From founding one of the top music retailers in the country to embarking on exciting new projects in aviation, real estate, and philanthropy, Chuck Surack’s journey is truly inspiring. In these exclusive interviews, you’ll get to hear directly from him about how he built his businesses, what fuels his leadership style, and why giving back to the community is so important to him.
Chuck Surack Interviews
June 5, 2025
Early Education: Investing in Fort Wayne’s Future Generations
Before Sweetwater became a billion-dollar brand, it was a one-man recording studio in the back of a VW bus. In … Watch Video
June 29, 2025
From Saxophones to Sweetwater: Chuck Surack’s Billion-Dollar Tune
In this episode, Toph sits down with founder Chuck Surack to explore the relentless, often surprising journey behind one of … Watch Video
May 24, 2025
Manchester University Commencement 2025
Manchester University 2024 commencement. … Watch Video
April 9, 2025
Eric Doden’s father, Chuck Surack submit offer to purchase North River site
Eric Doden’s father, Chuck Surack submit offer to purchase North River site despite city saying it’s not up for sale. … Watch Video
March 15, 2025
Inside INdiana Business Television Podcast
Sweetwater, the largest music retail company in the nation, was founded in Fort Wayne. Chuck Surack, who joined our Engage … Watch Video
May 14, 2025
Sweetwater’s Surack on selling stake in billion-dollar firm, backing Indy heliport
In this week’s edition of the IBJ Podcast, Surack sheds more light on his decision to sell a controlling stake … Watch Video
March 11, 2025
Off the Record with Chuck Surack
In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Chuck Surack, founder of Surack Enterprises … Watch Video
March 11, 2025
Pursuing Excellence in Aviation and Business, with Chuck Surack
After building a billion-dollar music business, Chuck Surack is applying the lessons he learned to save an aviation icon. He … Watch Video
January 9, 2025
Off The Record with Chuck Surack
In this episode of Indiana 250 Off the Record, host Nate Feltman talks with Chuck Surack, founder of Surack Enterprises … Watch Video
November 12, 2024
A Journey of Sweet Success with Chuck Surack
The founder of Sweetwater, the world’s largest music equipment retailer, philanthropist, and musician Chuck Surack shares his journey from being … Watch Video
November 4, 2024
The Inspiring Story Behind Sweetwater with Founder Chuck Surack
Chuck Surack, the visionary founder of Sweetwater, shared his journey starting with his first Kurzweil K250 sale and the challenges … Watch Video
October 29, 2024
A Conversation with Chuck Surack
We're thrilled to have the rare opportunity to engage in a conversation with none other than Chuck Surack, the founder … Watch Video
September 3, 2024
The Incredible Journey of Sweetwater's Founder Chuck Surack
Meet Chuck Surack, the visionary behind Sweetwater Sound, the world's largest online music products company. In this exclusive interview, Chuck … Watch Video
May 23, 2024
Between 3 River: Episode 7 - Chuck Surack
Bill and Dan sit down with Chuck Surack: an American entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist, and musician, best known as the founder … Watch Video
May 8, 2024
One-on-One with Indy Eleven’s new co-owner Chuck Surack
WISH-TV interviews Chuck Surack about Indy Eleven. … Watch Video
May 6, 2024
Why Sweetwater Sends 350,000 Pounds Of Candy Each Year
In this episode, Chuck tells the origin story of Sweetwater from VW Bus to 1,000,000 Sq Ft of space. … Watch Video
March 4, 2024
Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and the sweet life with Chuck Surack
Chuck Surack, founder of Sweetwater Sound, shares his journey of music, entrepreneurship, and leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving people … Watch Video
April 23, 2023
Starting Small Summit 2023 - Chuck Surack Full Session
This years summit featured Peter Tuchman, the "Einstein of Wallstreet"; Cameron Smith, Co-Founder of Kodiak Cakes' and Chuck Surack, Founder … Watch Video
October 3, 2022
VFS Interview - Chuck Surack, Owner, Enstrom Helicopters
After 64 years of operation, Enstrom Helicopter had declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy in January 2022. However, the company was rescued … Watch Video
February 14, 2022
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry announces $50M downtown development
Chuck and Lisa Surack with Surack Enterprises are investing about $50,000,000 into the city in the form of a mixed-use … Watch Video
February 14, 2022
Chuck Surack announces new downtown Fort Wayne development
Surack Enterprises announces a major downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana development. … Watch Video
July 27, 2021
The Sweetwater Story with Chuck Surack
Chuck Surack talks the origins of Sweetwater from its humble beginnings to becoming the largest music retailer in the world. … Watch Video
May 21, 2021
Chuck Surack - The Sweetwater Sound Story
Guest interviewer, Joe Lamond, CEO of NAMM, and Chuck Surack, Founder and CEO of music retailer Sweetwater Sound, explore the … Watch Video
March 18, 2021
&Good Company Chuck Surack
&Good Company sits down with Chuck Surack to discuss the future of business. … Watch Video
February 21, 2021
Chuck Surack Sweetwater.com Founder and CEO
The inspiring story of Chuck Surack who started in a VW Bus and has grown Sweetwater.com to over $1B in … Watch Video
February 14, 2021
Take a tour of Fort Wayne’s Sweetwater!
