Episodes
72
Latest episode
Oct 2026
Language
EN
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.
Host Charlie Walker and cohost Ken Pearson sit down with siblings Derek and Ashley, third-generation owners of Northern Family Farms, to explore how a Christmas tree farm grew into a thriving nursery business. They discuss balancing family and business, embracing innovation, and building lasting partnerships—all while staying rooted in family-first values.
On this episode of CEDC BEAR Discussions, host Charlie Walker and co-host Lisa Bruhn sit down with entrepreneur and BEAR at the Orchard winner Jose Lagunas Jr., founder of Rockwell Home Management. Jose shares how his experiences as a Marine, firefighter, and paramedic helped him identify a problem and turn it into a business focused on helping people safely age in place. He talks about using technology and AI to bring his idea to life, the lessons he learned through BEAR at the Orchard, and why making connections, asking for help, and simply showing up can make all the difference for an entrepreneur. It’s a conversation about starting before you have all the answers, learning as you go, and building something that can make a difference in the community
Host Charlie Walker sits down with LaToya Woodard, founder of Country Getaway Adult Day Services near Bloomer, Wisconsin. LaToya shares how her personal experience as a family caregiver inspired her to create a warm, welcoming space for adults with dementia, disabilities, brain injuries, and other care needs. They discuss caregiver burnout, navigating resources and insurance, building a purpose-driven business, and giving families the support and peace of mind they deserve.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Alexander Spencer
