Life is better when you can surround yourself with people that inspire you. Luckily, about a year ago, I met Charlie Wollborg. Since then he’s become a mentor, a friend and someone that’s helped me take my ideas and talents and turn them into something bigger. To say he has influence on me is an understatement.
Charlie is a partner at Curve Detroit, a creative marketing and design agency in Detroit. He and his team help companies shape their products and brands into something remarkable. In his spare time, he throws his energy into planning events like TEDxDetroit and bringing the Detroit business and interactive communities together through Motor City Connect. He’s an active part of the social media community in Detroit and is one of the biggest ambassadors for the state of Michigan I’ve ever met.
He blogs, over at hello hello, one of my favorite places to find inspiration for doing better business and being a better human being. He encourages us to make the best use of our talents and do what we can to use our strengths to improve our companies and communities. Each time I’ve seen Charlie speak, or we’ve attended a conference together, or worked on a project together or worked on planning an event together or even just chatted over lunch, I’ve left feeling inspired and motivated.
When I have a big idea, he’s the first person that gets my call. When I need to talk through a marketing or social media-related project, he’s the first person that gets my call. I trust him to help me think critically about what’s inside my head and point me in the right direction toward turning it into something great. I’m going to stop flattering him now, I think you get the picture.
Charlie shows no shortage of passion in everything he does. When I asked him about passion, he talked to me about people taking their big ideas and making them happen. In true Charlie form, he also talked about bacon. See for yourself.
If you know Charlie, then you already know he’s the kind of guy that works hard to make the world a little better place. If you don’t know him, I recommend reaching out and saying hi on twitter. He’s an incredible resource for talking and learning about marketing, design, creative business, Detroit and fun in general. While you’re at it, say hi to his wife Elena. She’s totally his better half.
Charlie inspires me all the time. I hope you’ve got people in your life who do the same.
Check out the rest of the influencers series here.
Photo: Taken with Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. Exposure 1/1600. Aperture f/1.7. Focal length 50mm. ISO Speed 200.
Becky, great reco for those that don’t know Charlie. I hope people nationally are getting to know the influencers of Detroit like Charlie, Dave Murr, Christopher Barger, and yourself. We have a great story to tell by talented people and I’m glad you are taking to the time to do that!
Have a great week.