Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Geoff Gornall, Founder of Tapworks Brewing Company, located in Gibsons, BC, CA.

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

Tapworks Brewing Company is a microbrewery with a taproom, rooftop patio, and burger shack. Our menu is crafted for the coast each item pairs well with a coastal activity and the West Coast lifestyle that the Sunshine Coast epitomizes. A brewery is a place for the community to gather. The taproom acts as an intimate space and a venue for concerts, live performances, trivia, video game nights, and countless other events. The rooftop patio overlooks the water and celebrates the coast's natural beauty. You can expect to see mountain bikes parked out front, hiking packs leaned up next to tables, and the smiling faces of folks getting back from the mountains or beach.

Tell us about yourself

My cousin and now business partner Warren was the main proponent for the brewery. I had a background in business lending and did a BCom, so at first, I was helping him with the business plan. Things were going well for me career-wise then, so I didn't fully commit right off the bat. As we got farther and farther into the planning process, my heart got into it, and I couldn't imagine not being a part of it. There was something so appealing about a lifestyle-driven approach to work. I had always thought about carving out personal time from a career to achieve work-life balance as the end goal, but the vision for the brewery was about loving what you do in the day to day and creating a lifestyle around that (turns out I sacrificed more of the life-balance part though!). Since then, a lot has changed; what motivates me now is a commitment to the initial vision and having pride in our place in the community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The most rewarding accomplishment has been more like a collection of moments and their ripple effects. Lifelong friendships have formed, significant others have met, and proposals have taken place in the taproom, at events, and on the patio. We've raised tens of thousands of dollars for various community causes, including over $5,000 for the Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society from our Tapworks Cup Soccer Tournament. They have since completed a housing project and are now living there.

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

One of the hardest things as a business owner is detaching. My wife and I have two young kids at home, and quality time with them is the most important thing. During those times, I wanted to be present, which meant learning how to detach. Part of it is a control thing (i.e., wanting to make sure any business decision is handled how I'd like it), but we've got such an incredible team - it has gotten easier and easier.

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

  1. Don't skimp on the planning. A well-written and reviewed business plan are essential for funding and mitigating risk when it comes to key elements like product-market fit, capital/cash flow, your team's competencies, etc.
  2. Small caveat to the above: you can go overboard and never transition into execution mode. Risk can never be fully mitigated no matter how much you plan, and it may feel like there's never a perfect time (hint: there usually isn't!). It's a balance between preparation and sending it.
  3. Build your team and trust in your group. When we first started, there were 3 of us all doing everything. That was terribly inefficient and needlessly stressful. Carve out your roles, specialize and allow autonomy within those roles with healthy amounts of communication for big picture/big impact decisions.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We've done a lot of growth and scale since we started and love where we're. There's a tendency for business owners to continue to grow but remind yourself why you started the business and what the next steps mean for you and those you care about. For us, that means focusing less on growth/scale and more on sustainability and commitment to the community. On a personal-professional level, I've started branching out into other passion projects, including joining two boards: the local credit union and the local tourism organization.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://gibsonstapworks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tapworksbrewing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapworksbrewing/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3NWtuLA

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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