When James Oneill, founder and coordinator of the Columbia Credit Union McKibbin legacy classic golf tournament, asked us to Podcast from the event , We thought it would be a lot fun, a great way to meet local small business owners and of course drink some beer. But it tured out to be so much more.    In Season 5 of the Business Over Beer podcast we share with you the story of what John McKibbin meant to this community from his wife Nancy, his daughters Jennifer and Megan, and others that knew him.  He lived and died as a man of service, with his family and community at the forefront of everthing he did. We felt a real kindred spirit with John and the whole McKibbin family.    You will learn about this great golf tournament, the causes that it supports and what make it a can't miss event year in and year out.   We also got to interview some great local business leaders like the CEOs of Columbia Credit Union, Vesta Hospitality, International Graphics and Nameplate and Catworks Construction.    And speaking of the beer. You certainly won't want to miss Angie’s Mystery Keg, it turned out to be one of our all time favorites, but were we able to guess it????   When you sit down a share a beer with great people, you learn there is nothing we can't accomplish together as a community.   Prost!

Business Over Beer

Business Over Beer Season 5 Preview | Community, Family, Golf and Beer

On this episode of Business Over Beer, we’re live from Taps Beer Reserve in Ridgefield Washington for the 3rd annual Hilinski’s Hope Foundation Fundraiser.     Hilinski’s Hope was born out of tragedy when the Tyler Hilinski, then the quarterback of the Washington State University Football Team, took his own life.  Hilinski’s Hope promotes  awareness and education of mental health and wellness for student athletes all over the country. And now for the second straight year has organized college football mental health week with over 60 schools participating.    We were so happy to be part of this event hosted by our good friend Kevin Summers of Taps Beer Reserve, and amazing business owner who is doing so much for our community.   Also, October 10th is world mental health day and it is important that we continue to normalize the conversation around mental health, mental wellness and mental illness.   Prost!   Craft Beer We're Drinking: Fortside Brewing - Vancouver, WA Defresh Mode IPA, 6.6% ABV, 48 IBU "We’re kicking off fresh hop season with a beer that will ‘never let you down again’. We like to think ‘everything counts’ in this beer, from the foundation of Pilsner and light caramel malts to the four layers of flavor and aroma hops. A pint of Defresh Mode is like your own ‘personal Jesus’."   Aslan Brewing Company - Bellingham, WA Totality Pale Ale, 5.4% ABV, 30 IBU "Lime, orange bitters, and evergreen flavors from Barbe Rouge, Centennial, and Huell Melon hops."   Goodlife Brewing Company - Bend, OR Sippy Cup Hazy Pale Ale, 6.4% ABV, 35 IBU "Sippy Cup is a hazy yet brightly golden color, Pale Ale, with a thick creamy head, bursting with juicy hop flavor and aroma. Melon, pineapple, black tea, and citrus notes are upfront in the aroma. A light, medium-bodied mouthfeel finishes with a burst of citrus/tropical flavors and a very subtle bitterness."       Episode Links: Hilinski's Hope Taps Beer Reserve ESPN/E60 Documentary: Hilinski's Hope

[BONUS EPISODE] LIVE Hilinski‘s Hope Fundraiser at Taps Beer Reserve

Business Over Beer Episode #89 with Tara Tinsley, Part 2 This week on Business Over Beer, Country Musician, Tara Tinsley, returns for part 2 of her interview. In this episode, Tara talks about the evolution of her writing, how writing songs merely about pain and struggle no longer inspire her. Rather, she is writing about finding answers to the struggles and finding inspiration in the things that really matter in life. As a result, she is writing more Christian Music as a way to show gratitude for her life and to create music with messages of hope for her audience.   Prost!   How Trauma Can Inspire Your Work  When Tara Tinsley looked out her window while living in Tacoma, WA, and saw a man lying in the snow, she knew deep down something wasn't right. She walked down to the waterfront and found the man had taken his own life.  She shared this story with us recently on The Business Over Beer Podcast, and this experience is what pushed her to create "Restored", a YouTube series filled with songs of hope and words of encouragement. Our Impact On Others One aspect of that experience that really stood out was that while she never knew this man, was never a part of his life, now, he would be a part of her life forever. This is a stark example, but the fact is, we can't always know how we're impacting another's life and there will be people that come in and out of our lives who make a difference in who we are. The opposite is true as well, we are impacting others, even when we don't realize it.   "You can have fame and money, but you can't take those with you when you go," Tara explains, "but you can leave your mark. And, by a mark, I mean helping people and changing lives so they can help people and change lives." Finding meaning in the stress Trauma, pain, stress, those are all constants in our human existence. The levels fluctuate, but they are always there, and they can be a source of chronic disease and unhealthiness.  In Tara's case, this trauma was thrust upon her unexpectedly, without warning, and not by choice. As a small business owner, you've chosen this path, so the stress and pain and trauma associated with it are just part of what you've signed up for. Of course, that does not diminish the potential effects of that stress, therefore it's imperative that you find a way to deal with it so it doesn't destroy your health.  One tool you can use is to assign meaning to your stress: Why do you care about it in the first place? Shawn Achor, happiness researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage, says that when we think about the highest moments of stress in our lives, they are often the experiences that have made us who we are. We are taught that stress is bad and we often try to flee or diminish stress in our lives. But stress can actually be enhancing if you actually acknowledge it, reconnect to the meaning, and channel your stress response toward that meaning. Stress is inevitable, but its effects on you are not.    Tara assigned meaning to her trauma, using it to create something that would help others who are struggling, to understand the importance of forgiveness, and to bring her closer to God.   Be Kind All of this is a reminder that we humans are all in this thing together. We need love, support and guidance and you never know what pain or struggle someone may be in the midst of. Most of that is silent and guarded. But when we remember that we need each other for survival, when we create safe places for people to be vulnerable and promote wellness and healing, we are making the world a better place.   And in the end, isn't that the point of running a small business, to have a positive impact in the lives of your customers and in your community.    Angie's Mystery Beer: Bombastic Brewing - Hayden, ID Shiver Coffee Stout, 10.5% ABV Proudly brewed with Thomas Hammer Coffee. Silky but bold imperial stout with dark chocolate flavors mixing with Thomas Hammer Coffee to create a delightful espresso flavor. A sipper for dessert or breakfast, if so inclined.   Episode Links: Tara Tinsley Restored Faith (Official Music Video) Johnny Cash covers "HURT" Lou Alexander on The BOB Get Back Back To Me (Official Music Video) Join The Business Over Beer Patreon

