In this episode, I sit down with Dessie Redmond, co-owner of Full Fledged Brewing Co., for a conversation that’s equal parts business insight and real-life storytelling. We talk about her journey from a career in urban planning to co-founding a brewery in Council Bluffs, Iowa—and why she and her husband chose that specific city to chase their dream.
We dive into what it takes to start a business in a new place, how community support played a critical role in their growth, and the ways they had to pivot during the pandemic. Dessie opens up about the lessons she’s learned around entrepreneurship, working alongside her partner, and how to balance a full-time job while growing a business on the side.
We also talk candidly about the myths of business ownership, the strategic (and very real) importance of things like ceiling height and distribution laws, and how staying open to change helped them thrive.
This conversation is for anyone who's ever considered building something from scratch, especially if you’ve wondered what it really takes to choose the right place, the right people, and the right time.
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Unpacking this episode min by min:
02:53 The Journey to Brewing
06:01 Establishing the Brewery
08:59 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
12:04 Community and Support
15:06 The Impact of the Pandemic
18:01 Innovation and Growth
21:03 Future Aspirations
27:09 Engaging the Community: Innovative Public Engagement Strategies
28:00 Adapting to Change: The Evolution of Brewery Offerings
29:57 Navigating Business Challenges: Lessons from the Brewery
34:22 Planning for Growth: Capital and Layout Considerations
40:23 Balancing Act: Managing Time and Responsibilities
44:45 Working Together: The Dynamics of a Business Partnership
47:20 Misconceptions of Entrepreneurship: The Reality of Business Ownership
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Dessie Redmond:
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fullfledgedbrewingcompany
- Website - https://fullfledgedbeer.com/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fullfledgedbeer/
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Riding Tandem with Vivian Kvam
A podcast from Tandem Works
Email the team: RidingTandem@thetandemworks.com
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