I truly appreciate all the time people have spent helping me out in various ways. I am very grateful to have met so many great people, and I will do my best to pay it forward as the journey continues. :)

So, thank you, everyone. (And keep drinking my beers!)

In order for me to seriously pursue opening a brewery, I need the education and experience. So, if everything goes according to plan, I will be taking this program in February 2011. Just a few months away, I will be working to save money for the time off I will be taking. Additionally, I hope to get an internship at a brewery after completing the program, for at least a few months.

This will all provide crucial preparation/knowledge for running the brewery. I can’t wait!

I’ve got three major things to discuss so I suppose I will divide them into three separate posts:

1) Business

2) European vacation

3) Recent brews

So, let’s talk Business.

Money Making Money

So, the last time I updated, I was working a short-term consulting contract (not beer-related) so I could pay the bills. Well, the contract ended in April and I haven’t been working since. Needless to say, things are beginning to get tight around here. I am not destitute and I do have enough to live on for another 6 months at least, but then I’ll have no savings. So, there’s that. I’m working on lining up some contracts to pay the bills, but hopefully some industry-related work will come along.

My consulting job pays well, but when I’m on corporate contracts that have nothing to do with beer or the industry, I feel as though I’m wasting precious time that could be spent further learning about things that will help the journey of my beer business. Plus, the last few contracts I’ve had have been mind-numbingly boring. :)

So, pecuniary issues aside, I’ve been working on determining next steps. The path I take depends on one major factor: whether or not I have a business partner.

Business Partner Update: The Search Continues

As of yet, I have not found a business partner, and it’s become a bit discouraging. I’ve received a few emails from people who are also looking for partners, but they have either been in other states (and not looking to relocate) or looking to open a brew pub, which is not what I am currently looking for.

I don’t know when and if I will ever find a business partner. It’s one of those things that I can’t determine, so what I’m doing now is trying to do what I can by myself. Which leads me to…

Plan B Becomes Plan A

In previous entries, I explained that my goal is to open a package brewery. Ideally, I’d like to establish the company, raise the money, and build (or rehab a building) the brewery and get going.

I know that’s a huge undertaking, but that’s the goal.

However, in the back of my mind, I did have a backup plan. Plan B involves initially contracting out the brewing to a reputable contract brewer for a year or two. This will give me time to establish the brand throughout the city, raise money, and hopefully make some money, too. At that point, I can work on building the brewery and doing the brewing in-house.

The only caveat I really have about this is that I (or someone representing Robey Street) be on site to oversee all brewing. I’ve done some research on contract breweries and they can vary from really awesome and reliable to kind of sketchy and unapproachable. I do know a few contract breweries that come well-recommended.

I originally balked at this idea, because I won’t be the one brewing MY BEER, but that’s the trade-off. It’ll be more financially realistic and probably a safer route for me to take. Plus a lot of major brewers have had success with contracting their brewing out (whether it be as an initial step or permanently).

So, I’m currently writing my business plan with contract brewing in mind.

Not much else to talk about on the business planning side of things. I admit that I’ve been pretty lazy over the past few months. To be fair, I have been doing a lot of serious thinking, but I don’t have a lot to show for it. :)

Here’s a brief update on what I’ve been up to:

1. Attending all sorts of beer-related events. If it’s related to beer, I’m there. I’ve toured most of the Chicago breweries and hope to check out the new Revolution Brewing pub soon. I also purchased tickets to Night of the Living Ales happening in March.

2. Attending all sorts of entrepreneurship/business-related events. Earlier this week, the Business School at Kendall College put on a workshop for entrepreneurs. Some Northwestern Law School students were there talking about the common legal issues that entrepreneurs face when starting a business. While most of what they covered was stuff I already knew about, it did give me another perspective on incorporating as an S-corp rather than an LLC. I have been researching the best way to structure the company for almost 5 months now, and I think I’ve finally decided how I want to do it. It all depends on how I’m going to fund this venture!

3. Reading, reading, and more reading on beer, brewing, brewery history, beer news, and various business books. Last week I finished the “The History of Beer and Brewing in Chicago, Volume 2” by Bob Skilnik and have started The Wall Street Journal’s “Complete Small Business Guidebook.” by Colleen DeBlaise.

4. Continuing to talk with #beer people, business people, and anyone who wants to hear about Robey Street!

5. Working on new brew recipes. Today I’m bottling the MLK & Cookie Stout and will be trying to fit in the brew day for the Belgian Rose Witbier sometime next week.