#89. | Tara Tinsley, Part 2 | How Trauma Can Inspire Your Work

This week on Business Over Beer, we welcome Country Music Star, Tara Tinsley to the program. Tara was shy girl who decided at a young age that she wanted to be a singer. She got her start by signing the National Anthem at a local motocross race, and turned that into a nearly 20 year music career.  In this episode, we talk about the business of being a musician and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry. We were fortunate enough to have Tara play us a few songs, first up, an acoustic version of one of her newest singles, Faith.   Prost!   Our Guest's Craft Beer Offering: Manhattan Project Beer Co. - Dallas, TX Black Matter, Coffee Stout, 8.6% ABV, 25 IBU "From first sniff to the finish, the coffee is evident, but not so evident that it is overpowering. You will also discover chocolate, cinnamon, and even a touch of vanilla in both the flavor and aroma. It has a full, silky body with medium carbonation."   Episode Links: Tara Tinsley Faith (Official Music Video) Dingonek: The Jungle Walrus Heathen Brewing  

#88 | Tara Tinsley, Part 1 | The Business of Music: Having Faith in a Rapidly Changing Industry

Business Over Beer Episode #87. with Lou Alexander, Part 2 Returning for Part 2 of his interview on the Business Over Beer Podcast is Lou Alexander, Motivational Speaker and Founder of Big A88 Jogger apparel.  In this episode, we learn how Lou used his football experience to approach his Sales process. Also, we learn what launched him into the world of professional speaking, and more about his mission of helping people reach their full potential. Lou truly is working to make the world a better place by bringing his community together, through social media, through his Big A88 Jogger run club and, by spreading a message of how to find happiness no matter your circumstances.   Prost!   The One Thing No One Will Tell You About Authenticity The word "authenticity" gets thrown around a lot these days, especially in the marketing world. We hear that brands cannot be successful unless they are being "authentic". And when Motivational Speaker and the Founder of Big A88 Jogger, Lou Alexander, joined us on The Business Over Beer podcast recently, he, too, said that authenticity is the key to making a positive impact on those around you.   You might think that authenticity is simply being yourself, and what could be easier than just being you. But, the one thing no one will ever tell you is that finding your true authentic self, and for small business owners, establishing an authentic brand, is not easy.   Be Fearless The truth is, being authentic is really hard. You have to decide how you want to show up in the world, and you have to work at it every day. When we were children, we approached the world without fear, no understanding of consequences, just absorbing the world around us, and learning though our experiences.  But somewhere along the line, we lose those child-like instincts, and life tells us that we are supposed to act a certain way because of the color of our skin, the house we live in, the car we drive, or the level of education we've received. Society provides labels for everything and everyone around us and are assigned according to what we see.  Labels prevent authenticity.  And, the funny thing is, we pay extra for certain labels because we believe in what that label represents, but we lose ourselves in the process. The label restricts and constrains us from being our true self. We stop learning, we stop experiencing the world around us as if we were a child doing it for the first time. Instead, we make assumptions, and allow others to influence how we think and what we know.    Authenticity Lies in Your Energy Close your eyes. How do you feel?  Are you happy or unhappy? Are you calm or stressed? What's at the foundation of that feeling, does it come from something in your control or out of your control? Would you be satisfied if others judged you based on that feeling? Let's say you feel unhappy. Are you unhappy because you can't get the car you want or because you don't have food on the table? If the cause of your unhappiness, or stress, or insert some other negative emotion here, is something that is in your control, then it's merely a notion you are placing on yourself.  As a result, that's the energy you carry with you. When you close your eyes and focus on how you truly want to show up in the world, the energy you give off to others, without apology, without pretense, is your authentic self. Others may try to label you, but that doesn't matter because those who try to label you no longer serve your ability to be impactful. And by putting your focus on the energy you give off, you have more awareness of the energy of others, the energy you are looking to receive. You stop looking with your eyes, and start feeling for connection with humanity.  That's authenticity. That's impactful. And it's not easy.      Angie's Mystery Beer: Barrel Mountain Brewing - Battle Ground, WA Trail Builder Imperial IPA, 9% ABV, 100 IBU "Pungent hop aroma with a unique fruitiness. Tropical fruit and citrus zest. Resinous bitterness with a dry, clean mouthfeel."   Episode Links:  Lou Alexander Big A88 Jogger Securing the Win Business Over Beer Patreon  

