Each month, the Concord Young Professionals Network spotlights one of its up-and-comers. This month, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Charlie Cole of Cole Gardens.
Where do you live? Concord.
Where do you currently work? Cole Gardens.
Where did you go to school? Endicott College.
What do you like to do for fun? I’m looking forward to getting out on the golf course. The course is a great place to catch up with friends for a few hours.
Favorite places to be? Even after working with plants all day, I enjoy messing around in my garden. Luckily they haven’t started to talk back, so it can be relaxing after a long day.
Last book you’ve read? I’d much rather be out and about, but I have been reading Onward, by Howard Schultz, off and on for a while now. I have been putting it down and picking it back up, trying to finish it. What he’s done with the Starbucks brand is impressive.
How did you find out about CYPN and how has it benefitted your business or you personally? I have known about and worked with CYPN for years. We have hosted events at the store and I have been to others, though maybe not as many as I should. CPYN events are a great way to meet people who live, work, and play in the capital area. For Cole Gardens, it’s a great way to reach out to new and future homeowners. We want them to know we are here to help them feel comfortable in the garden.
What organizations are you involved with? Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, State of New Hampshire Agriculture Advisory Board, and the Bishop Brady High School Advisory Board.
Greatest role model? My grandfather. He was humble, hardworking, loving and fun. And he was a passionate tomato grower! I may not enjoy growing tomatoes, but I loved sitting down with him and talking about the garden he had and cared for.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Concord? I love a good burger; The Barley House and Granite both make the perfect one. I am enjoying one now as I fill out this questionnaire.
What’s your favorite place to go in Concord? Other than Cole Gardens in spring?
Favorite movie of all time? I can’t imagine just having one favorite movie; there are too many! I enjoy catching them at Red River Theatres – Whiplash and Birdman are two I would put on my list of great movies this year.
What is one of your life goals? Maybe I should start a list of life goals …
What has been your favorite CYPN event so far? Would it be biased to say the couple we have held here at Cole Gardens? They are a lot of work to get the store ready for the event, but always worth it in the end.
If you could visit any country, where would you go? I would like to go snowboarding in the French or Swiss Alps. Experience a real Après Ski outside a chalet.
Where is the best place you’ve visited? France for sure! Even after being there more than once, it is the only country that I have traveled to that I still have this need to keep going back again and again. On vacations I tend to eat my way through a trip, and there is no question France fills that necessity.
Who would you really like to meet? It would be great to share a Coke with Warren Buffett. Any person who claims that he is one quarter Coca-Cola must be fun, and in his case, fascinating.
Tell us a few interesting facts about yourself! As a kid, my dream job was to drive a tug tractor at an airport. I would be like the UPS man of MHT; rain or shine, your luggage will get to your destination on time!
The Concord Young Professionals Network is a professional and personal development initiative created by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce just over five years ago. Free events are held on the third Wednesday of every month at various Concord venues, where hundreds of young professionals of all ages can interact socially, build a network of contacts, exchange ideas and have fun. To receive notices of upcoming events, please visit concordypn.org or visit facebook.com/concordypn.
