Better Than Ever
This brewery's online venture soured, so its owners poured energy into their brick-and-mortar.
Co-founders Steve Hindy, 58, and Tom Potter, 51, (who has since left the company) went to friends and family for capital, raising more than $1 million. But within months, they knew the site wasn't going to be profitable, so they had to throw in the towel.
The experience put a financial and emotional strain on the company. "When we folded," says Hindy, "[we sighed] and said, ‘Let's get back to selling beer.'" Fortunately, the brewery's distribution infrastructure had significant offline value. Four years after closing the website, the company sold its distribution assets for a cool $11 million. This year, the brewery expects to sell more than $14 million worth of beer. Hindy says the important thing is to admit your mistakes and learn from them.