Sweetwater is one of Fort Wayne's most important, successful, and influential businesses. Founder Chuck Surack employs nearly 2,000 people and … Watch Video
November 20, 2020
Chuck Surack: Cirrus Owner
Chuck Surack, of Sweetwater Sound, uses his Vision Jet to expand his flight department's capabilities. … Watch Video
August 9, 2020
Chuck Surack Interview | Chasing The Impossible
This Chuck Surack Interview tells the story of how working hard, always doing the right thing, and having an entrepreneurial … Watch Video
July 2, 2020
Chuck Surack and the Sweetwater Story at GearFest 2020
Sweetwater’s founder and CEO Chuck Surack started the company as a humble mobile recording studio in a VW bus. Hear … Watch Video
May 13, 2020
Live Interview: Chuck Surack
Aaron Short interviews Chuck Surack, founder/CEO of Sweetwater … Watch Video
April 28, 2020
Sweetwater’s Chuck Surack Discusses Online Retailer During the Time of COVID-19
Founder and CEO of the venerable retailer also talks about running his business during the COVID-19 lockdowns. … Watch Video
April 16, 2020
Leadership with Chuck Surack – Founder and CEO of Sweetwater
Navigate any environment with these leadership principles from Sweetwater founder and CEO Chuck Surack. … Watch Video
February 28, 2020
The story of Sweetwater: Chuck Surack
This episode is with Chuck Surack, CEO and founder of one of the worlds leading instrument retailers, Sweetwater. You will … Watch Video
April 2, 2019
Barn & Business Breakfast 2019- Chuck Surack Interview
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation interviews Chuck Surack. … Watch Video
March 22, 2019
Chuck Surack on Online Retail
Chuck Surack founded Sweetwater Sound in his VW Bus. Now he's closing in on a billion dollars annual revenue. In … Watch Video
October 8, 2018
IIBTV: Fort Wayne Momentum Helped Seal Sweetwater Deal
Sweetwater founder Chuck Surack says Indiana had some competition when it came to landing the company's $76.4 million expansion and … Watch Video
December 18, 2017
Fort Wayne Town Hall: Sweetwater Sound
It’s a destination for music lovers. Sweetwaters’ sprawling campus features a music store, recording studios, live performances and more. Founder … Watch Video
December 11, 2017
The NIIC—Don't Give Up (Chuck Surack, Sweetwater, Inc.)
he NIIC is a non-profit, community-based entrepreneurial community. We assist business builders and entrepreneurs to launch, expand, or re-invent successful … Watch Video
November 27, 2017
Podcast 101: Chuck Surack of Sweetwater Sound
Chuck Surack is a legend in music circles, having created one of the largest MI retailers in the world with … Watch Video
November 17, 2017
Chuck Surack - Tastemakers
Jim of Tastemakers interviews Chuck Surack. … Watch Video
June 23, 2017
The Story of Chuck Surack at Sweetwater GearFest 2017
Watch as Cool Cleveland talks with Chuck about how he worked out of a Volkswagen bus in 1979, and how … Watch Video
February 14, 2017
Sweetwater Founder Chuck Surack Accepts Legend of Leadership Award
Sweetwater founder Chuck Surack accepted the Legend of Leadership award. … Watch Video
September 16, 2016
Interview with Charles J. Surack
Find out how Charles J. Surack, CEO of Sweetwater Sound, went from working out of his VW van to become … Watch Video
January 19, 2015
Sweet Success with Chuck Surack (Part 2)
Mitch Cruise sits down with Chuck Surack and talks Chuck's business journey. Part 2. … Watch Video
January 12, 2015
Sweet Success with Chuck Surack (Part 1)
Mitch Cruise sits down with Chuck Surack and talks Chuck's business journey. Part 1. … Watch Video
August 1, 2014
Interview with Chuck Surack - The Sweetwater Minute
In this special edition of The Sweetwater Minute, Mitch sits down with the Founder, CEO, and President of Sweetwater Sound, … Watch Video
June 15, 2014
Chuck Surack: Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year 2014
The Red Cross is proud to present Chuck Surack their Humanitarian of the Year award for 2014. … Watch Video
July 16, 2013
NAMM Show 2013 – Chuck Surack
Chuck talks business and leadership at the 2013 NAMM show. … Watch Video
July 16, 2013
NAMM Oral History – Chuck Surack
Chuck Surack is the founder and president of Sweetwater Sound, one of the landmark companies within the music products industry. … Watch Video© 2025 Surack Enterprises. All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy