Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Philip Winters, Co-Founder of GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co., located in Alton, ON, CA.

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

GoodLot is an organic hop farm, growing ingredients that go into our hyper-local, farm-raised beer. We use 100% Ontario hops in every beer we make, supporting other small farms like ours to create terroir-driven local beer. We sell this beer to our local bars and restaurants and serve it here at our farm, on our outdoor patio spaces, entertaining our neighbors and guests with local food, live music, and tasty suds.

Tell us about yourself

I've worked professionally on climate change solutions since 1999, working in non-profits, political campaigns, and the private sector. What inspired my partner Gail and I to start farming in 2010 and brewing beer here on the farm in 2017 was to embrace both terroir-driven flavors and to do it in a carbon-negative approach using solar power and regenerative farming methods.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Good question. In both farming and brewing beer, simply surviving as a business :) We do feel our greatest accomplishment is twofold. One is bringing the community together positively, creating connections between neighbors in a shared space full of love and acceptance. Secondly, doing this with climate change at the top of our minds in everything we do. Both our farming practices and brewing practices embrace a post-carbon approach that every business in the 21st century should be embracing.

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

Where do I start... hmm...I guess the balance between growth and cash flow. Brewing is a low-margin endeavor (more of a lifestyle than a business in some ways). There is always a need for some level of expansion (more fermentation tanks, for instance) that must be balanced with being smart and savvy in managing your money while meeting growing customer expectations.

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

Oh, I love this question.

  1. Make sure you have a strong business case and are realistic in your projections.
  2. Differentiate yourself - find what makes you unique and present that attribute to your customers.
  3. Try to maintain a balance between your personal life and business life. When you put everything on the line, it is easy to work 90 hours a week. But it is important to remember you have to sit down and sharpen your axe so that you are not putting a lot of extra effort into any goal which could be achieved faster and better with a sharp blade.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Being an entrepreneur is the best... it is an adventure, and win or lose, there are always great lessons learned. If you fail on your first attempt, consider that a valuable lesson in approaching your next project.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.goodlot.beer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodLotbeer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodlot.beer/

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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