EP-416 Kristen Sumpter of Red's Beer Garden

It's easy to find examples of what success in entrepreneurship looks like. There are dozens of TV shows, thousands of books, and millions of blog posts that are meant to share tips, secrets, and let us into the minds of people who've made it in all kinds of business. But the fact of the matter is that the only ones who can truly understand what it's like—the many failures that typically come with a breakout win—are the people who've taken a leap of faith without any idea of how their attempt to launch a product or start a business will turn out. You're as likely to be built up as broken down on this journey.

In this episode, we spend a lot of time talking about entrepreneurship with my friend, Kristen Sumpter, who co-founded bar and bottleshop Red’s Beer Garden with her husband, Ed. We’ve gotten to know each other through a group she co-founded with past podcast guest Sara Kazmer, which includes several women entrepreneurs who live in the Atlanta area. For almost two years, I've listened as Kristen has shared the waves of triumphs and tribulations of building a beloved local hangout.

In our conversation, we explore Kristen's journey from that initial spark of inspiration to the day-to-day realities of running a successful business. You’ll hear her talk about the importance of community, embracing vulnerability, and prioritizing self-care amidst the entrepreneurial hustle. Kristen also shares how she’s able to show up as her authentic self on Instagram and how long she’s been obsessed with hot dogs, a staple of the food menu at Red’s.