Female Founders: Kristen Sumpter of Red’s Beer Garden On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Don’t make decisions based on your fear. We’re taking risks every day, some big, some small. When I look back and think about decisions I wish I had made differently, it usually comes down to the fact that I had been focusing on past failures and future fears (usually money). Emotionally releasing those fears and not letting them control you is so freeing and really puts you in the proper headspace to make decisions.
As a part of our series about “Why We Need More Women Founders”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristen Sumpter.
Kristen, also known as ‘Red’, is the owner of Red’s Beer Garden, a counter service restaurant in Atlanta with over 200 types of beer, wine, cider, mead, kombucha, and NA options. Kristen functions as the visionary, making sure the mission of Red’s is always at the forefront of what they do. She also buys all your beer, leads all the events, and posts on social every once in a while.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
My husband and I moved to Atlanta in 2014 after I received my MA in Sociology to start a job at UGA. It was my dream job: benefits, PTO, the works. I felt financially safe and secure. My goal growing up was to find success in a reliable job with work/life balance, and I had done it! Fast forward 4 years, two things started to happen. 1) I started to feel like I was missing something in my life and 2) during college, we always went to cool spots with self-serve coolers of beer and I could not find anything in Atlanta similar to this concept. During this time, my husband and I used to sit on our porch in the evenings while drinking a beer and dream about our life in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years from now. Ed would say night after night after night (you get it, he said it a lot), ‘you should open up a fun beer place here in Atlanta! You’re always complaining that it doesn’t exist’. One evening, I stopped and actually allowed myself to think about the idea. I put aside my fears of losing my financially safe and secure bank account and life, and it felt exciting. I spent the next two two weeks writing a draft business plan, making phone calls, and surprised myself when I realized I wanted to give this a go. I haven’t looked back since.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
Up until about six months before opening, the concept of Red’s Beer Garden was to be solely a beer garden with a couple pre-packaged snacks, no food. I was to be the sole owner, visionary, leader, and boss to just a few employees. About five neighborhood and city meetings later, it became apparent that the city would only allow us to open at our location if we were a restaurant. The next six months really allowed me to understand the definition of pivot. What was supposed to be beer storage, became a 7 ft x 8 ft kitchen, serving hotdogs from a local company. What was suppose to be my husband continuing his full-time job with benefits to provide me with an ounce of ‘security’, became my husband quitting his job two months before we opened to lead kitchen operations. I had been so adamant about not being a restaurant. I fought my councilmember at meetings and did everything in my power to avoid selling food. But the thing about pivoting is, when you realize one door has been shut in front of your face, you have to sprint to the next door that is open. The Red’s Beer Garden that exists today is not the original vision I had four years ago, but now I can say that it is even better than I had imagined. Become a restaurant has allowed us to bring on more employees to strengthen the economy, and customers stay much longer when they are able to eat a delicious hot dog with their beer. It’s always good to fight the good fight, but sometimes it can be even more beneficial when you accept your circumstances and ask, “how can I make this even better than before?”.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I was so fresh in the industry, I made funny mistakes every day. Well, more embarrassing mistakes, but after a few months of our build out and getting the business ready to open, I decided one day to just laugh it off and not take myself so seriously. If I didn’t know what I was doing, I started asking people to explain the situation or I would ask for help. Turns out, pretty much everyone is willing to give some advice or assistance because we’ve all been there.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Back when I was searching online for possible locations for Red’s, I didn’t have a commercial real estate agent and was just using websites like LoopNet.com, which are usually not accurate and not very helpful. I sent several emails to the agents of those properties and only received one response back, Kevin. He took me out for a beer to understand my vision a little better, and 4 years later he has also become a mentor. He is extremely successful in his career but also takes the time and energy to fight for the little guys and gals like myself. Having a real estate agent and mentor like that in Atlanta is crucial for any minority entrepreneur, who statistically has less capital and experience.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women founders. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to create companies. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from founding companies?
I believe a lack of financial resources, knowledge, and a strong cohort or community are the main reasons why women hold back from founding companies. But, I believe non-profits, local/state/federal government, and corporations are starting to do a great job at creating grants and cohort groups that specifically focus on providing these three things to minorities.
Regarding my experience as a restaurant owner, with a large focus on beer, there are also industry specific reasons why women hold back from leading. For one, the beer scene has historically been white men, with very little minority ownership, and even employees. While stereotypes are starting to change (I believe because more women are leading the beer scene), there is still the stigma that women are not as knowledgeable about beer as men. Additionally, the ‘me too’ movement hit breweries hard across the US in 2021, exposing hundreds of breweries displaying discrimination and sexual harrassment towards women and POC.
Additionally, as a 30 year old female who is 5 ft 1 inches tall, I routinely had individuals not take me seriously while acquiring a loan, signing a lease, working with the city, and offering beer suggestions. Now that we’ve been in business and I’ve been the face of Red’s for almost 3 years, my perceived authority has drastically changed, but situations still happen.
Can you help articulate a few things that can be done as individuals, as a society, or by the government, to help overcome those obstacles?
