How Athletic Brewing Company's Bill Shufelt transformed the way Americans see beer
Mar 7, 2024
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Join in as Bill Shufelt shares how he revolutionized the perception of non-alcoholic beer in America. Discover the challenges of leaving stability for a dream, the impact of non-scalable ideas, and the power of personal connections in entrepreneurship.
Athletic Brewing leads the non-alcoholic beer market due to prioritizing quality and building a strong team.
Creating a movement is crucial for success by engaging in non-scalable actions and embodying company values.
Deep dives
The Rise of Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Millennials and Gen Zers are driving the growth of non-alcoholic spirits and beers as they drink less than older generations. Bill Schufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing, discusses the rise of non-alcoholic beer, highlighting its increasing popularity and market success. Athletic Brewing has become the leading brand in the non-alcoholic beer market, surpassing well-established brands like Heineken and Budweiser.
Passion and Determination in Entrepreneurship
Bill Schufelt shares his journey of transitioning from a successful career in finance to founding Athletic Brewing out of a personal need for premium non-alcoholic options. Despite initial doubts and challenges, Bill's wife's encouragement and his unwavering passion led to the creation of a movement around non-alcoholic beer. By prioritizing product quality, building a strong team with co-founder John Walker, and focusing on values and culture, Bill established Athletic Brewing as a pioneering force in the beverage industry.
Building a Movement and Creating Impact
To establish Athletic Brewing in a competitive industry, Bill Schufelt emphasized the importance of creating a movement, not just a product. By engaging in non-scalable actions like sponsoring athletic events and personally connecting with consumers, Athletic Brewing cultivated a dedicated following. Bill's commitment to his mission, values, and empowering employees reflects in the company culture, aiming to provide a fulfilling and impactful work environment where passion and teamwork drive success.
There's a solid chance that if you were running a 5k or a half-marathon in Athletic Brewing Company's early days, Bill Shufelt handed you a non-alcoholic beer. He's been on a mission to transform how Americans think about drinking and social events, and has been a major force in the sober-curious movement. In this episode, Bill joins LinkedIn Editor-in-Chief Dan Roth to talk about Athletic Brewing's journey from an idea to the number one non-alcoholic beer in America. They talk about what it's like to trade in stability to chase a powerful dream, and why some non-scalable ideas can still have enormous impact on your bottom line.
Watch the video of Dan's conversation with Bill Shufelt on the LinkedIn News Page.
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