We recently connected with Rob Phillips and have shared our conversation below.
Rob, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
This is a great question. First, the industry has changed drastically in the 6 years that we have been kicking around in Salt Lake. When we launched in 2017 there were only a handful of breweries in Salt Lake, some focused on distribution, some focused on their restaurants, and some had some blend of both.
We did not want to be in the restaurant business – so we geared our business strategy towards distribution. This is the one thing I would change if I could go back a decade and see into the future.
The amazing taproom scene in Salt Lake has grown, and we are playing catch-up. We have expanded our taproom, regularly have fun events, offer a wide variety of beers, local ciders, local spirits, and wine to help attract a wider array of customers.
Our Mission is to provide a unique, positive, and memorable experience every time someone interacts with our brands. We work hard to create this inside our Taproom space.
If we could go back, we would have focused on our Taproom first, grow our foundation, then expand and distribute.
Rob, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Rob Phillips, I am the ‘Ro’ in RoHa Brewing. One of the three founders of the business, established in 2017.
I was formerly an engineer in town, that was googley eyed over the craft beer industry. I worked and volunteered in my spare time in the industry, and eventually took the leap to open a spot!
We are a small craft brwery focused on producing high quality beers for our Taproom and Bar. We offer 12 different and rotating beers and seltzers on draft (most not available outside these walls), as well as locally crafted canned cocktails, locally made cider, local spirits, and wine.
We have a wide variety of customers, and welcome anyone that steps through the door.
We host events and live music weekly to get people out enjoying the Taproom and all it has to offer!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
We are mid-pivot right now. As previously mentioned, we launched with a focus on distribution, and a big effort was placed on packaging beer and shipping it all over the state – which we still do today!
But as the industry grew in Salt lake, the need for a vibrant community meeting place was needed – the Taproom!
We expanded out Taproom almost tripling the space, added a great shaded patio, and received a bar license allowing us to grow our offerings to suit a wider variety of customers.
This is a big pivot, from generating revenue through wholesale distribution, to growing our walking traffic and building the front of house revenue stream.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
Which one!
This is a common problem in small businesses – cash flow is king!
As we grow, we have to invest a great deal of money in inventory for future production. Cans, grain, hops, and so on are necessary to make that next batch of beer.
As we purchase these items – we have not necessarily made the money from selling a finished product – making beer takes time!
So, we have gone through deep valleys, left vendors wondering if a check was coming, and been able to come out the other side and make those payments. But it requires discipline, good relationships, and trust with those that help you build your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RoHaBrewing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rohabrewing/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoHaBrewingProject/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohabrewing?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSPMP4rHv6uq-9DGdn2ofQA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/roha-brewing-project-salt-lake-city