BEAR Discussions

Andrew Gehrke, a Milwaukee native, moved to Eau Claire to attend school, and ended up moving back a few years later with his wife. Since then, he's dove deep into the downtown Eau Claire bar and restaurant scene, noticed that no one local was selling cocktail syrup, and decided to take matters into his own hands - and mix it up.

Meagan Pichler is a Community Health Manager for the Marshfield Clinic Health System Center for Community Health Advancement. As a practicing Certified Prevention Specialist in the state of Wisconsin and a Certified Health Education Specialist through the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing board, she leverages her skills and passion to help underserved populations by addressing...

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Wade Latz, an instructor and entrepreneur with a passion for filling the workforce gap in manufacturing. Today, we talk about his new nonprofit, Manufacturing SOS Alliance.

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Mike Coughlin - owner of Tech Breaker, a company that produces foam insulation for building foundations - to talk about entrepreneurship, the supply chain, and more.

CEDC's Lisa Bruhn and Charlie Walker talk with Teresa Wadell, owner of Abundant Acres, about raising goats, selling soaps, and the unquenchable entrepreneurial spirit.

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Kathy Wright, General Manager of Country Jam, to find out the history of the festival, building the brand, and how she personally got into the entertainment industry. Turns out: the key to building the brand was in selling the experience, especially after the pandemic took that away from us.

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Nicole Lillis, director of the Support to Communities Program offered by Workforce Resource. Listen to this episode to find out what that program is! For questions or additional information, contact Nicole Lillis at 715.619.0655 Ext. 1512 Send inquires to Nicole Lillis by email: Nicole.lillis@workforceresource.org

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Rebecca Cooke, owner and founder of both Red's Merchantile and the Red Letter Grant. Why do they both have "red" in the name, you ask? Listen to the episode to find out!

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Erica Zerr, Business and Industry Partnership Consultant for the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA10), to talk about growing the local talent pipeline through cooperation between businesses and school districts.

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with two teachers from Chippewa Falls High School to talk about their upcoming STEAM Night on March 15th.

CEDC’s Charlie Walker sits down with Patrick Ley and Steven Birkholz of Applied Care Services (ACS). ACS is based out of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and offers counseling and employment assistance to individuals that struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues, while also helping businesses save money by taking care of their packaging needs, effectively getting two birds with one stone a...

Jeremy Fisher's life and soul has been archery for most of his life. CEDC's Charlie Walker and Lisa Bruhn sit down with Jeremy Fisher, owner of Badger State Adventures and the Toxon App, to learn more about how his passion became his life's work and how he combined the bow and the bootstrap to expand the sport of archery.

CEDC's Lisa Bruhn sits down with Nycki Wallsch, a counselor, coach, community leader, and mom! In this episode, we discuss the ways that business leaders can help people struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

CEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Cory White, owner of Small Business EH&S, to talk about safety and environmental regulations for small businesses.

CEDC's Charlie Walker talks with Roger Gostomski, owner and founder of Eau Claire Tours, to find out his journey from scouring museums for research to giving the only walking tour in Eau Claire.

CCEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Dr. Drew Gintner, a licensed chiropractor and prospective presenter at our Honeycomb HATCH Pitch Competition.

Anthony Nied started Safe & Simple Organic Lawns in 2018 because he knew of a market that had to be filled. In this BEAR Discussions podcast episode, Anthony talks to us about how he runs a seasonal business, the generational change in gardening interest, and how he grows his customer base and his business organically.

Sara Drolet is the owner of Water's Edge Cheese Curds and a Corporate Account Manager at High Line Foods: in short, she knows how to sell food to restaurants. In this podcast, we talk about how Sara markets to her customers ("sprinkles on the cheese"), how she attracts talent, and if she ever sees Water's Edge expanding to retail.

Join CCEDC's Charlie and Lisa for a special episode with two guests: Stacey Powell, RN, Director of Surgical Services for HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's Hospitals, and Kelli Olson, RN, Surgical OR Nurse at HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital. We talk about the healthcare industry, how the talent shortage has affected them, and how we can work towards mending the talent pipeline.

Have you ever wondered what the catalyst is for an entrepreneur to take the plunge? In this episode, hear Steve Millen's story of how he went from repairing small engines in his garage to owning one of the most successful equipment service and supply stores in the nation.

Tim Schilla has always had a passion for working on old cars and building things. CCEDC's Charlie Walker sits down with Schilla, owner of Auburn Rod & Custom, to talk about his passion for old cars and building, and the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur in the automotive industry.

Join the CCEDC for this week’s BEAR Discussions Podcast episode featuring Ryan Stolt, owner of the Bloomer Brewing Company. The brewery is a second-generation, family owned establishment started by Ryan’s father. Their building was recently renovated in 2020, which expanded their scope of business and has been instrumental in their success.

CCEDC Board Member Lisa Bruhn sits down with Christine Untiedt, owner of Brown Barn Botanicals, to talk about how she started her business, how it has evolved, and what her plans are for the next few years. Brown Barn Botanicals is a skincare company that sources most of its ingredients from their farm in Lake Holcombe, Wisconsin, and makes all of their products in-house.

Founder and owner of Martino's Pizza Place, Ron Haas, sits down with the CCEDC to discuss opening a restaurant, staying open and pivoting during the pandemic, and the effect that pushes for university attendance have had on the restaurant and trade industries. The title, "Lean Pizza," comes from a manufacturing term, to Lean, which is to make the line as efficient and cost-friendly as possible. Ro...

CCEDC's Charlie Walker talks with Deb Leslie, a recent retiree of Workforce Resource Inc., about workforce development, finding your passion, being a great connector, and seeing every opportunity present. "If not me, then who?" -Deb Leslie