We were lucky to catch up with Judy Neff recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Judy, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
My biggest risk I had taken was leaving my comfortable 40 hour a week job and starting a brewery with my husband 6 years ago. The biggest risk I’ve taken since was leaving a rented, successful brewery location and purchasing our own location after only 5 years in business. It has been overwhelming and we almost thought we weren’t going to make it. Without the support of my husband, my family and his family and our friends, I had the confidence to take these risks and was able to make it to the other side of such a big and risky decision.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner and brewer at Checkerspot Brewing in Baltimore, Maryland. We are a 20 barrel brewery with a taproom where you can enjoy the beer we brew onsite. We strive to be a comfortable place for everyone and offer a wide selection of beers, with the belief that there’s something for everyone. We also bring nature into the industrial location and recognize that without great ingredients, there is no great beer. Community support is our driving force and we have been fortunate to collborate with so many amazing non-profits and groups in the area and it’s been amazing to see what the power of beer can do! We opened in 2018 and just moved to our new location at 1421 Ridgely St this September 2023, our forever brewery home in the heart of South Baltimore.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Confidence, thoroughness, genuine relationships. If you are just starting out, reach out to people in your field and make the effort to get to know them and learn from them. This type of a pay it forward relationship can build lasting friendships and a support network.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Especially with the stress of running an existing brewery and then trying to build out, move into and open another location, the stress has been overwhelming. I found meditation to be the best way to ground myself. My other stress relief is being around my supportive husband and working together through things and being around our sweet dog.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.checkerspotbrewing.com
- Instagram: checkerspotbrewing
- Facebook: Checkerspot Brewing
Image Credits
Beer Artwork by Adam Miller
