Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lorenzo Borghese, Co-Founder of South Beach Brewing Company, located in Miami Beach, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a brewery and brewpub. Our customers are those that love great beer, amazing food, art, and spending time with others.
Tell us about yourself
I've always loved the beer business but couldn't find beers that I truly loved. I was always looking for healthier beer options (gluten-free), lighter calories, and brewed with real juices vs. flavors. As I couldn't find these options, I started South Beach Brewing Company.
What motivates me each day is people. I want to make sure that everyone is satisfied with our beers, food, and service. Time is very precious, and it's important that when people drink my beers or eat at our brewpubs, that not just their taste buds are satisfied but that their entire experience is way above their expectations.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Being able to grow the South Beach brand. It's an extremely competitive industry, and COVID really set us back too, as we were planning to open our first brewpub at that time. We've managed to not only survive each hurdle we've faced (including the boom of the hard seltzer market and ready-to-drink alcohol market), but we've managed to grow at triple-digit rates.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Cash. That has always been the biggest hurdle. How does one manage cash flow with so many ideas? And when I say "ideas," each one is usually in six figures.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a clear path to how you will achieve your goal - from start to finish.
- Team up with the right investors who not only 100% support your vision but trust you in accomplishing that vision.
- Hire the right people. Without the right people, you will never achieve your goals.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Know when to give up and start something new, and don't be discouraged when you fail. I've had many business ideas fail. But I can't call them failures as I learned many lessons from each venture.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.southbeachbrew.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southbeachbrew/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southbeachbrew/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SouthBeachBrew
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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