Beer Hound Brews the Perfect Partnership Kenny Thacker always dreamed about brewing beer, so after he became unemployed, the former construction worker set out to make his dream a reality. Using a $25,000 loan from his father, Thacker opened Beer Hound Brewery in 2012. The brewery proved popular with the locals, but nonetheless, the business tanked financially in the three years it was open. There were not enough customers in the small town where the brewery was located for Thacker to turn a profit. As a sole business owner, he did not have all the skills needed to succeed financially. Help came when Thacker partnered with Frank Becker, a restaurant franchise manager, and Rick Cash, a retired manager at Philip Morris. The three men reopened Beer Hound Brewery, this time in a more desirable location where the brewery could develop a stronger customer base. The various business responsibilities of running the brewery were split up among the three men. Thacker focused on perfecting his brewing recipes, while his two partners addressed the marketing, operations and financing aspects of the business. The brewery was a hit when it opened. Finding the right business partners helped transform the fledgling brewery into a successful business. Revenue at the brewery approached $500,000 in its first year, and Thacker, Becker, and Cash estimated revenues would surpass $1 million in 2017.13

Critical Thinking Questions

1) What made the brewery more successful after Thacker brought on his two business partners? 2) Why was it important for Thacker, Becker, and Cash to share in the responsibility of running the brewery? 3) How did the owners of Beer Hound Brewery grow its customer base?"

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