Creating Change: Nat West on Entrepreneurship, Community, and Public Service
Oct 1, 2024
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Nat West, founder and former CEO of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider in Portland, shares his unique journey from entrepreneurship to public service. He candidly discusses the challenges of running a business during the pandemic and the emotional decision to close it. After driving a city bus, Nat revived his love for Portland and decided to run for city council. The conversation touches on the importance of community engagement, building positive workplace culture, and how his entrepreneurial spirit influences his approach to local politics.
Nat West transitioned from successful cider entrepreneur to city council candidate, emphasizing his commitment to community and public service.
He advocates for a collaborative governance model in Portland, promoting partnerships among elected officials instead of competition.
Nat's insights as a public bus driver deepened his understanding of urban issues and the daily lives of Portland residents.
Prioritizing small businesses and improving transportation safety, Nat seeks to tailor city resources for local entrepreneurs and ensure street safety.
Deep dives
The Importance of Community and Support
The episode highlights the speaker's natural inclination to uplift and support others, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered by ranked choice voting. This system allows voters to support multiple candidates, which encourages a camaraderie among those running rather than a competitive atmosphere. Portland's city council has historically engaged in public disputes, reflecting dysfunction, and this episode suggests a more cooperative model to solve the city's challenges. The speaker aims to instill hope in voters that collective problem-solving can address pressing issues, showcasing a positive outlook on governance.
Background in Craft Cider and Local Business Culture
The guest, Nat West, shares insights from his experience as the founder of Reverend Nat Cider, one of Portland’s first craft cideries. He describes how he contributed to the burgeoning cider industry, paralleling the prominence of craft beer in the area. This strong local culture is influential in creating a thriving community that values small businesses, which Nat believes are essential for Portland's identity. His decision to close his cider business was framed as a journey toward new opportunities while maintaining a love for Portland's unique food and beverage scene.
Transition from Business to Public Service
After closing his cider business, Nat spent a period reflecting on his future, ultimately leading him to consider running for city council. He realized his passion for helping others and his desire to engage directly with community issues made public service a natural next step. Nat’s time spent driving a public city bus offered practical insights into the daily lives of Portlanders, strengthening his connection to the city and its residents. Through this journey, he has embraced his role as a servant leader, seeking to prioritize the needs of his community.
Vision for Portland's Government Structure
The podcast discusses a significant change in Portland’s government, transitioning from an outdated model to one that fosters better representation with regional councilors. Nat highlights the shift from a city-wide to a regional representation model, aimed at prioritizing local voices and concerns. The new structure not only allows for a more targeted approach to community needs but also reduces the likelihood of conflicts within the council. Nat believes this change can unlock new opportunities for collaboration and government effectiveness.
Fostering Collaboration in Politics
Nat emphasizes the collaborative nature he aims to bring to the city council, learning from his experiences in both the cider industry and his community ties. Rather than viewing fellow candidates as competitors, he sees them as 'running mates' in a collective effort to improve Portland. His approach involves promoting partnerships and open dialogue among elected officials to drive effective governance. By prioritizing collaboration, Nat hopes to create a supportive environment that fosters innovation and positive outcomes for the city.
Addressing Transportation Safety
A key focus for Nat is improving transportation safety in Portland, as he identifies fatalities caused by current street designs as major concerns. With a vision for safe travel, he cites specific changes necessary, such as enforcing laws about visibility at intersections to prevent accidents. He believes Portland should not accept unnecessary deaths as part of urban living and is determined to promote actionable safety measures. This focus is part of his broader effort to ensure the city is navigable and secure for all its residents.
Support for Portland's Small Businesses
Nat is keen on establishing a dedicated office within city government focused on small business support, recognizing the need for tailored resources to nurture local entrepreneurs. His experience with Prosper Portland has shaped his understanding of the disconnect between large-scale development initiatives and the needs of small businesses. He advocates for solutions that prioritize local enterprises over major developments like those involving Ritz-Carlton, seeking a balance that ensures small businesses can thrive. Through this commitment, he aims to strengthen Portland's unique character and economic resilience.
Embracing Portland's Unique Identity
Nat reflects on the essence of Portland, which is characterized by its vibrant food scene, light manufacturing, and strong community ties. He believes that promoting local culture and cuisine will enhance Portland's appeal, both to residents and visitors. However, he also acknowledges the need for improvement in how local businesses are supported by the government. With a renewed sense of pride, Nat aims to amplify the city’s strengths, advocating for initiatives that celebrate its distinctiveness and create a desirable environment for all.
This week, I sit down with Nat West, founder and former CEO of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, a pioneering craft cider company in Portland, Oregon. Over 12 years, Nat helped shape the city’s thriving cider scene before making the bold decision to close his business, despite its post-pandemic stability. Seeking a change, Nat spent six months driving a public city bus—a dream he’d always had—and rediscovered his love for Portland, a city (my city) often misunderstood in national media. Inspired by this experience, a friend encouraged him to run for city council during a pivotal moment of governmental restructuring in Portland. Though we don’t always agree on the solutions, I admire Nat’s passion for public service and his unique entrepreneurial perspective. In this conversation, we explore what motivates someone to shift from business to public service and what it’s like to be on the cusp of a new political journey. Let’s get to it.
In this episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(06:02) - The art and science of cider-making
(11:51) - Growing the business vs enjoying the craft
(14:20) - On the importance of marketing
(20:34) - Challenges and changes during the pandemic
(32:25) - The moment Nat realized it was time to move on
(36:40) - Nat’s approach to building culture in his team
(49:17) - Moving on from a business
(54:47) - Seeing the city as a bus driver
(01:08:02) - Running for city council
(01:15:21) - Defining the role of a city councilor
(01:19:02) - Nat’s collaborative approach to politics
(01:22:49) - Challenges and opportunities for small businesses
