The Part Of The Drinks Business You Never See

Описание: I sit down with Mark Mahoney to talk through 30+ years building and advising beverage businesses across coffee, alcohol, hemp, and THC drinks. Mark explains how he’s been involved in more than 15 companies, what actually determines success in food and beverage, and why many new brands fail on distribution, capital intensity, and timing. The conversation covers co-packing versus owning production, building Atomic Coffee with family, lessons from failed hemp ventures, and how he thinks about re-entering categories after markets reset. This is a practical look at how beverage businesses really work, from someone who has lived through multiple cycles.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro and what he is working on now
01:18 – Counting the businesses: 15+ ventures and 40+ brands
02:52 – The first big win: Maui Beverage and 20 years in frozen drinks
04:40 – How a café idea turned into a beverage career
06:00 – Building Atomic Coffee and handing it to the next generation
07:35 – From alcohol to hemp and THC beverages (and what went wrong)
10:00 – Co-packing vs owning the plant and hard lessons on margin
12:00 – Boards, mentors, and why cadence of meetings matters
14:10 – Why beer, hemp, and THC feel like a “bloodbath” right now
16:20 – Where the real opportunities will be in the next few years
18:10 – Honest advice for young entrepreneurs today
21:00 – Salem, New England, and closing thoughts on luck and timing

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I'm Fred Forsley, founder and CEO of Shipyard Brewing Company and an entrepreneur passionate about more than just craft beer. Here, I share a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs of running various businesses, from brewing to other entrepreneurial ventures. I explore my passions, discuss the vital role of community and collaboration, and show how innovation drives us forward.

Join me as I embark on this journey of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in the dynamics of different business sectors, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s discover the limitless possibilities together!