Benjamin Akande, dean of the School of Business and Technology at Webster University, will host Thomas Schlafly, president and cofounder of the Saint Louis Brewery, Inc., 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, February 19 in the Sunnen Lounge, University Center at Webster University. Akande asked Schlafly about crafting beer in St. Louis and the benefit a diverse city brings to his business.
Akande: St. Louis is a culturally diverse city. How do you take advantage of this at Saint Louis Brewery Inc?
Schlafly: Most of the styles of beer we brew were virtually unknown in St. Louis when we first opened for business. We’ve been fortunate that St. Louisans have come to appreciate diversity in beer as well as in other aspects of life. Our employees are tremendously diverse and as a result have contributed to the business in ways we could never have predicted. And our customers reflect a diversity of which I was largely unaware when we opened.
For example, one of the most rewarding occasions for me was a fundraiser we held at The Tap Room for a hospital in Haiti on whose board I serve. Thanks to an introduction by Chris King, the editorial director of the American, we got some invaluable assistance from the Haitian community in St. Louis. Prior to the event, I don’t think I had ever met any Haitians in St. Louis; and here they were at The Tap Room, supporting a cause in which I believed strongly.
Akande: What can be done throughout the city so St. Louis can benefit more from the diversity of its citizens?
Schlafly: I wish I knew the answer. St. Louis’s neighborhoods are among its strengths. But the downside is a reluctance on the part of some to look beyond their own neighborhoods and the people with whom they went to high school. We need highly visible examples of how diversity benefits everyone concerned. The problem is that diversity often represents a change in the status quo, and people often fear change.
Akande: What advice do you have to anyone who wants to strike out as an entrepreneur?
Schlafly: Don’t be discouraged if others tell you your idea can’t work. Also, no matter how thorough your business plan is, you need to be flexible. I’ve often said our business is improvisational like jazz, not carefully orchestrated like a symphony. Finally, assume that all construction will cost more and take longer than you plan.
Akande: How do you measure success, personally, as a civic leader and at the Saint Louis Brewery, Inc.?
Schlafly: One of my favorite quotations is “To whom much has been given, of him much is expected.” I think one measure of success for individuals and enterprises is whether they take full advantage of their potential. I’ve also recognized the need for realistic expectations. There are a lot of things worth doing, and I’m not going to be able to do most of them.
As an individual, I feel fortunate that I’ve been able find a career that’s interesting and rewarding. I am very blessed to be in a position to give something back to the community. It’s fulfilling to know that I’ve been among the many who have helped make a difference.
As for the brewery, it’s gratifying that we’ve been able to grow the business for 16 years, provide employment for over 1,000 people in that time, help improve the neighborhoods in which we’re located, and provide enjoyment for our customers. I’d never be so foolish as to claim that we alone have revived the Downtown Loft District and Maplewood. But it’s nice to know we’ve played a role in the process.
Akande: What is the future for microbreweries? How will this impact St. Louis and what you do at the Saint Louis Brewery Inc.?
Schlafly: Once again, I wish I knew the answer. Sixteen years ago, the conventional wisdom was that there was no future for a microbrewery in St. Louis. Now it’s obvious that there is a niche for us in the beer market. But no one knows how big that niche is.
The big change in the past 16 years would be the common realization of interdependence on the part of craft brewers and large breweries. The St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival, which will once again be held in May in Forest Park, is a great example of recognizing that what’s good for craft brewers is almost always good for large breweries.
We have been promoting Schlafly as the craft beer from America’s beer capital. St. Louis has a wonderful tradition in brewing that goes back a long time. As a craft brewery in St. Louis, we have benefited from this reputation. And, with all due modesty, I’m pleased to say we’ve contributed to it.
For complimentary registration for the Feb. 19 event, visit www.Webster.edu/speakers or call 968-5986.