#CLTInspreneurs: Justin and Sarah Brigham

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Meet Justin and Sarah, founders of Sycamore Brewing 

Meet Justin (a husband and father) and Sarah (creative and determined), founders and owners of Sycamore Brewing.

Owners: 

Sycamore Brewing

About:

Justin: Sycamore sold its first beer on November 1, 2014, but the project is much older than that. My wife, Sarah, and I started working on Sycamore over six years ago. We are growing faster than I ever imagined, and so many great things are on the horizon. We just launched our North End production facility, which is considerably larger than our original taproom brewery in South End. Right now Sycamore is in a very exciting growth phase.

Sarah: We recently celebrated our 3 year anniversary. At Sycamore, we’re not afraid to think outside the box and evolve.

What is a typical day like for you?

Justin: My days are always different. Each day has some guarantees though. I always taste each batch at both of our breweries to make sure the beer is on point. I try and visit with most of our employees to ensure they have everything they need, and I try and get home in time for dinner and bedtime with my daughter.

Sarah: Wake up some time before sunrise, coffee, toddler wrangling, work, more toddler wrangling, more work, bed.

Favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

Justin: The pride I take in Sycamore. We built this thing from scratch – from an idea, and unlike most breweries, we do so much of the work ourselves. When I walk through our facilities, my blood, sweat and tears are right there for me to see.

Sarah: The creativity it allows.

Least favorite?

Justin: Finding balance can be tough. There was a period of time where I worked 18 hour days straight… for months. That is unsustainable, and learning to take time off was a really valuable turning point for me. The never-ending list will still be there after you rest and recharge.

Sarah: Balancing work life with family life.

What did you do before you went out on your own?

Justin: Many years ago, I worked at Coors Brewing. I have also designed and built a hydroponics laboratory, built homes with my father, worked on a boatyard and sold sailboats. For awhile, I ran my own web design company, and right before starting Sycamore, I worked in finance, specifically with emerging market equities. A lot…

Sarah: I worked in marketing.

Why did you pick Charlotte as the home of your business?

Justin: I am from Charlotte – born and raised. There is no place like home, and when it comes to craft beer, Charlotte is such an exciting market. This beer scene is so young, but we have such great beer!

Sarah: Charlotte is my (adopted) home. It’s a rapidly evolving, dynamic city. I love where Charlotte is now and I’m excited to see Charlotte’s future.

What inspired you to go out on your own?

Justin: I have had many unique jobs in the past, but right before we opened Sycamore, I held my only true desk job. I am a lot happier working with my hands and creating.

Sarah: The desire to create and have autonomy over my work.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Justin: Family time. We have a 20 month old daughter, and my best days are spent with Sarah and my little girl. I love to travel, although I rarely get to these days. I also love mountain biking, fly fishing, surfing and being outside.

Sarah: Spending time with my family.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being out on your own?

Justin: You cannot change people. If someone did not have self-discipline, problem solving skills or accountability to begin with, they aren’t going to suddenly turn it on by working at Sycamore.

Sarah: To trust my instincts.

Talk about a time you failed big time and what you did next.

Justin: I applied to law school my last year of undergrad. Ultimately, after being accepted, I deferred for a year and rode buses around Central America with a surfboard and a backpack. I got a lot of perspective on that trip, and when I decided to attend that next year, it was so obvious to me that it was an awful fit. It was such a hard decision at the time. Staying in school felt “safer”. In hindsight, it was the best thing I could have done.

Sarah: I failed to adequately communicate to the team. Just because something seems obvious to you, as the owner or manager, does not mean others will interpret things the same way. I’ve tried to think more about who I’m communicating with and how they will best absorb information.

Who do you look up to or look to for inspiration/advice? 

Justin: My wife, Sarah. Second to that, and to be more industry specific, those friends I have made who have gone down the path in front of me.

Sarah: My husband and my parents.

What’s your motto, or some words you live by? 

Justin: Perspective.

Sarah: The best way to predict your future is to create it.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?

Justin: It may sound hackneyed, but be sure that what you are pursuing really inspires you. I do not know any way to success other than making your company a major part of your life. If you don’t love what you are doing, it will be a pretty rough existence.

Sarah: Passion is a necessity as your work will become your life.

Where can people stalk ya?

