We recently connected with Charlie Walkrich and have shared our conversation below.

Charlie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Don’t be afraid to take risks when it’s necessary. The biggest risk I’ve taken was moving my businesses from Ukraine to the United States. I had no idea if it was going to work as I would have to start my marketing from scratch. Even though I had the experience and I knew what to do, it took me several months to start getting clients. In the meantime, I had to work other jobs to support myself. Once my marketing efforts started to pay off, my income went up substantially and I used that profit to start new businesses. At this time I own and operate 13 small businesses that focus on event services and I’m very happy I made the move. We have a saying in Ukraine: “Those who don’t take the risk don’t get to drink champagne.

Charlie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I own and operate several small companies in Southern California that specialize in photography, photo booths, videography, live streaming, DJ/MC services, live music, stages, AV rentals, sound and lighting. My most popular brands are Walkrich Signature Events, Golden Gate Sunrise Entertainment, Golden Wedding Photos, Golden Wedding Videos, San Diego Sound and Lighting, San Diego Video Production Company, Cheap Wedding Videography, Dirt Cheap Wedding Photography and Cheap Event Lighting Rental. Every service we offer was added gradually over the years as I kept learning and obtaining new skills. What motivated me the most is realizing that the average cost of hiring event vendors was so high while their communication and quality of service could be better. I set a goal to create an affordable one-stop shop that would offer excellent communication and a great value for a budget-friendly price.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For a business to succeed, it’s important to build great relationships with customers and the best way is to become friends with them. If we demonstrate genuine interest in their life while asking them about their interests and passions, people would often open up and be happy to discuss it with someone. If we carefully listen to what they have to say and show that we care, we can find something in common and continue building the relationship from there. If we continue to keep in touch, our potential customers will always keep us in mind. It does take some time to develop a personal relationship with someone, but it’s a very effective marketing strategy that can help increase sales in the long term.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Coaching was a huge contributing factor that helped me grow my businesses and avoid many common mistakes. Being ambitious, enthusiastic and hard working wasn’t enough. I needed someone who could share their practical experience and give me specific tips on how to implement my ideas in a profitable way. Without coaching, I don’t think my companies would have succeeded or grown as quickly as they have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charliewalkrich.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliewalkrich/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charliewalkrichmusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-walkrich-55bab03a/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharlieWalkrich
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharlieWalkrich
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-gate-sunrise-entertainment-san-diego-3
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/charliewalkrich
• Other: https://www.CharlieWalkrich.com/
  https://WalkrichSignatureEvents.com/
  http://www.SanDiegoWeddingdjmc.com/
  https://SanDiegoVideoProductioncompany.com/
  http://www.WeddingVideographerSanDiego.com/
  http://www.WeddingVideographerOrangeCounty.com/
  http://www.LosAngelesWeddingVideographerPrices.com/
  http://www.CheapWeddingVideography.com/
  http://www.DirtCheapWeddingPhotography.com/
  http://www.CheapEventLightingRental.com/
  http://www.SanDiegoSoundAndLighting.com/
  https://CheapWeddingPlannerSanDiego.com/
  http://www.AffordableWeddingPhotographerSanDiego.com/

Image Credits

Walkrich Signature Events, Golden Gate Sunrise Entertainment, Golden Wedding Photos, Golden Wedding Videos, San Diego Sound and Lighting, San Diego Video Production Company, Cheap Wedding Videography, Dirt Cheap Wedding Photography and Cheap Event Lighting Rental.