#87. | Lou Alexander, Part 2 | The One Thing No One Will Tell You About Authenticity

Business Over Beer Episode #86 with Lou Alexander, Part 1 The Business Over Beer podcast welcomes Motivational Speaker, Lou Alexander of Authentic Impact, and Founder of the Big A88 Jogger apparel line.  Despite the hardships that came from growing up in the inner city, Lou had an amazing family foundation laid by his mother, he found football at the age of 15, and was highly recruited to play division 1 college football. Lou accepted a scholarship to play for Syracuse University, was the first in his family to graduate college, and went on to play in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted Free Agent.  Now with a lifetime of experience to draw on, Lou is sharing what he has learned from his journey, and is focused on helping people become their biggest selves at whatever they do.  Prost!   Motivation vs. Cultivation: Which one will springboard your small business to the next level? We all face challenges in our lives, we all have ups and downs, and as small business owners, those highs and lows can come in rapid succession. Also, we all know that personal development and growth can come out of hardship. We often learn more from our failures than from our successes, and we can use that failure as motivation to achieve success.  But when Lou Alexander joined us recently on The Business Over Beer podcast, he shared a very unique perspective on how to take your small business, your leadership skills and your growth mindset to another level.  Motivation or Cultivation? Small business owners and entrepreneurs are naturally highly motivated and have a deep-seated passion for solving problems. As a motivated leader, you work on improving the skill sets you already have, you work to be better in your current environment.  But is that motivation enough, or is there another level that can help you achieve even greater success? Yes, it's cultivation. To be cultivated means that you want to acquire new skills, new qualities and new habits. Cultivation is about growing something bigger outside of your motivation. Cultivation is motivation coupled with curiosity and an openness to ask for help in order to learn new ways of doing things. Unfortunately, our motivation can get in the way. We are motivated by how others view us, motivated not to appear weak, lost or not in control of every aspect of our business and lives. As a result, our egos can restrict cultivation.  The Springboard Small business owners rely on their motivation to keep at the daily grind of building a business. We are constantly looking for the spot where our product or service fits in the marketplace, and what are all the right elements that will launch our business forward. We're looking for a springboard and it's your motivation that gets you to the springboard. For many of us, that's enough. Once we find the springboard, we are content, we have a feeling that we made it, that we have nothing else to learn, and it's enough to feed our motivation. Most definitely you can be a strong leader and build a successful business by merely tapping into your motivation.  But what Lou talked about with us is next level leadership, next level entrepreneurship for those who are ready to take it on, and be willing to admit that they don't have all the answers.   Are you ready to be cultivated? Sticking with the springboard analogy: if the springboard is motivation, understanding the mechanics of how the springboard works is cultivation.  For example, as a kid from the inner city, who lost his father at an early age, Lou had plenty of motivation to improve his circumstances. So when he had the opportunity to attend Syracuse University on a football scholarship, he knew that could be the springboard to a better life. When he arrived on campus, he felt like he had made it. He was the first in his family to make it to college, he broke the cycle, and for Lou at that time, it was good enough.   But what Lou understands now, that he didn't know then, and that many of us do not consider when we are launching our small business forward is, if you don't know how the springboard works, and you just blindly jump, you may get launched in the wrong direction and end up hurting yourself. "I didn't take the mechanics of getting to the next level seriously. I didn't understand what was under the spring board to make me launch, all I knew was it was a launch pad," Lou said. "I didn't take the time know how it actually worked, and I got hit in the mouth."    Are you willing to Dig Deep? So what does this motivation vs. cultivation mean for small business owners? Dig deep and stay motivated enough to find the springboard that can launch your business to the next level. Dig deeper to understand how this springboard works so you know where you're headed.  Dig deepest by always looking for ways learn and acquire new skills; do not rest on your laurels and simply be content with who you are today; take the finite details personal.  Small business ownership is not race with a start and finish line. You may think you've made it, but you haven't, there's always another level if you're willing to cultivate it.    Guest Beer: Golden State Cider - Sebastopol, CA Jamaica, 5.8% ABV "​Inspired by the rich tradition of Agua Frescas, Jamaica reimagines this familiar taste from a dry cider perspective. Jamaica is a naturally pink cider made with tropical hibiscus flowers, which create fragrant aromas that lead to fresh berry flavors and a tart, round finish."   Episode Links: Big A88 Jogger Lou Alexander The Monster of Morbach  

#86 | Lou Alexander, Part 1 | Motivation vs. Cultivation: Which one will springboard your small business to the next level?

