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GET TO KNOW...
Christopher Hunt, owner of
midwest media & marketing
01. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Well - when I was a little kid I actually wanted to be 3 things. probably all at once. my parents were huge oklahoma state fans - they took me to all the games - even at a very young age. and I loved it. so I really wanted to be a football player first. that didn't work out.
I also wanted to be michael jackson. like really really bad. I had the jacket. and wore it all the time. that didn't work out either.
and lastly - I wanted to be a drummer. I have always loved drums. I got my first set when was 5 years old. I actually still play the drums - and even drummed professionally. I guess that worked out better.
02. What was your first job?
My first job was cooking fries at a local Bar-B-Que restaurant - in my hometown of Midwest City, OK. I still remember you cook the fries for 4 minutes.
03. What do you like to do in your free time?
What free time. between owning my own business - and having two small children - there isn't a lot of free time. I do like to sit in a pool and have people bring cold beverages. that is pretty fun.
04. What's the best advice you've ever received?
Wow - I have received so much. I guess what has shaped me the most was my dad telling me how his dad hated his job - but he did what he had to do for his family. very noble. that has always stuck with me - and I told myself at an early age that I was going to do a job that i truly loved. I didn't want to go through my adult years being miserable. My journey took a while - but I am so happy I love my job - and get to do something everyday that I truly enjoy.
05. How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
We are in our 4th year at midwestmedia. we are unique in that it is a "mother/son" operation. most people would probably cringe at the thought of working with their mom - but my mom and I are different I suppose. It is a great relationship - and we both bring skill sets that compliment each other. when our careers hit a point that we could open midwestmedia - we just went for it. it was just the two of us - and we have grown from there. it has been a blast - and I am so happy with where we are now.
06. Why do you choose to operate your business in Oklahoma as opposed to somewhere else?
I really want OKC to be a place where my kids are proud to say they are from. I didn't grow up that way. In fact - I moved. I lived in both Nashville, TN - and Manhattan, NY. Both great towns. But my family is from here - and it was really important for me to be around them. When I moved back - I could see a difference in Oklahoma City - and really just wanted to be a part of its growth. It has a lot of momentum right now - and I hope that our business can be an asset. We are in the Plaza District - and it really represents the type of community we want to be a part of. A neighborhood community that has blossomed organically. We really love it - and I hope is that Oklahoma City continues to keep their eye on the ball, and make smart decisions as it progresses through it's Renaissance era.
07. Why do you think its important to keep it local?
Keeping it Local is what makes a town unique - different - and just an overall cool place to work and live. We need as many locally owned businesses as possible. Every town has the usual suspects of business - and American is increasingly looking the same - no matter where you are. I kinda think that is a shame. So it is up to the local businesses to create the real OKC. We are starting to get that way. Places like where our business is located - the Plaza District - is on that page. And I think districts like the 9th street district downtown - or the Paseo District are great places that OKC should be proud of and support. We need more of these areas to pop up.
I really want to see someone come in and revitalize the 23rd street district. So much possibilities exist there. I think that it could and should be better than Brookside in Tulsa. I am just not seeing it get done fast enough. We need to make that happen. I really hope someone sees the potential.
08. What locally owned business (other than your own) could you not live without?
I happen to think Thai Kitchen downtown is as good as it gets. the aesthetics make you kinda cautious - but once you go in - the food is fantastic. plus - they are sooo nice. I just love that place.
09. Our Facebook fans want to know: What is it that sets you apart from the national chains and promotes loyal, repeat customers?
Really the way we interact with our clients. we bend over backwards to make them happy - and deliver a very high end product that they are proud of. we have fun - and try to make the experience fun for our clients. we have seen our client retention rate stay in the 90th percentile.
10. Our Twitter followers want to know: What drives you to keep doing what you do?
I truly love what I do - and am so passionate about it. work does not feel like work.