As stated in the previous question, I believe the grants, classes, and access to capital that is starting to become available specifically for women and POC is extremely important. I received my SBA7(a) loan through a non-profit that provided additional capital to minorities, I have attended classes and worked with personal coach and two financial advisors through my state’s small business development center, and I am currently in a one year cohort with the non-profit Bpeace, who specifically work with women and POC business owners to empower them with knowledge and assists in growing their business and the total number of employees, creating further economic stability.
In the beer industry, women are starting to lead more than in the past. Let’s keep this up! The more women who are leading and sharing their perspectives, the stronger the beer community will be. I do see this already changing in Atlanta.
This might be intuitive to you as a woman founder but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become founders?
As a feminist, I believe all humans are equal, no matter their gender identity. But, as a society, we generally still believe and teach the unconscious assumptions regarding who is better at what role. For example, we see this on a macro level through media and on a micro level with relationships. Women (and other gender minorities) have had to rise up from the depths, study even harder, work even longer, to get on the same page as men. Because of this and countless other reasons, our ideas are different compared to men. We can be upset about this, but we can also see it as a gift. Such awareness should propel us to lead even better. Bravo!
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a founder? Can you explain what you mean?
I was always told, both consciously and unconsciously, that the business — my restaurant — will control me. You will work long hours, it will be your life, and you may get lucky and be successful. So that was my mindset for the couple years owning Red’s. Granted, we opened right before a pandemic, so the entire world was dealt a pretty bad hand. But pandemic aside, I felt guilty when I wasn’t working every waking hour or doing something positive for the business.
I recently got so burnt out by this mantra that I had horrible anxiety and desperately sought therapy and coaching. I guess I had an ah-ha moment out of despiritation. I realized, I don’t have to let Red’s control me, I don’t have to work all the time to be a good business owner. I have to daily, and sometimes hourly, remind myself that I am more important than Red’s. Nothing good will ever be accomplished if I am not living out a balanced life.
Is everyone cut out to be a founder? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful founder and what type of person should perhaps seek a “regular job” as an employee? Can you explain what you mean?
I believe a founder or owner of a business needs at least two things: the ability to take risks and grit. I would say the ability to take risks can definitely be learned, I have seen that play out in my story. Grit can also be learned, but that basic spirit of perseverance is stronger in some compared to others.
All that to say, anyone who thinks they are only cut out for a “regular job”, needs to figure out what they mean by that definition. A risk taker with grit could be a great founder, but they could also be an incredible accountant, cook, or teacher. Figure out what wakes you up in the morning, and use that passion as fuel to be the best version of yourself every day.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
- You don’t have to ‘entrepreneur’ every day to be an entrepreneur. The way I practice mindfulness is through running. I either run with no noise/distractions and meditate, or I choose a Nike Run Club run. I can’t remember which run it was, but I will always remember what the coach said: “You don’t have to run everyday to be a runner.” Your body needs a day off from running, and my mind needs a day off from entrepreneuring.
- Don’t make decisions based on your fear. We’re taking risks every day, some big, some small. When I look back and think about decisions I wish I had made differently, it usually comes down to the fact that I had been focusing on past failures and future fears (usually money). Emotionally releasing those fears and not letting them control you is so freeing and really puts you in the proper headspace to make decisions.
- Just be yourself. At the beginning of acquiring our location, building out, and opening Red’s, I was taking myself too seriously and trying to fit into the ‘business owner’ mold. One day very early into Red’s being open, I was having a meeting with a couple of beer sales reps trying to sell me their products and decided to just enjoy the meeting. I stopped asking the ‘right questions’ and started asking my own questions, making some jokes, and having the conversation that made me feel at my best.
- Stop saying sorry when you don’t mean it. A couple came into Red’s and asked us if the shop next door was open. The hours of operation said they were, but it was obvious that staff had not yet arrived. The couple was disappointed and was leaving and I said, “I’m sorry!!”. An employee immediately asked, “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything.” Own your mistakes but don’t take credit for other people’s missed opportunities.
- Seek out every opportunity, grant, or course there is for you to continue learning and gain resources. I owe every single ounce of my success to countless humans, classes and programs, financial advisors, and my life coach.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I hope I have created a space where employees and customers feel loved, valued, and seen.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Public spaces, such as restaurants and breweries, should be safe spaces. For the employees, the customers, and the neighborhood. Be inclusive, truly listen when people are talking, and allow for all types of discussion to be had. Part of our mission that I try to live out every day is: Yes, it’s about the beer. Yes, it’s about the food. But Red’s was built for you, for our employees, & for our neighborhood. All are welcome. All are loved.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
It sounds silly, but Al Roker. I watched him every morning before school on The Weather Channel. Back then I actually wanted to be a meteorologist when I grew up, and it was because of him. Now, he’s doing a ton of other things in his career and his personal life, but to me, he has always been true to himself. He’s the same honest, caring, and goofy Al Roker whether he’s interviewing the President or posting on social media. I really value how he displays his self-confidence and I strive to always be my true self, in every situation.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Female Founders: Kristen Sumpter of Red’s Beer Garden On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.