Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael Memsic, co-founder of Sanitas Brewing Co., located in Boulder, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Sanitas Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Boulder, Colorado. We have a beautiful taproom with Boulder's best patio. We provide an incredible space for the Boulder community to come together to celebrate, grow and build. Additionally, we sell our canned beers throughout the Front Range of Colorado. We currently can around 30 unique beers per year with a focus on IPA's, Sours, and Lagers.
Our people are "Live Big Locals," People who love the laid-back, Colorado lifestyle but who also have goals and ambition. They want it all. You can find them alternating between conference calls and hikes - sometimes doing both at the same time. They thrive on relationships and are always on the lookout for new connections - be it to expand their friend group or to open up opportunities. Sanitas people know the value of taking a moment to unwind and appreciating your accomplishments. Relaxing amongst family and friends. Swapping stories. And having a laugh over a beer.
Tell us about yourself
In the early 2000’s while a student at the University of Colorado, I fell in love with a liquid! I know that may sound a little odd, but it happened to me, and I quickly dedicated my professional life to beer! What started as a homebrewing passion led me to an opportunity in the early days at Oskar Blues in Lyons. After getting a glimpse of the industry, I spent the next ten years as a professional brewer chasing the dream to one day own a brewery of my own. In 2013 with my business partner Chris Coyne, we opened Sanitas Brewing Company here in Boulder.
What I didn’t know then that I have learned since those early days of Sanitas, is that my love for a liquid was replaced with a love for teams and community. Don’t get me wrong, I still love beer, but my passion has shifted from the specifics of the liquid to the people that it brings together and the opportunities that it can create within a community. This motivates me every day to explore new opportunities and continue to grow both our micro-community of employees and create a positive impact to our local community!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, my biggest accomplishment is the contribution to the community that I have been given the opportunity to participate in. When I talk about community, I think of multiple layers of community, beginning with our team. The “Micro-Community” is our staff, both current and past. These people will always be part of the Sanitas family. Beyond our team, I think about the community of super fans that make Sanitas special, the ones who are here supporting and routing for us throughout the years. Additionally, Boulder has been my home for over two decades and is a very special place to me; my love of Boulder, of Colorado, and the West as a whole runs deep, and the opportunities that I have had to impact this area in a positive way is something that I am humbled by and proud of on a daily basis!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the most difficult things for me as a business owner is staying in my lane or the concept of “letting go of the vine.” There was a point in time when I was involved with every aspect of our business. Today if I don’t let the rest of the teamwork hard and accomplish their goals independent of me, I will slow them down. And unfortunately, slow the entire company down. This is easy to say, but not easy to do!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Hire professionals! This includes your team, but equally important are lawyers, accountants, and other services. Without an amazing team that will cost money, it is almost impossible to stack up the wins.
Don’t forget why you got into this. And hopefully, remember to have fun.
It will be harder than you think, it will be more rewarding than you think (at least emotionally), and it will take longer than you think.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.sanitasbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanitasBrewing/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanitasbrewing/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelmemsic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-memsic-b5ba5029/
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.
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