Insta:@sycamorebrewing

FB: Sycamore Brewing

Twitter:@sycamorebrewing

What’s your “power color”?

Justin: Sycamore Brewing Green!

Sarah: Peach

A Note from BW on Justin and Sarah…

We chose Sarah and Justin to represent the BEER space (Obviously, we’re in Charlotte, duh). They have created a stellar beer program, and more importantly, they’ve created a culture and a space. Through events they have garnered a true following and an authentic community (you know, one of those things any business wants/needs). On top, they are the most humble people you’ll ever meet and will do anything for their community. Oh, and did I mention… the beer?

 

#CLTInspreneurs: Sherrell Dorsey

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Meet Sherrell, founder of  The Plug Daily & BLKTECHCLT

Meet Sherrell–she is invested in the notion that we can democratize opportunity for everyone. As a journalist and community builder, she believes considerate development of our businesses, talent pool, and communities will drive this thing we call equitable innovation.

Owner: 

The Plug Daily & BLKTECHCLT

About:

I launched ThePLUG in April 2016 to cover the innovations of people of color in technology and leadership. BLKTECHCLT became an extension of that work in December of 2016 (our first event), as I sought to galvanize local entrepreneurs and professionals in the space that didn’t necessarily feel welcomed to the current table of entrepreneurship in our city.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m balancing grad school, two businesses, workouts, and trying to maintain clear skin. No day is the same–which is why I love the work that I do. I’m regularly responding to emails; mapping out new data story ideas for school and publishing; rolling out new partnership campaigns for ThePLUG; developing content for BLKTECHCLT; and engaging in conference calls with partners, city leaders. I also make time for networking and learning from incredible professionals across a broad scope of industries. By late evening, I’m prepping for the next day, using ASANA to mark off my completed tasks and think through my next goals to conquer.

Favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

Quite honestly, the freedom to challenge myself and play a role in my own personal and professional development. It is surely a risk. I have failed, I have had big wins, I have second-guessed myself, but when I get feedback from others who have benefitted from my work, I know that all the stress and late nights are worth it.

Least favorite?

There’s no such thing as vacation. I spent two weeks in Paris writing and planning. I sat in parks in Havana on shifty wifi following up with sponsors. There’s always something to be done. But I’m learning how to delegate better.

What did you do before you went out on your own?

I’ve always had a form of entrepreneurial endeavors as part of my work. When I moved to Charlotte in 2014, I worked as a marketing manager at Uber. At the time, I was also penning stories on impact and technology for Fast Company, Next City, City Lab, and The Root and continue to write as often about the shift of innovation in cities in and beyond Silicon Valley.

I did a brief stint as a contractor at Google Fiber on their sales team, eventually moving into full-time entrepreneurship when that relationship ended.

Why did you pick Charlotte as the home of your business?

It made complete sense to create an environment for entrepreneurs of color in an ecosystem that wasn’t currently focused solely on inclusivity. I saw a divide in the way in which we were networking as professionals. Pitch events were almost completely homogenous. Conversations about the local startup scene rarely included the vast diversity of Queen City neighborhoods and communities. Building BLKTECHCLT was the answer to a need. Thankfully, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Over the last year since we’ve been working on this initiative, we’ve connected with over 800+ Charlotteans committed to discussions on inclusivity and redefining how we discover talent and opportunity within our community.

What inspired you to go out on your own?

I was compelled by the constant positive response I was receiving in my businesses. We’re in a time where people are creating products and services that literally change the way we live our lives (think Uber, Google, Airbnb). Building the confidence in my work has lead me to believe that I too can be a change catalyst and provide opportunities for others to become the next wave of leaders solving important issues.

What do you do when you’re not working?

Is this a trick question? I’m usually always working unless I’m sleeping, but even then I dream about work.

In all seriousness, I’m in grad school until May and being a student again has its perks—like free admission to local museums, discounts on apparel, and free admission to incredible conferences. Whenever I have a free day, I try to spend the time feeding a different part of myself, whether that’s a short walk through the park. A quick glass of wine at a wine bar. A good book to read on the train. A lecture on a topic I’m not familiar with. Though I prefer to do these activities alone, I do try to remain social and will often invite a friend or a new acquaintance to join me.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being out on your own?

