Fat Bottom Business - This is going to happen.

For years, I have been that guy who keeps talking about this great idea: I'm gonna go make beer, everyone will love it, etc., but never did anything about it.  I've been itching to start my own company, but I couldn't take the plunge.  A few weeks ago, that changed.

I was talking with a friend, who had a friend, who had a warehouse that "some new brewery" was checking out. I came home that night, told my wife about it, and got that sick feeling in my chest when you know that you've really screwed something up. For two years I've talked about brewing as a business and I was always regretful that I hadn't done it. Hearing that somebody else was starting was the kick in the ass I needed. I don't want to be sitting at home two years from now, talking about a missed opportunity and wishing I had done something back in 2011.

The roller-coaster

I can't put it off any longer. I pulled out my business plan from two years ago and revised, refined, and updated it for 2011. I made my financial model better, I made my sales plan more realistic, and settled on a name from my list of about 150 options. I slept on it for a few weeks, got advice, and tried to figure out why I shouldn't do this.

Should I walk away from a secure job at a great company? Could I lose a lot of money? Will I be a disappointment? There are a lot of good reasons for not doing this, but I'll only be disappointed if I don't.

I made the decision, got funding together, incorporated, and turned my resignation. Today I told the 80 people I work with that, after 8 years with the same company, it was time for me to move on. I expected feelings of disappointment and betrayal and got a round of applause instead. (Thank you.)

This is a start-up in a high-risk, tough, competitive, you-probably-won't-make-it industry, but one that I want to be a part of. I'm passionate about beer (great beer!) and that's why I am doing this. I LOVE beer and I want to make somebody else love it, too. I'm not under any illusions that I will get to brew all day and make money. Like any business, this is an exercise in sales, marketing, and operations. I want to take my shot, risk failure and know that I at least tried.

Tonight I am happy. No doubt there are difficult times ahead and days where nothing goes my way. Fat Bottom Brewing may crash and burn or it may be wildly successful, but I won't be in the same place two years from now, wishing I had started when I had the opportunity.

Say hello to Fat Bottom Brewing.