Business Over Beer episode #85. with Katie Zink, Part 2  Returning for Part 2 of her interview on the Business Over Beer Podcast is Katie Zink, Founder and Principal Consultant with Social Construct Consulting.  In this episode we delve into the great work Katie is doing with organizations to create and implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) plans, focusing on companies that truly care about these issues. At Social Construct Consulting, her effort is not in convincing people that DE&I is important. She is not breaking down the doors of white CEOs demanding they give up their seat. Her work focuses on companies that want to do better in these areas, who recognize they will be better for it because it helps their employees do better at work, enjoy their work, and will create a safer and more comfortable place for more people at work.  She aims to make things better for everybody, but it will take everybody. Prost!   Making equity benefit the already widely benefitted How do we convince the people who already have the power and privilege that improved diversity, equity and inclusion are good things for them and their businesses? That question was asked to Katie Zink, Founder of Social Construct Consulting, during the latest episode of the Business Over Beer Podcast by Co-Host Jonathan Kaylor.  The question is a reasonable one when you think about all the calls to give more people of color, women, LBGTQ, and other underrepresented groups a "seat at the table". The underlying issue, as Jonathan noted in the episode, is that those in a position to give up these seats are not interested in relinquishing any of their power or privilege because they do not see any benefit for themselves.  Katie calmly responded, so you're asking, "how do we make equity benefit the already widely benefitted?" Instantly, Jonathan realized that he had asked the wrong question. And more importantly, his mindset and the questions he had been asking himself, too, about how to advocate for equity, were also wrong.   We should not be looking to make a business case for DE&I, trying to measure how it will improve the bottom line. As Katie explains, there is no silver bullet solution, and those who do not understand why this is important for companies, probably just don't care. Even the word "inclusion" is being interrogated because it centers around dominant culture as well. Someone has to do the including, right? One reason so many diversity initiatives fail at companies is because the focus is on hiring underrepresented groups into the existing culture. The only way to address the root cause is to first change the culture, to build a new table, and create a collectivist mindset.    Collective Culture Yes collectivism challenges the people who have that power who don't want to give it to anybody. Yes, collectivism requires a relinquishing of power. Yes, collectivism is counter to our current crony capitalist system. No collectivism is not socialism or communism. A collective culture is everyone's job and the purpose is to serve a collective organization, not just certain individuals and real change will not happen by trying to convince the one percenters. This becomes a grass roots initiative, with real entrepreneurs and small business owners, who understand the gap and want change. This is what entrepreneurs do, they pioneer new spaces, new thoughts, and don't wait to be invited to someone else's table. Small business owners must feel empowered to advocate for change, and know that we do have all the power with a collectivist mindset.    Angie's Mystery Beer: Browar Witnica, S.A. - Poland Black Boss Porter, 9.4% ABV "Brown-colored porter falling into a dark ruby. The foam is very durable, the smell is clearly caramel. The taste is dominated by burnt caramel with a noticeable and moderate bitterness and sweetness."   Episode Links: Katie Zink Social Construct Consulting Join The BOB Crew Koken Market Colorado Native Moose Drool Renewal Workshop Basecamp Controversy Community Call to Action Marcus Carter  

#85. | Katie Zink, Part 2 | Want equity in the workplace? Don't focus on benefiting the already widely benefitted?

Business Over Beer Episode #84. with Katie Zink, Part 1  On this episode of the Business Over Beer Podcast, we have Katie Zink, Founder of Social Construct Consulting. Katie focuses her work at the intersection of employee activism and culture, where she helps organizations create an initial Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) plan and works closely with them on how they're going to make culture change happen.  In the episode, Katie gives us her definition of corporate culture, the different components that make up culture, and how perks impact culture. Also, we discuss navigating proper cultural language, privilege of dominant culture, and creating pathways to success for all.    Prost!   Our Guest's Craft Beer Offering: GoodLife Brewing - Bend, OR Sippy Cup Hazy Pale Ale, 6.4% ABV, 35 IBU "A hazy yet brightly golden color, Pale Ale, with a thick creamy head, bursting with juicy hop flavor and aroma. Utilizing a yeast strain from Imperial Organic Yeast, we used a light malt bill with fruit-forward hops Galaxy, Mosaic, and El Dorado. Melon, pineapple, black tea, and citrus notes are upfront in the aroma. A light, medium-bodied mouthfeel finishes with a burst of citrus/tropical flavors and a very subtle bitterness."   Episode Links: Katie Zink Social Construct Consulting The Farmer City Monster Join The BOB Patreon Koken Market Raphael House University of Colorado  

