From Rags to Riches...

Our entrepreneurship class went to Founder's Brewery Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan to hear about their story.  

Currently Founders is ranked the 7th best brewery in the world and 3rd in the United States.  But they weren't always so successful.  

The owners decided that they had a passion with brewing beer when they were attending college.  Then Dave's, one of the two owners of Founder's, girlfriend at the time said "You are always talking about opening a brewery so either do it or stop talking about it!"  So they decided to give it a try after a few years of being unsatisfied with their current careers.  

Dave said that the most important thing to know is that when you are an entrepreneur you are going to work long hours.  He never realized how intense this statement was.  There was a time when him and his partner did not get paid for seven months straight.  They were so low on 

money that they would have to steal toilet paper from their landlord.

Then they realized that they needed to make something different to make them unique and ahead of their competition.  So they began to completely focus on the product, everything was about the product.  Then they would worry about the rest later, so they started to brew the best high quality beer.  And the rest is history as they say...

So the most important things that I learned from the Founder's Brewery story are:

- times are going to be tough so prepare to be able to finance yourself and prepare for the worst

- you HAVE to make yourself completely different from your competition

- make the best product/service possible

So go check out Founder's because remember they have the third best brews in America! 

I recommend the Cherry Ale! : ) 

www.foundersbrewing.com