What does it really take to scale a brewery without losing your soul or your margins?

We sit down with Nicole Smith, co-owner of South Lake Brewing Company, to trace a path from high school sweethearts in Tahoe to a two-location operation balancing community, cash flow, and culture.

Nicole shares the unvarnished story of opening a second taproom and kitchen, why owner presence matters, and how to avoid cannibalizing your original location while still growing revenue.

We cover the small set of numbers that matter most—revenue versus forecast by channel, prime cost for food and beer, and labor as a percentage of net revenue—and how those guardrails drive daily scheduling, purchasing, and promotions.

From handling brutal seasonality in the shoulder months to embracing a kitchen to meet guest expectations, Nicole offers a field manual for independent breweries navigating a slower market.

If you want concrete tactics for expansion, community funding, and profitability without compromising what makes your brand special, this conversation delivers.

Connect with Nicole, nicole@southlakebeer.com

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