#84. | Katie Zink, Part 1 | At the Intersection of Employee Activism and Culture

The Business Over Beer podcast welcomes back Iggy Odighizuwa, Chief of Operations at Systems-By-Design, and Head Transformation Coach at Tri-180 Coaching.   2020 challenged, and clarified, Iggy's mission and values. Iggy hired a coach to help him grow his business, which did not help him produce the results he needed. So, he developed his own client acquisition system which was so successful, that the coach he had hired licensed it from him so the coach could use it with his own clients. Iggy shares the story of how that coach then sued Iggy for the ownership rights to the program, which he was able to successfully defend in court, and ultimately led to the launch of his new business, Systems-By-Design.  In this episode, we learn that small business success comes from perseverance and fortitude, following your core values, and taking advantage of opportunities as they come up, even if the timing doesn't fit into your overall plan.  Prost!   The 2 cornerstones of an Entrepreneur Mindset Small Business Ownership can be very overwhelming, especially early on. You have to wear every hat, you have to work inside your business, and find the time to work on your business. Money is tight. Time is even tighter. And it can be very challenging to stay focused on keeping a healthy mindset while still kicking the can down the road.  Iggy Odighizuwa, Chief of Operations for software consulting firm, Systems-By-Design, recently joined us on the Business Over Beer Podcast, and he talked about his experience taking those first steps into Entrepreneurship and shared with us the 2 cornerstones of an Entrepreneur Mindset: Impact and Leverage.    Impact When developing your business model, any small business owner must be able to answer this question: How can I make the greatest impact on those I am looking to serve? The question is not how can I impact the most people, or how do I satisfy everyone.  Having the greatest impact is about understanding your specialty, what is your corner of the market and knowing how you are going to help the people you say you want to help. As a true professional, your impact needs to be focused outward. We often time get caught in the trap of making it all about ourselves and focusing on how it impacts me or my business.  Considering "greatest impact" for those you serve requires you to be flexible in how you approach your business model. The delivery system for creating the greatest impact may be different that the one you are using today or what you originally envisioned when you launched your business.  But when you clearly define your target market, and commit yourself to greatest impact, then you can use it to maximum advantage: leverage.    Leverage  For a healthy entrepreneur mindset, a second question every small business owner needs to answer is where do I have leverage or where can I create leverage? Leverage serves as your compass and creates freedom and flexibility. You can leverage your professionalism, your specific expertise, your values as small business owner. The clarity you create around these leverage points helps you draw your ideal customer.  When you know where you have leverage, you can determine how you want to use it. Charge a premium price. Acquire more clients. Acquire better clients. Grow your team. Or you can do what Iggy did, and share the leverage. Iggy has a well documented personal training system that gets results for his clients. But as just one person, he has a cap on the number of people he can help. So he could have leveraged his expertise by bringing in a team of other trainers under him to expand his reach. But eventually each trainer would max out and burn out the same way he did.  So he had to reconsider greatest impact, which was to take his program online. Doing that leveraged his system and expertise, and differentiated himself from all the unqualified trainers who were corrupting the space. He created leverage for his clients, too, by providing a permanent solution that they could keep coming back to in order to maintain their results. And since the system taught his clients how to do it themselves, Iggy could focus more of his time on bringing in more clients that he could help get healthy. Talk about leveraging your expertise for greatest impact.  Now, he is teaching other fitness professionals how to do the same thing, giving them added leverage to create successful business, and as a result, exponentially increasing his impact on those who need help getting healthy.  Leverage gives you the freedom to say no to certain prospects or activities. It gives you the freedom to put the proper value on your product or service. And Intentionally applying leverage in the right areas empowers yourself, your team, and the people you serve, creating a better life for everyone your business touches.    Angie's Mystery Beer: San Tan Brewing Co. - Chandler, AZ Moon Juice Galactic IPA, 7.3% ABV, 65 IBU "An out-of-this-world IPA crafted with tons of Galaxy and Nelson-Sauvin hops that transcends all Earthly pleasures, emitting an aroma of peach, apricot and tropical fruit."   Episode Links: Systems-By-Design Tri-180 Coaching Join The BOB Crew

#83. with Iggy Odighizuwa, Part 2 | The 2 Cornerstones of an Entrepreneur Mindset

Business Over Beer Podcast episode #82. with Iggy Odighizuwa, Part 1 On this episode of the Business Over Beer podcast, we welcome Iggy Odighizuwa, Head Transformation Coach at Tri-180 Coaching and Chief of Operations at Systems-By-Design. Iggy got into the health and fitness space training athletes at a university, and then built a large personal training business doing upwards of 70 - 100 sessions per week. Facing burn out and a business model that was clearly unsustainable, Iggy shifted to an online coaching model, systemizing his training program to be more efficient, more sustainable for himself, and providing better result for his clients.   Iggy then brought the systemization expertise he built to Systems-By-Design, a software consulting company, specializing in marketing and creating systems for client acquisition, content delivery and business operations for health and fitness professionals who are looking to build their business online. While their focus on the health and fitness space, the application of their software can be used for nearly any small business.  "You learn so much more about yourself as an entrepreneur. You realize what's important to you. You have to make sacrifices to get to where you want to be and forces you to develop your character and grow as a human being, so you can be the man and be the leader that you need to be to take your business where you want to go." - Iggy Odighizuwa, COO Systems-By-Design   Our Guest's Craft Beer Offering: Black Raven Brewing Company - Redmond, WA Wisdom Seeker, Double IPA, 8.9% ABV, 70 IBU "Folklore and mythology present the raven as an omniscient creature with special powers and abilities. The Wisdom Seeker Double IPA gets its special powers from an enormous amount of hops and malted barley. Brewed in the West coast Double IPA style, this bold brew features massive citrus and herbal hop additions and a full hop aroma. Seek your wisdom cautiously; this hop feast packs a punch."   Episode Links: Systems-By-Design Tri-180 Coaching Black Raven Trickster IPA on The BOB Osa Odighizuwa 2021 NFL Draft 3rd Round Pick

