Meet Samuel Phanor

We recently connected with Samuel Phanor and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from the diverse and challenging experiences I’ve encountered throughout my life. Serving over 20 years as an Army Reservist, including two tours in Iraq, was instrumental in shaping my ability to adapt, persevere, and lead in high-pressure situations. Those experiences taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving tough moments, but about embracing them, learning from them, and growing stronger.

My time as a police officer also gave me a deep and thorough understanding of the importance of discipline and focus, especially when facing difficult or unpredictable situations. The combination of my military and law enforcement background has provided me a solid foundation for handling whatever life throws my way.

On a more personal level, my commitment to community work—whether it’s advocating for causes like human trafficking, homelessness, or veterans’ issues—fuels my drive. Knowing that what I do has a tangible, positive impact on others helps me stay resilient. It’s about purpose, growth, and making a difference, both in my businesses and community.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Samuel Phanor, and I’ve had the privilege of building several ventures that reflect not just my professional experiences, but also my passion for creativity and community. Currently, I serve as the Chief Hops Officer at Pompano Beach Brewing, where I’m focused on reimagining the brewery’s operations, crafting new beers, and creating a more community-centric vibe. What’s exciting about this role is blending creativity with craft beer to not only offer unique brews but also support causes that matter, such as human trafficking prevention, homelessness, and veterans’ issues. Beer, for me, is a vehicle to bring people together for meaningful change.

I’ve also founded Savage Lyfe Brewing, known for its small-batch, barrel-aged beers that have become synonymous with quality and innovation in the South Florida brewing scene. Savage Lyfe is now finding a permanent home at Pompano Beach Brewing, which means we’re preparing some exciting limited releases that our customers can look forward to soon.

In addition to my brewing ventures, I’m the Founder and Lead Marketing Strategist at Belēv X, a boutique digital marketing agency with a focus on helping local businesses grow their online presence. We use a service package called the Local Growth Hack to supercharge brand visibility through creative, data-driven strategies. What makes this so rewarding is seeing local businesses—whether they’re coffee shops, breweries, or retail stores—thrive in an increasingly competitive digital world. The results speak for themselves, with brands seeing increased foot traffic, better social media engagement, and more conversions.

Looking ahead, I have several exciting launches and events on the horizon for the companies that I am involved in. Pompano Beach Brewing is preparing for a big expansion, and we’re hosting a festival in celebration of our upcoming limited-edition beer releases. Savage Lyfe Brewing will also be part of this, as we continue to merge our brewing expertise with causes that matter. On the digital front, Belēv X is expanding its services to help more businesses unlock their potential through digital marketing strategies tailored to their unique needs.

Ultimately, everything I do—whether it’s brewing, marketing, or mentoring other entrepreneurs—stems from a deep desire to create meaningful connections and give back to my community. I’m always looking for ways to elevate the people and brands around me, and that’s what drives me each and every day.

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?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities and skills that have been the most impactful are resilience, strategic thinking, and relationship-building.

1. Resilience: Life throws challenges at you, whether you’re in the military, law enforcement, or running a business. My ability to adapt, stay focused, and keep pushing forward has been crucial. For those early in their journey, I’d advise embracing failure as part of the process. Resilience is built by facing tough moments head-on and learning from them. Every setback is a setup for growth.

2. Strategic Thinking: Whether I’m crafting a marketing strategy for a business at Belēv X or developing new beer concepts at Pompano Beach Brewing, having a strategic mindset has been key. It’s not just about making decisions in the moment but thinking ahead and understanding the big picture. My advice is to always be curious and keep learning. Read books, take courses, and surround yourself with mentors who challenge you to think critically and strategically about your goals.

3. Relationship-Building: Relationships are everything. Whether it’s building a community around Savage Lyfe Brewing or forming partnerships through Belēv X, strong relationships have opened doors for me that skills alone never could. For those starting out, my advice is simple: be authentic and genuinely care about the people you meet. Networking isn’t about what you can gain; it’s about building meaningful connections that benefit everyone involved.

Each of these areas has shaped who I am, and they’re still relevant in everything I do today. For those beginning their journey, I recommend staying grounded, being open to learning, and most importantly, staying committed to your vision.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One book that has played an important role in my development is “Crush It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk. This book was a game-changer for me, particularly in how I approach both my businesses and personal brand. Gary’s philosophy of leveraging your passion to build a brand that stands out in the digital age resonated deeply with me, and it’s a message I carry into everything I do, from Savage Lyfe Brewing to Belēv X.

Here are a few impactful nuggets of wisdom from the book that has shaped my journey:

“Passion Is Everything”: Gary emphasizes that passion is the fuel for success. If you don’t truly love what you’re doing, you won’t have the drive to push through the tough times. For me, passion is at the core of everything I do—whether it’s brewing beer or creating marketing strategies. That passion has allowed me to stay resilient and keep innovating, even when the road gets tough.

“Legacy Is Greater Than Currency”: This idea really shifted my mindset. It’s not about making a quick buck; it’s about building something meaningful that leaves a lasting impact. That’s why I’ve always incorporated community causes like human trafficking awareness and veterans’ support into my ventures. It’s not just about business—it’s about creating a legacy that matters.

“Embrace Your Personal Brand”: Gary stresses the importance of authenticity and building a personal brand that reflects who you are. This has been huge for me, especially with Belēv X and Savage Lyfe Brewing. People connect with people, not just products or services. By being genuine and transparent about my journey, I’ve been able to form deeper connections with my audience and clients.

These insights helped me align my passion with purpose, focusing on long-term value rather than short-term gains. The way Gary blends practical advice with inspiration continues to influence how I operate, and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to turn their passion into their life’s work.

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Belēv X

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