Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Wayne Sheridan, Founder of Situation Brewing Company, located in Edmonton, AL, CA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Edmonton's go-to Brew Pub! Our beers are brewed on-site, just a few feet away from our restaurant. We offer a full and rotating food menu with something for everyone. Whether you're a craft beer aficionado or someone who wants to see what beer can be beyond macro lager, we have the perfect pint for you.
Tell us about yourself
After 20 years in the world of engineering and technology, I developed a serious home brewing habit. I wasn't satisfied with the lack of locally brewed craft beer. When the regulatory change in 2015 prohibited small-scale production, there was no looking back. Seeing people's faces light up as they discovered their new favorite beer, or showing people how that pint was made, makes it all worthwhile.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has to be that we were the first new Edmonton brewery to open in a long time and the ones to convince the City of Edmonton that brewing need not be relegated to industrial space. It was a game-changer for the whole community. It's only been six years since we've opened, but we're already known as one of the "OG's" in Edmonton's craft beer scene, which now has over 15 breweries...and growing!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Since we are also a full restaurant, the pandemic brought a particularly difficult time to the business. Navigating three and a half shutdown and reopen cycles, with corresponding staff layoffs and rehires, was brutal - from a business perspective and especially from a personal impact perspective. Everyone was (or perhaps still is) on their own "front line" of COVID.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Give yourself the job you love; it's your business, after all!
- Rediscover your WHY every day.
- Go easy on yourself.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
You know it's real when you see people posting online dating profile photos from the brewery.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.situationbeer.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3nreN7U
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/situationbeer/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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