#82. | Iggy Odighizuwa, Part 1 | You gotta get it in where you can fit it in

Business Over Beer episode #81. with Loowit Brewing Company  Welcome back to part 2 of our interview at Loowit Brewing Company with Co-Owner Thomas Poffenroth, Head Brewer, Landon Smith, and Sales Manager, Jason Green.  In this episode, we dig a little deeper into the background of each of our guests, how the Loowit Brewing Company got its start and how these guys all ended up here together. Also, we get into the business of brewing, discussing self distribution versus hiring a distributor partner, the importance of supporting local, as well as how tough it can be to jump in on niche beer trends.   In the end, we learned that Loowit is gonna do what Loowit does. And, we're happy about that, because we love what they do, it's great for beer drinkers and great for our community.  Prost!   Staying true to yourself is always a good small business strategy Finding your way as a new small business owner is really challenging. For us at TH3 Entertainment (the parent company of Business Over Beer), we are still refining our business model and have gone back and forth on various strategies.  One of the temptations is to put all your focus on trends and fads. Don't get me wrong, understand the short and long term trends of your business, your industry and the broader market is a crucial piece of running a successful small business. Moreover, understanding the difference between a trend and something that's trendy, is an important distinction.   In our latest episode, Loowit Brewing Co-Owner, Thomas Poffenroth, talked about the trend curve in brewing, and how being too far ahead of the curve can be just as bad as being behind the curve. Thomas says one of his biggest fears is becoming irrelevant, a fear that so many of us small business owners can relate to, and, if you are not careful, one that can easily send you off track chasing the latest shiny objects.  So as a small business owner, when deciding whether or not to put in your hard earned time and money to ride the wave of the latest trend, the first thing to ask yourself is if you are being true to yourself. Don't change your business model if it means changing what you're all about at your core. Follow the trends that align with your business model and your mission. If the trend turns out to be a fad and dies out quickly, you will be left with a product that still makes sense and you will likely still have some demand for it within your customer base.  But if you chase a trend that is counter to what you do at your core, even if you get the timing right, you may struggle to find a market, your current customers may not want it, and the new customer acquisition costs for something that is misaligned with your business can turn the opportunity into a liability.   In the end, take Loowit's advice and keep focused on doing what it is that you do, and don't be tempted to chase a brass ring that's not the right fit for your fingers.    Angie's Mystery Beer: Loowit Brewing - Vancouver, WA Mount St. Helles, Helles Lager, 4.8 ABV, 21 IBU "A traditional German Lager made with Skagit Valley malts and NW Hop german varietal hops. Clean and crisp, this is the perfect beer for the season."    Episode Links: Loowit Brewing Coolest F-ing Corner in Vancouver Hallertau Mittelfrüh Kitchen Nightmares Gordon Ramsey Captured By Porches ProBrewer Maletis Beverage Business Over Beer Patreon  

#81. | Loowit Brewing Company, Part 2 | Staying true to yourself is always a good small business strategy

On this episode of the Business Over Beer podcast, we are lucky enough to be at Loowit Brewing Company, speaking with Co-Owner, Thomas Poffenroth, Head Brewer, Landon Smith and Sales Manager, Jason Green.  Thomas, and his longtime friend and Co-Owner, Devon Bray, were tired of going into Portland for great beer. So their idea was simple: 1. Open THE brewery serving the Washington side of the Columbia River, And 2. Brew great beer.   Now, Vancouver and Southwest Washington have become its own unique beer destination, no longer standing in the shadow of its neighbor to the south, and frankly, where the best beer on the planet is being brewed. As one of the true OGs of the North Bank, Loowit has continued to operate out of the same location in Downtown Vancouver, WA since 2012. And, make no mistake, it was Loowit who was at the forefront of the craft beer movement in Southwest Washington.    Prost!   The right way to find opportunity in adversity In the 20+ years since the internet revolution, it seems there is nearly nothing that hasn't already been done before in some form or fashion. Try getting your first choice of an email address, a social media handle, or a website address if you want to know what I mean.   In a growing industry like craft beer, with so many new products coming out constantly, and worldwide, imagine the challenge to create a new beer name that has never been done before. And if you do choose a product name that's been done before and it infringes on someone else's trademark, you got problems. That's what happened to Loowit Brewing Company with their flagship beer, Shadow Ninja, in 2015. This beer defined their brand and had become so much a part of their identity, even being called "The Ninja Brewery" by some of their super fans. So when Loowit received a cease and desist letter from another brewery stating that it was infringing on the other brewery's trademark, it was an understandably crushing feeling and, at first, they just couldn't see how they could move ahead without their flagship. They could have fought it, but as Co-Owner Thomas Poffenrock mentioned to us, when you have a trademark, it's your right and responsibility to defend the mark. Ultimately, fighting it would have been wasted energy that would be better spent on how to move forward. Interestingly, they certainly wouldn't have imagined back then that they'd actually be thankful that it happened.    A blessing in disguise After the initial shock wore off, Loowit knew they had to try and turn this adversity into something positive. But how? What they know now, that they didn't know then, was that the beer was ready for a refresh. This "crushing blow" was actually an opportunity to upgrade their brand and make a splash with the a re-launch.  Which they did. Their new flagship, Shadow Shinobi, was launched as "same beer, new name." They released a comic book about the experience, and as a result, sales of the beer increased and their brand was revitalized.   The lesson here is twofold Number 1, when an apparent crushing blow is dealt to your business, do not fold under the adversity. Be careful not to waste your time, energy and money sulking, pointing fingers, or looking for someone else to blame. Instead, believe that it is happening for a reason. Do not use it as an excuse to show anything other than resiliency and look for the opportunity within that challenge to improve your business.   Second, don't wait for a crushing blow before you look for ways to refresh your brand, your products or your business. Complacency is one of the great threats to any business, and it's an unseen threat, that oftentimes doesn't reveal itself until outside conditions bring it to the surface. So build into your normal practice ways you could blow things up a little that could reinvent the way you operate. Not that you should blow up your business on any kind of frequent basis, but thinking about, and discussing, new ways to look at your business can help you stay fresh, current, and relevant in a very crowded marketplace. And, it's way better that you have control of any explosions, instead of waiting for a cease and desist letter that forces your hand.    Guest Beer: Loowit Brewing Co. - Vancouver, WA Gamma Ray IPA, 6.9% ABV, 67 IBU Modern West Coast IPA, very aromatic with a dankness in the aroma and on the palate, and flavors of tangerine and mandarin orange. Brewed with strata, cascade and idaho 7 hops.    Episode Links: Loowit Brewing Philip Reardon the Ten-Eyed Man Loowit Changes the name of their flagship to Shadow Shinobi Storm Shadow IIPA Breakside Brewing OSU Food Science and Fermentation  

