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.