We recently connected with Kiel Arrington and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kiel, thanks for joining us today. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?

I like to think that we intentionally have a very diverse staff that helps to foster an just as equal if not more inclusive and diverse atmosphere and environment for all to enjoy, staff and guests. We believe that if we take the time to make sure our core is diverse and inclusive, it will translate throughout our day to day. I think it’s important to take a step back any time you can; observe and listen and make sure that we are actually doing what we set out to do and see that not only is our staff diverse from top to bottom but also the folks that come through our doors are coming from all different backgrounds too, and that it is all working harmoniously. And I think even after two years of being open, we continue to evolve but still with the common threads of inclusivity and diversity within the workplace and the atmosphere we put out there for the customer experience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Vaulted Oak Brewing opened June 9th 2021. We have four active owners, myself (Kiel Arrington), Chuck Kistler, Johnie Jones, and our Head Brewer, David Carey. I was the typical homebrewer who had the aspirations of starting his own brewery one day. I had worked in the food and beverage industry since graduating from UNC Charlotte in 2009, and had always thought that hospitality was something I would always be apart of. In 2015, I wrote my first business plan for the brewery but never got the project off the ground. Marriage, a mortgage and two kids happened and I had all but given up on my dream. In 2019, an old bank came up for lease about half a mile from my house and through past connections I met the new landlords who had the idea that a brewery might work in the space. I took this as sign and ran with it. I approached the other partners one by one and got them on board and after a long and arduous process and the start of COVID, we opened up two years later!

Even before we opened, we knew our location and building were different from other breweries around town. We tried to incorporate the building’s past life as a bank into our atmosphere and decor without playing too heavy into a theme. We also knew that we would need and want to be a very family and dog friendly establishment, since the many surrounding neighborhoods have a lot of young families within them. We try to have as many games as possible for kids and adults alike and try to have as many events throughout each week for folks to do when they come here. Community has always been a focal point of what we try to offer as an experience and I’ve always said that we try to be more of a community center than just a place that serve beer. And I think we are definitely not alone in this mindset. I see that other breweries do the same thing and it just helps drive that whole community feel and makes our whole industry that much better in my opinion.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Well, like I said, this was the second attempt of trying to get the brewery off the ground. The first attempt, I was naive and really just unaware of what it takes to get a brewery or any business of the ground. Breweries are very equipment and upfront capital intensive businesses to start. The brewing equipment alone costs more than what a lot of folks pay for their first home. We went the SBA route and despite all odds, were successful in acquiring an loan. Luck is the first thing we had going for us. And if it weren’t for luck, I wouldn’t have been able to put together the team of partners that we have in order to make the deal happen. I also just would not take no for an answer, but at the same time, I learned pretty quickly when a bank just was not going to go any further with us in trying to make a deal happen. But through determination and more luck, we ended up with three offer letters and were able to pit the lenders against each in a sense other and lower our interest rate, before choosing our current lender.

That victory was short lived though because once build out starts and you money starts evaporating, you quickly have other things to worry about and figure out how to make work. Then you open and the real fun starts!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

We were lucky and thought to have money in the opening budget to hire a professional social media and PR company. I highly suggest doing this as you are building out and in the startup phase and continue through your grand opening at the very least. Public relations are critical in making sure that your grand opening is actually grand. And in my opinion you pay these firms for the connections that they have with the local media outlets and to make sure they spin you in a good light. You could say that getting well known for good reason from the beginning can make or break your business, especially in the oh so critical first years.

Contact Info:

• Website: vaultedoakbrewing.com
• Instagram: @vaultedoakbrewing
• Facebook: Vaulted Oak Brewing

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Amelia Winchester https://www.ameliawinchester.com Instagram: @ameliawinchesterphoto