On today’s show I sat down with Chuck Surack, the founder and chairman of Sweetwater, the largest online retailer of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the US.

From starting his career as a musician with a VW bus filled with recording equipment to building a billion-dollar enterprise in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Chuck shares the key milestones and lessons learned along his journey.

Our discussion covers the unique culture at Sweetwater, the impact of relocating talent to northeast Indiana, and Chuck’s ongoing contributions through the Surack Family Foundation and Surack Enterprises.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. 

You are going to learn about:

• Chuck’s Journey from Musician to Building a Billion-Dollar Enterprise

• The Importance of Culture at Sweetwater

• Community Impact by the Surack Family Foundation 

Check out these great clips from the show:
00:39 Guest Introduction: Chuck Surack, Sweetwater
01:47 The Journey from VW Bus to Billion-Dollar Enterprise
02:55 Recording on the Road and Early Challenges
03:53 The Birth of Sweetwater
10:45 The Turning Point: Investing in Technology
15:18 The Rise of Sweetwater: From Local to Global
23:57 Building Relationships and Expanding the Team
38:48 The Sweetwater Culture and Vision
40:16 Mail Order Beginnings
40:50 Reflecting on 47 Years of Sweetwater
42:06 Staying Rooted in Fort Wayne
44:46 Selling Sweetwater: A New Chapter
48:40 Pearl Street Arts: A Legacy Project
52:03 Aviation Passion and Business Ventures
54:21 Indy Eleven and the Heliport Controversy
01:02:14 Rapid Fire Questions and Reflections