisconsin's workforce to the rise of non-alcoholic beverages and the role of AI in small business, it's a wide-ranging conversation about keeping Wisconsin competitive, affordable, and welcoming for entrepreneurs.
24 LUG 2026 · In this episode of BEAR Discussions, Charlie Walker and Karen Smith sit down with Adam Baalrud, owner of the New Auburn Cheese Company, to discuss his journey from the food science and dairy industry to launching a successful small-town restaurant and cheese shop. From building a business in rural Wisconsin to exploring new opportunities in the cheese industry, this episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone passionate about strengthening local communities.
10 LUG 2026 · Recorded on location at Gilbert's of Sand Creek, this episode of the BEAR Discussions Podcast features host Charlie Walker and co-host Karen Smith in conversation with Steve Olson and Clay Olson. Together, they discuss the dealership's history, the value of family ownership, leadership, innovation, and what continues to drive the business forward in the Chippewa Valley.
26 GIU 2026 · Host Charlie Walker sits down with Kelli Cook, founder of The Yoga Plant in Chippewa Falls, to talk about how saying yes to everything led to burnout—and how learning to say no transformed her energy, her business, and the community she serves.
12 GIU 2026 · Tune in to this episode with host Charlie Walker and cohost Ken Pearson of Jackson County Economic Development & Tourism for a conversation with David Epstein, recorded in Jackson County.
Listen as owner of Mosser Lee, David Epstein shares insights on real-world challenges and opportunities in rural communities, and how treating your employees well can go a long way toward building strong, successful organizations and regions.
29 MAG 2026 · Nine‑time American Ninja Warrior and entrepreneur Maggi Thorne joins host Charlie Walker and co‑host John Gatto to share how she learned to see every setback as opportunity, not opposition. From starting as a custodian to managing multi‑million‑dollar projects and stepping onto the American Ninja Warrior stage, Maggi unpacks the mindset, resilience, and faith it takes to keep moving forward when success comes with problems attached.
15 MAG 2026 · In this episode of the CEDC Bear Discussions podcast, Charlie Walker sits down with Momentum West Executive Director Steve Jahn to discuss the power of partnerships in economic development. Learn how collaboration among communities, businesses, educators, and economic development organizations has helped make Western Wisconsin a thriving place to live, work, and invest.
Whether you are a local business leader, founder, economic developer, or curious community member, you will find thoughtful dialogue and practical takeaways on building stronger, more resilient economies. With a...
mostra di più
Whether you are a local business leader, founder, economic developer, or curious community member, you will find thoughtful dialogue and practical takeaways on building stronger, more resilient economies. With a focus on learning and community insight, BEAR Discussions connects listeners to real-world perspectives on how businesses start, grow, and thrive.
Each episode features candid conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, policymakers, and industry experts about issues shaping regional development, from workforce and innovation to manufacturing, defense, and small business success. Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Discussions is a podcast by the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) that explores the strategies, stories, and people driving economic growth in the Chippewa Valley and beyond.
mostra meno
Each episode features candid conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, policymakers, and industry experts about issues shaping regional development, from workforce and innovation to manufacturing, defense, and small business success. Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Discussions is a podcast by the Chippewa Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) that explores the strategies, stories, and people driving economic growth in the Chippewa Valley and beyond.
Informazioni
| Autore | CEDC Podcasts |
| Organizzazione | CEDC Podcasts |
| Categorie | Economia |
| Sito | chippewa-wi.com |
| staff@chippewa-wi.com |
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