6. Participating in a BJCP study group starting next week.

7. Continuing to fill in sections of my business plan.

8. Planning the (rescheduled from December) Robey Street Fundraising Party, tentatively scheduled for March!

I’ve taken some time to think about what I’d really like to be doing when it comes to running the business as well as some things that I will definitely need help with in the future. I am perfectly content doing whatever it takes by wearing as many hats as possible, but I do see where having someone else with complementary strengths and weaknesses will be necessary for success.

I AM someone with:

• A clear vision for the Robey Street mission and brand.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• A serious dedication to making this business come to fruition.
• A passion for learning and learning quickly to get things done.
• An eye for the big picture as well as all the details within.
• Experience working in many different industries, business types, and with people from all over the world.
• Growing knowledge about brewing and beer in general.
• A preference to be behind the scenes working on the production side.
• A realistic and practical approach to getting things done, and doing them right the first time around.
• Strong budgeting and money management skills.

I NEED someone with:

• A passion for craft beer and small business.
• Enough time to dedicate themselves fully to this endeavor.
• Start-up business experience, especially financing, putting together PPMs, etc.
• Craft beer industry experience, whether on the business side of things, on the brewing side of things, or any combination thereof.
• Experience managing small business finances.
• A desire to promote the product and brand directly with the public. A “people person” who wants to be “face” of Robey Street.
• Discipline, focus, and a positive attitude even in rough times.
• NO drug, alcohol, or other dependencies. ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS. It’s one thing to love beer, it’s another thing to overdo it.
• A clear understanding that we probably won’t be profitable for YEARS, so don’t expect to be making bank anytime soon.
• Tons of money! (Just kidding…. kinda.)

Does this describe someone you or someone you know? Remember that I’m not looking to “hire” someone, I’m looking for a business partner. An EQUAL partnership. Serious inquiries only. CONTACT ME.

Legally, I cannot establish a beer company as a non-profit entity. Basically, I’d have to establish two companies, one for-profit, and a non-profit organization. The profits from the beer company can be then passed on to the non-profit arm.

Since it usually takes most microbreweries a couple years to break even, much less, become profitable, I will just be incorporating the for-profit beer company for now. Once we become profitable, I will do one of two things:

1. Open a non-profit to utilize profits from Robey Street beer sales.

2. Make all profits from specific beers benefit various local charities and organizations.

I’ve been leaning towards the second option.

So, there’s the update. Thanks to everyone for their feedback on the previous post(s)!

Yesterday in the shower, I began to really question WHY I’m trying to open up a brewery and came to a few conclusions.

I’m not doing this to become rich.

I’ve never been motivated by money. Yes, I like money, and I’m not saying I don’t want it. I’m just saying that as long as I can pay my mortgage, my monthly bills, and save a little each month, I’ll be fine. The goal is to be doing what I want to do in life, in a job that I’m constantly learning from and challenged by. I don’t want to have to answer to someone above me, and I don’t want to toil away making money for those who don’t really need any more money in the first place. I want to brew beer that I’m proud of and that I can share with the public.

I want my company to give back to the community.

My beer is all about Chicago and each beer is dedicated to a piece of Chicago’s rich cultural history. When people read the labels of my beer, I want them to learn something about the city that they didn’t previously know.  I would also like to donate profits to various Chicago charities and organizations that strive to educate and enlighten people about Chicago’s history as well as help strengthen its future.

The two conclusions above made me ask myself: Would it be possible for me to start a NON-PROFIT beer company?

So, I started to do some preliminary research to see whether or not it was even feasible, and came across a company that is doing just that! Finnegan’s in Minnesota is a non-profit beer company. Needless to say, I’m very excited at the prospect of doing something similar.

This week I’ll contacting the founder of Finnegan’s to ask her some questions as well as doing some more research into the feasibility/legality of this idea.

Question for you:

What do you think about this idea?

[CLARIFICATION: If all else was equal and the beer was tasty and delicious...]

Would you, as a beer drinker, be more/less inclined to purchase a craft beer whose profits went directly back to the community?

So, now it’s 2010 and this year is going to be all about business. There are some major hurdles that I have to get over in order to get this brewery off the ground.

Some of the goals for Robey Street this year include:

• Find a Business Partner
• Write the Business Plan
• Get Funding
• Finalize the recipes for the first 4 beers
• Finalize the graphic design and branding for Robey Street and the beers

I GREATLY appreciate all the support I’ve received thus far and hope that craft beer fans will continue to support this endeavor. Especially those of you in Chicago. :)

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to go into greater detail about my goals listed above. I have a feeling that none of this can move forward without finding a business partner first. As much as I’d like to do this all myself, it’s just not realistic.