Ask for help and use the tools around you to be more efficient. I try to automate and delegate most of my admin tasks these days, from book keeping to design to growth marketing within my business. My time is best used on the bigger picture. I have an incredible team of talented humans around me that help make what I do even better. And because I have that foundation, it allows me to take on greater risks.

Talk about a time you failed big time and what you did next.

I was seeking some funding for the business and just knew I had it in the bag. Unfortunately, that funding fell through. It was utterly disappointing to say the least. In my mind, that funding was going to allow me to hire another person on to the team and make life a lot smoother. So I went back to the drawing board and mapped out how the business was going to survive without the funding and where I would need to cut back and strategize how to drive sales. I’m grateful for that learning lesson. It takes grit to survive.

Who do you look up to or look to for inspiration/advice? 

I’m a life-long learner with a book shelf and Feedly profile full of articles and excerpts galore. Thus, I derive information from everywhere; authors, musicians, artists, teachers, political commentators, students. I try to keep my ears and my spirit open for wherever I can derive solid knowledge and wisdom from.

What’s your motto, or some words you live by? 

You can do the hard things. Always.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?

Leadership trumps influence. Work hard, be kind, keep learning, stay curious.

Where can people stalk ya?

Insta:@_theplugdaily

FB: BLKTECHCLT group  or The Plug Daily

Twitter:@_theplugdaily

What’s your “power color”?

Fuschia. Because I have a stellar vegan lipstick that matches.

A Note from BW on Sherrell…

We chose Sherrell to represent the OPPORTUNITY space. She is someone who’s built support systems around others and been a leader in so many ways. She’s inspiring to us because she’s looking outside the box to welcome everyone into it and proves that one person can and should make a difference. She is strategic, perseverant and strong, everything a successful entrepreneur has to be.

 

 

#CLTInspreneurs: Haley Bohon

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Meet Haley, founder of SkillPop 

Meet Haley– she has lived in Charlotte, with her husband, for about 5 years now. She runs a startup called SkillPop where they work to make in-person learning accessible through community-based pop-up classes. Haley believes in doing work that you care about, in the power of good community, and in making people feel welcome.

Owner: 

SkillPop

About:

SkillPop is a company based in Charlotte, NC working to make in-person learning accessible. We host pop-up classes on everything from photography to marketing, all taught by local professionals with skills to share and hosted in interesting areas of the community. Since launching in 2015 SkillPop has expanded to Raleigh, NC, Greenville, SC and in Nashville, TN; between all markets, the company has taught over 10,000 students.

What is a typical day like for you?

Every day is different, and my weeks ebb and flow depending on what we have going on as a company. Most days for me are a mix of meeting with my team, working on new launches or projects, and talking to partners or teachers – with some HR & finance work woven in as well. If I’m not a class in the evening, I’m usually cooking, going on a long walk, working on a project around the house or spending time with my husband & friends!

Favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

Far and above, I love working on something that I feel really passionately about. It sounds so simple, but I love what I do and I don’t take that for granted!

Least favorite?

Emails! My inbox feels like a constant game of catch-up that I can never win.

What did you do before you went out on your own?

Before launching SkillPop I was a project manager for local tech company Passport. Prior to that, I was in product development for Newell Rubbermaid.

Why did you pick Charlotte as the home of your business?

I lived in Charlotte before launching SkillPop so it was a natural place to start a business, but it’s been a perfect community for us and the amount of support we’ve received from day one has been incredible.

What inspired you to go out on your own?

I truthfully launched SkillPop because the idea of making in-person learning more accessible was something that I couldn’t shake, and I needed to see if it worked. Having said that, it helped that I was working for a tech-startup before launching my own company! There’s something about sitting in arms length from the CEO and seeing a more of how businesses run and grow that makes launching a company feel more attainable.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I spend a decent amount of time cooking and working on house projects with my husband, but we also love exploring Charlotte and trying new places in the city. I’m a big reader, I enjoy traveling, and I love a quiet Friday night with Netflix, pizza and a glass of wine.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being out on your own?

I’ve learned to trust my gut. There are five thousand ways to build a business and I’ve gotten more advice than I can remember over the last two years. All of it is well-intentioned, much of it is valuable, but it isn’t all advice that makes sense for me and for my business, so trusting my gut is something I had to learn early on.

Talk about a time you failed big time and what you did next.