#80. | Loowit Brewing Company, Part 1 | The right way to find opportunity in adversity

Business Over Beer Podcast Episode #79. | Columbia Credit Union and EcoDigital Media, Part 3  As we conclude our trilogy with the Co-founders of EcoDigital Media, Kimberly Brecko and Randy Short, and Columbia Credit Union's Marc Timm, Chief Lending Officer, and Joe Storm, Director of Commercial Lending, it is clear why these four individuals came on the show together.  Business is truly about creating mutually beneficial relationships, and the greatest success we can have, both personally and professionally, is by adding value. It's understood that a successful business must add value to its customers, but make no mistake, customers can, and should, add value for its vendors. Through mutual success and true partnership, you transcend "business" and achieve community. Prost!   2 perspectives on keeping a long term focus for small business owners In this episode our guests offer 2 unique perspectives on the importance of staying focused on the long term. As a small business owner, assigning a feeling a permanence to whatever you are going through today, regardless of whether it's good times or tough times, is a sure fire recipe for getting stuck, and will hinder your ability to achieve your goals.   Ride the waves, but watch the horizon Marc Timm, Chief Lending Officer at Columbia Credit Union, uses an ocean analogy. Whether you are swimming or surfing or sailing, it's important to keep your eyes on the horizon. Yes, in the ocean, and in business, we have waves crashing down on us constantly. It is important to remember that those waves are normal, they are expected, and they create daily, sometimes hourly, ups and downs. But those waves are not permanent, in fact, nothing is permanent and you can overcome the challenges put in front of you. In his book, The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek says that no one wins or loses business, you are either ahead or behind, and the target is constantly moving. Circumstances change, Markets change, technology changes, people change. Fight the waves with everything you have today then put it behind you. As Joe Storm, Director of Commercial Lending for Columbia Credit Union, says, no matter what happens today, we have another shot at it tomorrow. Small business owners must take the approach that there is no finish line, keep your eyes on the horizon, it's there to keep you on course while you battle waves.    Partner for life? For Kimberly Brecko, Co-Founder of EcoDigital media, it was more personal. She and her co-founder, Randy Short, were dating when they started the business. Their dating relationship did not last, but they fought through that to keep the business going. But as she looks back on those times, she sees now that she was so focused on what she was going through in the moment, instead of looking to the horizon and realizing that this was a long term endeavor, and that she and Randy would remain partners and would become family.  By not assigning permanence to what you are facing day to day, you can grow and evolve past the crashing waves that are trying to steer you off course. And when you get to some smoother waters, you realize what you are capable of, what you can endure, how strong you are, and that pain and difficulty don't last forever.    The good times aren't forever either Small business ownership, entrepreneurship, and business in general, is tough, and can be lonely at times. But it's not all bad. If it were all doom and gloom, why would so many of us have chosen this path? There are moments when the waves die down and you sail in smooth waters for a time. But it's just as important not to assign permanence to those either. When times are good, still keep your eye on the horizon, keep your eye on the vision, and don't allow comfort and complacency to knock you off course.    Angie's Mystery Beer: Fort George Brewery - Astoria, OR Matryoshka, Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, 12.8% ABV "Aged for one year in a blend of Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Westward Whiskey barrels. This barrel aged stout is an exercise in balance and intensity, full of bold flavors such as vanilla, anise, chocolate, coffee, and charred oak, all integrating seamlessly. The high gravity and robust mouthfeel give the beer heft and substance, while remaining smooth and deceivingly drinkable."   Episode Links: EcoDigital Media Columbia Credit Union Koken Market Global Health News Network    

#79. | Columbia Credit Union and EcoDigital Media, Part 3 | 2 perspectives on keeping a long term focus for small business owners

