What is your full name, title, and business name?
Collin Castore, Jen Burton, Travis Spencer, Partners/Co-Founders, Seventh Son Brewing & Antiques on High
Follow Seventh Son Brewing on Social: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Give us a summary of your business in 200 words or less.
Seventh Son Brewing and Antiques on High both make well-crafted, delicious beers and offer our customers a unique space in which to enjoy them and connect with our communities.
How did the idea for your business come about?
We always enjoyed great beer and lively bar environment and thought we could give it a try.
What was the turning point for your business? Was there a moment you knew you had something special?
We have enjoyed some steady success from the time that we opened and have tried to grow each year to keep pace with demand.
What does it mean to you to be an entrepreneur and business owner?
It means being able to come up with ideas and see them through to fruition while helping to cultivate a creative and healthy work environment.
What does the city of Columbus mean to your business?
Our businesses are a reflection of growing up in Columbus and trying to truly be a part of our community.
Are you from Columbus? If not, please explain what brought you to here and ultimately what made you stay.
I have lived here since middle school (my business partners and I have been friends since middle school) and Columbus has always been a welcoming place to start a business.
What’s the number one piece of advice you’d give to anyone wanting to start a business?
Be able to support yourself for the first year or two without pulling any funds from the business.
What’s the most challenging part of your business (i.e, what keeps you up at night)?
Lately mostly covid related sales issues- waiting for the volume to return (safely).
Every business owner has a flaw. What’s yours?
Trying to do too much- I’ve gotten much better at trusting my team to follow through on ideas.
Why do you think most business owners fail? What has made you different?
Lack of capital- lack of planning. You have to be good at a lot of things and have a working understanding of even more things. It takes time and patience.
What tool has helped you the most for your business (invoicing, accounting, shipping, plugin for website, etc.)?
Various spreadsheets- a great accountant.
When did you know it was time to expand your business, make your first hire, etc.?
As business dictated/sales allowed.
What is something that you did that was a game changer for your business?
Built our expansion building (finished in April 2018).
What was an idea that you spent a lot of time on or thought would make a big difference in your business that didn’t pan out.
Sales in Cleveland through our distributor.
What is something that your business spends a lot of money on that’s worth it?
Cans/artwork for cans.
What is something you’re working on now that you’re very excited about?
A new location/concept for another taproom.
What form of marketing is the most valuable for you?
Social media/internet.
Who is your best Columbus resource (accountant, lawyer, marketer, etc.)? Please provide name and business name so we can give them credit!
Our account Steve Wenzlick at Draft Financial.
Who do you vent to when you have a business problem?
Co-worker/wife.
Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?
Steadily growing- perhaps another taproom location or two around town.
When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, what do you do to overcome this feeling?
Guitar/Beer/Friends.
What’s one component of entrepreneurship that’s much different than what most people think?
You can’t turn it off or leave things at work very easily. It tends to cross into every part of your life from social to family etc.
What’s your end goal with the business? Is this something you want to pass down to your kids or would you like to eventually sell?
Yes I would love to pass this on to my son if he was able to take it over and wanted to do so.
What other entrepreneur do you look up to most?
Here in town Cameron Mitchell has done a great job building a quality organization based on service and he understands the necessity of treating his people fairly and well.
If you had to tell a visitor one thing to do/see/eat in Columbus, what would it be?
Try out all the great craft breweries in Columbus! Especially our stretch of 4th st. with Jackie O’s, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Hoof Hearted and Seventh Son (but of course you need to start at Antiques on High).
