Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Roger Newton The Canadian Brewhouse Edmonton
F
rom the moment Roger Newton, President of The Canadian Brewhouse, began talking, it was clear he was a born leader and entrepreneur. With very little capital and at the young age of 21, he launched the first Brewhouse. His customers were mainly his friends, but through hard work, perseverance and investing all the early profits in the business, Newton grew the company to the beloved establishment it is today. In less than 13 years, The Canadian Brewhouse grew to 11 locations, with more on the way. Are entrepreneurs born or made? I believe they are born. Entrepreneurs need to be decision-makers and risk takers. What would you say are the top skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? A strong work ethic, the desire to succeed and the ability to advance after a setback. How important have good employees been to your success? They are vital. Employee skills need to be recognized so they can achieve success in their areas of strength. How can Canada support a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem? To encourage entrepreneurs, we need to start teaching money and life skills in grade school. What was your first job? Delivering newspapers. Let me rephrase that … delivering most of the newspapers assigned to my route! What is your passion other than entrepreneurship? I am passionate about my three children – even when they keep me up at night or their antics make me want to hide from them to relax … with a fine Brewhouse product in hand! What book are you reading now? Great books are meant to be read more than once, which is why I’ve been reading Goodnight Moon and Bus Stops to my daughter – about seven times in a row each evening, every evening. What motivates you? Seeing co-workers succeed and guests enjoying what we have created. My advice for entrepreneurs is to keep your plans to yourself. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, and if you are in need of some creative juices, come visit The Canadian Brewhouse!
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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014