Business Over Beer Episode #78. | Columbia Credit Union and EcoDigital Media, Part 2 This week on the Business Over Beer podcast, we have part 2 of our 3 part series with Co-founders of EcoDigital Media, Kimberly Brecko and Randy Short, along with Marc Timm, Chief Lending Officer, and Joe Storm, Director of Commercial Lending, for Columbia Credit Union  In this episode we learn about EcoDigital Media, a Digital Signage and Visual Communication company, and how Kimberly and Randy are using their platform to help companies boost productivity and provide their clients with unique customer and employee experiences. Prost!   Do not sell products, sell to behaviors As a small business owner, especially if you are new business owner or if you do not have much experience in sales, the natural inclination is to launch into a pitch that focuses on the product you are selling. And you can definitely build a business selling all the great features of your product or service.  But if you want to take your business to the next level, look no further than human behavior to sell your product. For example, in the middle of the pandemic, when many business were struggling to stay afloat, employees were losing their jobs and budgets were getting slashed, many business owners were focused on the event itself and all the things that were holding them back. Kimberly and Randy, on the other hand, chose to focus on how people were behaving as a result of the event. Take out, Drive thru, and curbside pickup became table stakes for businesses of all kinds and EcoDigital was able to customize an offering for clients to meet this growing and rapidly changing shift in the marketplace.    Integrate your product to behaviors Entrepreneurs are problem solvers at heart, and often times the market is not ready for your solutions. Perhaps, people are not behaving the way you expect them to...or need them to... in order to sell your product or service. So instead of telling people all the great things your product does, focus on how your product will integrate with what people are doing, and how they will feel as a result.  For example, one of primary industries that EcoDigital serves is Hospitals and Healthcare. The impact of the pandemic to this industry has been far reaching. Imagine trying to get a meeting with a hospital administrator in the past year saying you want to sell them some signage?! A product first approach would have been a tough sale.  But with a behavior first approach, Kimberly and Randy were able to relate their offering to the experience that will be had by employees, patients and visitors, and demonstrated how specific targeted content would improve the day to day experience for all, during a time when everyone truly needed an improved experience.    Envision the experience If you are a new business owner, or are in a business where the ROI on your product or service is largely intangible, remember that people make decisions based on emotions, how they feel about something. So when you talk to people, read between the lines, what are they really saying, or more importantly, how are they feeling and help them envision an experience that helps them fill the gaps.    Our Guest's Craft Beer Offering: Matchless Brewing - Tumwater, WA Southbound and Down, West Coast IPA, 7.2% ABV "Originally brewed in 2020 for the launch of our friends’ new company Southbound Distributing in Vancouver, WA. This nod to both their namesake and their favorite TV show is a modern take on West Coast IPA. It’s completely juiced up with Centennial, Citra and HBC-692 that crank out citrus, pine and even subtle tropical notes. All of this jumps the wake on a sea of Best Pilsner, SVM Vienna & Weyermann Munich malts. Because fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless."   Episode Links: EcoDigital Media Columbia Credit Union Smokey and the Bandit - Eastbound and Down Tap Union Freehouse Boylan Root Beer  

#78. | Columbia Credit Union and EcoDigital Media, Part 2 | Do not sell products, sell to human behavior

On this episode of The Business Over Beer Podcast, we speak with Chief Lending Officer, Marc Timm, and Director of Commercial Lending, Joe Storm, of Columbia Credit Union, as well as the Founders of EcoDigital Media, Kimberly Brecko and Randy Short.  When Kimberly and Randy could not get a call back from their bank regarding the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), it was Columbia Credit Union that picked up the phone and helped them take advantage of these funds to help their business during the pandemic. As a result of their experience, Kimberly and Randy brought over many of their accounts to Columbia Credit Union.  In this episode, we learn why Columbia Credit Union is the best in class for its members, its employees and for the small business community here in Southwest Washington and Portland Metro.   Prost!   The 2 things to build your company culture around As a small business owner, if there are two things to build your company culture around, it should be Help and Resolve.   Help First, help goes both ways: asking for help and offering help. As in life, both aspects of help are important to a successful business. And sometimes, both aspects come into play simultaneously, like during a global pandemic that forces a complete shift in how the business world operates.  Being a small business owner means being part of a community, and since 1952, Columbia Credit Union has been setting the example for our community. A huge part of their corporate culture is focused first on helping people, not just helping shareholders. Also, it's also about empowering their workforce to find ways to help its members no matter what circumstances they are presented with. For example, when the pandemic hit, they sprung into action to administer PPP loans for small businesses, nearly half of which were not current members. Yes, there was tremendous uncertainty and ever changing guidance from the SBA . And no, they did not have all the answers or the how to's.  But even as the first round of funding ran out, up until all hours of the night, with help from employees from across the business, they worked to administer these loans that would save job and businesses in the community.  Having a "help" first mindset is why Columbia Credit Union have been recognized as the best credit union for 12 straight years and why 92% of their employees either like, or love, working there.     Resolve What a great word. It's a word that exudes strength, decisiveness, and the desire to find solutions to the most challenging problems. For Columbia Credit Union, the pandemic created potentially devastating outcomes for it members and for the whole community.  As a financial institution, it's their job to manage risk, not avoid it. But, with the pandemic, the risks were almost completely unknown, and so it was Columbia Credit Union's values and culture that drove decisions. From the outset, they knew that failure was not an option. Immediately, it stopped being about their own work and their own goals, instead they made sacrifices to their own business, and resolved to save jobs and help their small business members navigate these unprecedented circumstances.  When you see the resolve in others, and others see the resolve in you, it creates a culture within the whole community to help each other. And, as a small business owner, when you put these at the center of your culture, and when you Resolve To Help, you too will be a true community leader, you'll be recognized as best in class, and from there, the business and financial success are sure to follow.    The Guest's Craft Beer Offerings: Black Raven Brewing Co. - Redmond, WA Trickster IPA, 6.9% ABV, 68 IBU "In mythology, the raven can play tricks or otherwise disobey normal rules, hence the name Trickster. This well-balanced IPA has a light fruit, citrus and piney hop aroma with a full hop flavor."   Bouy Beer Co. - Astoria, OR Czech-Style Pilsner, 6.2% ABV, 35 IBU "Bright traditional taste. A classic pilsner with roots in the great beer heritage of the Czech Republic. Our Czech-Style Pilsner features Saaz hops supporting layers of rounded malt flavors. As right today as it was a few hundred years ago. From a place that’s weathered a few trends in its time; here, history never gets old."   Episode Links: EcoDigital Media Columbia Credit Union Shuswaggi, The Shuswap Lake Monster  

#77. | Columbia Credit Union and EcoDigital Media, Part 1 | 2 things to build your company culture around

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