Ep. 138 - Global Growth starts with Local Trust - Wally Pinkard

In this episode, Vince Quinn chats with Wally Pinkard, Vice President of Marketing at the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) in Baltimore, about how international business really happens — not just via websites but through deep networks, human connections and cultural fluency. Wally breaks down how his team helps local mid‑Atlantic businesses tap global opportunities, why soft skills and relationships matter in trade, and how you build a global outlook without losing local relevance.

Guest Bio

Wally Pinkard is the Vice President of Marketing at the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), a nonprofit global business network based in Baltimore, Maryland. WTCI works with around 130 corporate members (and many more firms) to support international trade activity in the mid‑Atlantic region through events, fellowships, speaker series and connection‑making. Wally has been with WTCI for over 14 – 15 years, helping build its culture, programs and network.

(Note: Wally also has a fun earlier career note — he created a hip‑hop song that got international distribution.)

Takeaways

• International business isn’t just about exporting goods or sourcing online — it’s about understanding legal, cultural and relational nuances.
• A strong local network + global perspective can give companies an edge: one connection you make today may pay off years later.
• Intentionality beats scale when building networks: smaller, highly connected groups often create deeper value.
• Culture and patience matter: slow, steady growth and purposeful relationship‑building beat rapid but shallow expansion.
• Non‑profit networks like WTCI thrive when members genuinely want to share knowledge (even with “competitors”) — and that spirit enables global good.
• Human conversations still beat generic online research when you’re trying to figure out “what to ask” in new markets.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wally Pinkard & WTCI

02:22 WTCI’s role in international business and the mid‑Atlantic region

04:26 Why soft, human connections matter more than just digital presence

06:14 Learning from others: avoiding costly international mistakes

07:16 The challenge (and advantage) of serving many industries and companies

09:28 Cross‑industry learning: e.g., defence industry learning from apparel industry

10:45 Building relationships intentionally — not just mass invites

12:23 The culture at WTCI that enables collaboration over competition

15:00 The value of incremental progress instead of rapid scaling

17:33 Keeping network intimacy while still driving impact

18:12 Wally’s earlier hip‑hop track “Land of the Gun” and its story

19:47 Where to find WTCI online and how to get involved

20:23 Closing and thanks

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