Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ian Binmore, founder of BowRiverBrewing, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

What's your business and who are your customers?

Craft Beer Brewery - Everyone in Alberta who loves great tasting and highly drinkable award-winning beer. Among many other awards, we just won a Gold Medal in a national competition for the Best Amber Lager In Canada

What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?

I got started in craft beer when I was a university student in Southern California around 1990. I traveled a lot as a Petroleum Engineer and had the opportunity to taste many of the world's great beers at their home breweries. I maintained a serious hobby of brewing great beers for over 25 years. When I sold my oilfield technology business in 2014, my wife and I decided to move back home to Calgary and open our own brewery.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Winning national and local recognition as brewing some of the best beers you can find in Alberta and Canada.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?

Wearing so many different hats at the same time and building a fantastic team to bring our dream to fruition.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Make sure you have a good cash reserve before you start or don't start. Surprises like Covid can ruin a business if you are not prepared to weather the storm or two.
  2. Hire great people - A great attitude combined with a decent skillset and the desire to learn and grow is a wonderful combination. Hire more for aptitude and attitude as many skills can be learned.
  3. Search out good suppliers and work with them to get what you need at a reasonable cost. Many basic services and supplies from 'convenient' vendors cost a lot more than what you will pay if you constantly improve your supply chain. Proactive quality programs are also key to long-term positive results.

Where can people find you?

Website: https://bowriverbrewing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bowriverbrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bowriverbrew

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.