The funny thing about starting a business for the first time is that you’re doing everything for the first time. And as much as there are great resources out there to learn from, there are also a thousand different ways to run a business and plenty of spaces to make mistakes! So far, we haven’t had a terribly rocky road – although there have definitely been moments where I did something different than I would have done in retrospect. I take a “one-day-at-a-time” approach to entrepreneurship, though. Good or bad, each step is still that – a step – and we keep moving forward.

Who do you look up to or look to for inspiration/advice? 

So many teachers in the SkillPop community are inspiring to me – we have a group made up of some of the top creatives, business leaders, and makers across Charlotte, Raleigh and Greenville and it’s incredible to watch their businesses grow! I also love to read and gain a lot of inspiration that way; Gretchen Rubin & Laura Vanderkam are two of my current favorite thought-leaders.

What’s your motto, or some words you live by? 

I always say “don’t follow the rules that aren’t there.” Think life is supposed to be lived out a certain way? Who says? Realizing that those rules were never really there to begin with freed me up to make the big decisions that have helped me get where I am today.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?

Trust yourself. Try to find that opportunity that both brings you joy and meets a real need. Don’t wait too long to bring your idea to market – test, launch, iterate and re-launch. You’ve got this!

Where can people stalk ya?

Insta: @skillpopclt / @skillpophq 

FB: @skillpophq 

Twitter: @skillpophq

What’s your “power color”?

Blue!

A Note from BW on Haley…

We chose Haley to represent the EDUCATION space. She’s brought people together in a new way in Charlotte, through hands on and accessible learning. Not only is she brilliant (ahem, she’s an ex-engineer), everything she touches turns to gold, and it’s not because she’s lucky: she works SO hard, remains steadfast to her (and the company’s) values and busts ass to make things happen (example: has brought SkillPop to 2 new cities this year!). On top of that, she’s probably the most humble person you’ll ever meet and when you do, she will tell you she works for SkillPop. We look up to you Haley, and truly admire everything you do for this city.

 

 

#CLTInspreneurs: Caleb Clark

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Meet Caleb, designer

Meet Caleb Clark, a creative thinker and doer.

Owner: 

Weapon Collective and Subsecreto 

About:

Weapon Collective is a design firm built to fight the “yes man” agency model: because we aren’t here to make friends, we are here to make history. Sometimes the truth hurts, but when it comes to our clients we believe that brutal honesty is better than killing you with kindness. We are tactical + tactile mercenaries, and we don’t work with just everyone.

But the projects we do take on, we go in full-force. Once provoked, our creative hive mind can handle it all. With in-house services ranging from technical design to editorial photo shoots: our creative team is packed full of unusual suspects.

What is a typical day like for you?

Work, kids, sleep, repeat.

Favorite part about being an entrepreneur?

It works with my wardrobe & homeless aesthetic

Least favorite?

The word “entrepreneur”

What did you do before you went out on your own?

Creative director in ad agency world

Why did you pick Charlotte as the home of your business?

Initially my last corporate job brought me to CLT – stayed because I love it.

What inspired you to go out on your own?

More of a necessity: “do not play well with others”

What do you do when you’re not working?

Is this where I say I work 24/7? drinking the grind juice 24/7/365! honestly I have a hard time shutting off work mode; this is something Ive been working on for a few years.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being out on your own?

It’s always on you… whether you work for yourself or not… health, wealth, happiness… its all up to you.

Talk about a time you failed big time and what you did next.

Going through one of those lessons now… and you gotta go #FROZEN and “Let it go” … don’t dwell on the failures.

Who do you look up to or look to for inspiration/advice? 

My small circle of friends are all “entrepreneurs” so I look to them – my business partner Corri Smith is always good for a reality check to my creative brain #sponsored.

What’s your motto, or some words you live by? 

Order out of Chaos.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?

Just know you’ll work twice as hard and three times as long… but it’s yours.

Where can people stalk ya?

@subsecreto @futurecaleb @layeredUSA @weareweapon

What’s your “power color”?

Dark Black

A Note from BW on Caleb…

We chose Caleb to represent the DESIGN space (he can design pretty much anything). We admire so many things about Caleb, but mostly, his resilience, positivity and perseverance. He’s always ready to help, offer advice and share. We like him so much, we opened a magical store with him. Click here to get in on the secret.