We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristine Abrams-Petersman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristine below.
Kristine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?
Before becoming a business owner…and now simultaneous to being a business owner…I work for the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce as Director of Membership Services. That means I get to know Chamber members really well. And of course, most of the members are business owners, leaders, and decision-makers. All these years I was getting to know them, I thought I was simply forming relationships and trying to help their businesses. Turns out, I was also picking up quite a bit ‘about’ business. So when I became a business owner, I do feel like (in certain aspects) I was ahead of the game. That’s not to say there weren’t hurdles, surprises, and tons of pivoting…all specific to The Nixer. BUT I also knew a few things right away about BEING a business owner in general that saved me some stress, anxiety, and worry. For example, I knew that owning a business can and will consume you if you let it. I also knew going in that no one knows everything…despite the fact that it may seem that way sometimes. (And actually, it’s quite the contrary…so many business owners are winging it, at least here and there.) I also knew that comparing my small business to other small businesses was unhealthy, BUT that mutual support between those businesses…that’s everything. And maybe most importantly, from really talking to my members at the Chamber, I came to learn that if your heart is in the right place and you lead with kindness, you’ll win every time. Even when you lose, you win.
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?
I have honestly felt so supported since I took alcohol of out my life, and have FELT so much better…I honestly just want to use The Nixer as a vehicle to help others also feel supported and better.
My goal with The Nixer: Education on, exposure to, and the connecting of craft non-alcoholic beverages with the increasing amount of consumers looking for alternatives to alcohol
The non-alcoholic movement is on fire and I am thrilled to be a part of it – and proud to connect some amazing brands and craft cocktails with people in Phoenix who choose to abstain from alcohol (whether that choice is for a moment, 30 days, or a lifetime.)
Working with NA spirits, elixirs, botanically infused beverages, adaptogens, CBD, mushroom strains, and more to offer non-alcoholic beverages, The Nixer pops up at events, celebrations, and dry “happy hours” across Phoenix. We are also available for hire – private events, tastings, corporate outings, weddings, showers, wellness gatherings – catering to the host’s specific needs, flavor preferences, and intended vibe of event. Our bartenders (nixologists) are on site providing the drinks, along with education and FUN!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
How I met my business partner?? EASY. He’s my husband, best friend, and biggest supporter. Roger not only encouraged me to do this, he is doing it with me…every step of the way. And that feels really good at the end of the day. We share the highs, lows, and everything in between. We run all things past each other and we KNOW our personalities and approaches to business really do balance out. We have learned (and it took patience, love, arguing, more patience, and LOTS of communication…) that we each bring something very different to the table and to The Nixer. And that both are vital to its success. It is not hyperbole when I say I couldn’t do this without him,
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Besides obvious things posting on social media, doing interviews around town, etc…I think just forming the relationships I have formed has helped The Nixer’s reputation (which in essence is closely tied to MY reputation). I am an open book, and encourage others to be the same (at their own pace). I try to set and maintain a tone of judgment-free calmness. That might not be important in other industries, but in this non-alcoholic space…it matters. When people start questioning their relationship with alcohol, they have moments of shame, vulnerability, weakness, etc. The Nixer (and me as a person) want to be there to help them through that. THAT is the ‘reputation I want in the market’ and I think by making sure that’s the priority, we’ve actually built up our reputation in other ways too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenixer.com
- Instagram: @thenixer
- Facebook: @thenixerphx