Episode 186: [Is It Worth It, Charlie?] How do you know when it's time to pivot?

As entrepreneurs, it’s par for the course for us to navigate and decide between many business choices. In this episode, Charlie and Rebecca Styn consider a potential pivot for her brand and operations. Rebecca is the founder and owner of Room 33, a speakeasy bar located in Erie, PA, AND Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails, her non-alcoholic RTD cocktail brand.

Don’t miss this episode’s conversations on…

⚖️ The differences between Rebecca’s current strategy and her potential new strategy

⚖️ How her option to franchise her bar could support her CPG brand’s growth

⚖️ Which business processes and resources she’s using to help her decision

📨 Be sure to send us a DM on Instagram at @itsalliball or connect with Alli on LinkedIn and let us know what business decision YOU’RE thinking through.

🔗Join us in the Food Biz Wiz Facebook group as well to join our conversations on CPG topics and podcast episodes.

MEET REBECCA STYN, PhD:

Rebecca Styn serves as Founder & CEO of award-winning Blind Tiger Spirit-Free Cocktails, which are non-alcoholic RTD cocktails inspired by classic drinks from the Prohibition-era. Additionally, she is Founder of Room 33, a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant in Erie, PA.

Over the last several years, Styn has continually focused on startups and the role of the entrepreneur. She has written for local and national publications, served as director of a non-profit supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, and outside of hospitality, has worked in varying roles in public relations, communications, and fund development. In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, she serves as adjunct professor at two local universities where she combines her scholarly and real-world experience to students in the classroom

Styn holds a Ph.D. in organizational leadership and a master’s degree in public administration from Gannon University, alongside a bachelor of music degree from Mercyhurst University.

She is married to Rob Mahrt, to a wonderful bibliophile and entrepreneur, and is fur-mom to two cats and a pup. 

MEET CHARLIE BERKINSHAW:

Charlie Berkinshaw is our VP of Student Success here at Food Biz Wiz, as well as the Founder of Element Shrub, a RTD and concentrate beverage line, and a Founding Partner of The Fountain Inn, a spirits tasting room in Washington, D.C. Charlie supports our students day in and day out, answering questions just like this in our private Retail Ready® student community and on our bi-weekly coaching calls.

SPONSORED BY: RETAIL READY® QUARTERLY PLANNING WORKSHOP!

This episode is sponsored by our Retail Ready® Quarterly Planning Workshop! If you’re a RR student who KNOWS how important it is to do quarterly planning but need to commit to a time and process - I want you to join us in our live, online quarterly planning workshop on March 22nd. Check your email inbox and our private Retail Ready® Facebook group for more information on how to join us! Not in RR yet? Even better. When you join us inside of RR between NOW and March 22nd you’ll get a free ticket to this event! Check out more on joining us in Retail Ready® HERE.