Jesse Walters
Relationship Manager, Central Bank Boone County; Co-owner, Comacho Coffee
Age: 28
Hometown:
Boonville.
Years lived in Columbia:
I’ve always commuted into Columbia from Boonville. Sooooo, technically only for two years during part of my college career.
Tell us about your job:
While my main focus is businesses, I act as a single point-of-contact for the customer to Central Bank, whether you’re a business, individual, or family. I’m there to educate on everything the bank has to offer and help pick the best route that will most benefit each person. With my other company, Camacho Coffee, my wife and I have the role to keep the company alive. Our responsibilities include all of the business-related functions, roasting and packaging coffee, marketing and social media, direct sales, and maintaining relationships with the charities.
Who is a mentor in your life and how have they impacted you?
Jim Gann. He’s the director of business engagement for MU Extension Economic Development. We share a lot of the same interests when it comes to entrepreneurship and helping businesses and our local economy. He has an abundance of experience and wisdom, and I learn so much every time we meet. We’ve had multiple conversations throughout the years that has made me think outside the box and enabled me to have some crucial “a-ha” moments as I’ve learned more about myself professionally and personally. He’s one that really exposed me to economic and business development, and it ultimately helped me discover my passion for it.
What are some misconceptions about your job?
I think that a lot of people still have the image that a bank is just where you go to get money. It’s so much more than that! If you’re an individual, family, small business, or large business, Central Bank has a lot to offer.
As for Camacho Coffee — we are not a coffee shop! We supply craft coffee to restaurants, cafés, and businesses, and we do online retail sales. We have coffee subscriptions, sell by the pound, and do sample and promo bags.
What is the single best thing about your job?
Both at the bank and with Camacho Coffee, I get to fulfill my passion every day: helping small businesses. Whether it’s getting them a loan to start up, supplying credit cards for their employees, or just making sure they have great coffee in their office every day, I love being able to say that I helped with the growth of that business.
What motivates you?
If it’s something that I can learn and grown from, it instantly motivates me. I’m always eager to learn from experiences and other people.
What’s your favorite community project?
This past year, my wife and I participated in ForColumbia. It’s amazing to be part of and witness all of the people that come together and help nonprofits and individuals across Columbia. We live in such an amazing community.
What is one business goal you have for 2018 and how do you plan to achieve it?
I would love to see Camacho Coffee grow into a self-sustaining business. We just opened our doors in September 2017. We started it to allow Megan and me to give back to the community that we both grew up in, not to make a ton of money. 10 percent of our profits goes back to local charities, so to see Camacho Coffee provide a couple of jobs for people and make a noticeable differences in the charities would be perfect for 2018.
If you could improve one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I was a better organizer. I catch myself with a to-do list on my phone, a handwritten one on a notepad, and one on my computer, all with different tasks and some overlapping. I strive to have one platform that I work out of, but I haven’t made it there quite yet.
