Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jason Currie-Olson, Co-Owner of WoodGrain Brewing Co., located in Sioux Falls, SD, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am one of the owners of WoodGrain Brewing Co., a small craft brewery in Downtown Sioux Falls. We specialize in making a small batch (5 Barrels) of high-quality craft beer and serving it in a fun, relaxed environment. We serve the greater Sioux Falls area, but our location in the heart of Downtown Sioux Falls provides us exposure to visitors from all over the country. We have 16 taps filled with a wide variety of beers. From sours to New England IPAs, to strong malty beers and light, refreshing lagers, we have something for everyone.

Tell us about yourself

I picked up homebrewing in 2007 while I was stuck at home after a significant health issue. My uncle Danny had been brewing for a long time, and my brother and I decided to give it a try. I found the scientific process of brewing engrossing and almost meditative, yet I felt drawn to experiment with different ingredients and beer styles. I found a strong homebrewing community and ended up teaching several of my friends how to make beer. One of those friends, business partner Steve Hartman, very quickly picked up the art, and he and I began competing in homebrewing competitions. We did very well in competitions, and one day after checking out an area brewery, we drove through Downtown Sioux Falls dreaming about opening a brewery and looking at spaces for lease. At this point, we realized that we probably should have a business plan. We invited our friend Ryan VanTol to join us as a partner, and in April of 2014, WoodGrain Brewing Co. was incorporated. We opened on September 3, 2015, and quickly we each fell into our roles. For me, the place is where my heart is. Steve has grown into a far better brewery than I am. Ryan has an MBA and manages the finances. But I have always wanted WoodGrain to reflect my kitchen at home. I have an astounding group of friends who come from all sorts of social groups and backgrounds. My church friends. My work friends. My friend's friends. They all belong at my house, no matter their differences. They are just "my friends." Hanging out, socializing, getting to know each other, and making new friends. And that's what I want WoodGrain to be. People in $1,000 suits are sitting at a bar next to a guy who just finished pouring concrete. Families play board games while their kids enjoy a soda. A few years ago, we had a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary sitting at the bar. Two of our regulars sat down for a beer before celebrating their 10th anniversary. Before you knew it, the older couple had canceled their dinner reservations and went out with the younger couple. Those two couples still meet at WoodGrain and are now lifelong friends. Community. That's what motivates me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Not giving up. Paying off the business/being debt free. Surviving the Pandemic. I grew up around business owners. My grandpa owned construction companies, as did my dad. I had an inkling of how hard it is to be an entrepreneur. But perception and reality are frequently a long way apart. Outside of still being around, I am most proud of how WoodGrain treats others. We work very hard to support our community by helping out non-profits, supporting families in need, and being a resource for new breweries in the area. I truly love how WoodGrain works to support other breweries and be an active part of an incredibly tight-knit brewing community in Sioux Falls and South Dakota as a whole. We are fortunate to be in the place we are. It is nice to be able to pay it forward.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I really suck at balance. And I think my two partners might say something similar. I still teach high school full-time, and the first couple of years were almost unbearable. 90-100 hour weeks were common between teaching and working at WoodGrain. Now that we are more established and have a bunch of rockstar employees, I work hard to keep a balance so that I don't burn out. Finding time to feed my soul has become a priority I need to enforce. Sometimes it looks like a long road trip to camp at National Parks. Other times it is me, a book, and a blanket in my chair. It is easy to want to have my fingers in all parts of the business, but I need to let go and allow my partners and my staff to do what they are so good at.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Woof. That's a tough one.

  1. Have a plan. Get all your ducks in a row and then double-check everything. Once you've double-checked everything, do it again...5 more times. We have been successful in large part because Steve, Ryan, and I are detail-oriented in different ways. And we crosscheck each other all the time.
  2. Be responsible. I've seen a lot of business owners get started, get a little bit of success, and then quickly overreach. It is really tough to recover once you've overextended yourself. Pay yourself first (you need to be able to support yourself), but then pay your bills. Get out from under any debt you can as quickly as you can. The freedom that allows a new business is amazing. Freedom to grow, expand, take risks, and try new things.
  3. Have fun. Remember why you started this adventure in the first place. And never miss an opportunity to bask in a "Pinch Me" moment. Sometimes that means taking a step back for a while. Other times it means getting behind the bar on a busy Saturday night and slinging some cold beers with the best employees for the best customers a guy could have.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.woodgrainbrew.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodgrainbrew/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WoodGrainBrew
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-currie-olson-7a59688/

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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