Snapshot Profile: Charley Shirmeyer

Snapshot Profile: Charley Shirmeyer

A talk with the owner of Northside Galleries

Fort Wayne Reader

2005-07-25

Age: 32
Birthplace Fort Wayne, Ind.
Education Bishop Luers High School, 1991, IPFW, 1996
Degree Two Associates degrees in civil and architectural engineering technology
Marital status married, Christina, and expecting first child in July
Current Position owner and operator, Northside Galleries, Northside Import Boutique
Favorite movie: Legends of the Fall
Favorite restaurant: Prefers cooking at home
Favorite book: Oh! The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
Last CD you purchased: Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams

FWR: You currently play drums for both Rosemary Gates and Phil’s Family Lizard, what’s it like being a paid musician? How did you convert your hobby into a paying job?
CS: “It’s the best job in the world because you can do what you want. You’re encouraged to let loose, have fun and get paid for it. Being a musician is addictive, not just the performance but also the whole music industry. I never had intentions of becoming a rock star. It [forming a band] wasn’t a planned thing. I got together with Kelley Tellef, a bass player and another friend; we found Angie (lead singer for the band Rushville Whig) and it just kind of exploded. Things just started rolling and so we just went with it. We performed all over in Indiana’s college towns; we even played gigs in St. Louis, Columbus and Chicago.

FWR: What has been the biggest challenge owning a business(es)?
CS: “I face new challenges constantly with my business. There’s a misconception about being a business-owner; you work more and get paid less. I didn’t realize that I had to do all positions. It’s hard to wear all of the hats, but I enjoy it. It’s no longer like a job; it’s just living, maybe because I’m always working. There are really no wrong or rights in what I’ve done, but lots of learning experiences. I make the best out of what’s in front of me.”

FWR: What do you like best about owning a business?
CS: “It’s very rewarding to know that I’m the driving force making an impact on people’s lives, to know that I’m pleasing a customer. I take a lot of pride in what I do. Providing a product that someone will enjoy for years to come is a big responsibility. I try to read my customers’ personalities to understand what they want and make pieces fit them. That’s what sets me apart from other framing businesses.”