Meet Deanna Covas

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deanna Covas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deanna below.

Hi Deanna, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

When I was laid off from my full-time role as a Disney Cast Member due to COVID, I was heartbroken. Like so many others, I suddenly found myself without the career I had poured years into. But instead of letting that loss define me, I decided to take a leap of faith and create something new from the ground up.
That leap became Tap That Beer House—a self-pour taproom in Davenport, Florida, built around community. I channeled my hospitality experience, love for people, and drive to start over into a space where friends could gather, unwind, and feel at home. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. What began as a pivot during a pandemic became a passion project and now a growing business. It’s a struggle but it’s very rewarding when I look around and think that all this came from an idea that I turned into reality.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As a woman-owned business owner, my focus has always been about building something meaningful, not just for myself, but for my family. I poured my heart and soul into Tap That Beer House, and even when business has been slow or uncertain, giving up simply isn’t an option Because I’ve invested too much of myself in this dream. Instead, I’ve doubled down because I want my kids to see firsthand what persistence looks like, what it means to show up every day for your vision.
I’m not stopping here. I’m working toward eventually franchising the brand. At the same time, I’m carving out space to nurture another dream: my writing. I’m an indie author, and I’m currently working on my fifth novel. It’s easy for that passion to get lost in the daily hustle of running a business, but I refuse to let it. Selling my books inside my taproom is a dream come true…proof that it’s possible to create a space where all your passions can live together.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Persistence! There were times it felt like the walls were caving in…slow days, unexpected expenses, self-doubt. But I didn’t let those moments stop me. I kept showing up, kept trying new things, and kept believing in what I was building.
Vision…the ability to look ahead helped me stay grounded. When things weren’t going well in the moment, I reminded myself that hard days don’t define the whole journey. That forward-thinking mindset kept me moving.
Adaptability helped me survive and grow. I started this business after being laid off from my full-time Disney job during COVID. That pivot was only possible because I was willing to embrace change and reinvent myself.
My advice to anyone early in their journey, be it starting a new business or writing is this…don’t wait to feel 100% ready. Start. Be consistent. When it gets hard, and it will, lean into your why. Learn as you go, be kind to yourself, and stay focused on where you’re going, not just where you are.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

What do I do when I feel overwhelmed? First, I pause. I’ve learned that when my thoughts start spiraling or I begin overthinking every detail, that’s my signal to reset. I turn to meditation and prayer. I take a step back, breathe, and intentionally put it in God’s hands. I remind myself that I’m not in control of every outcome, and it’s not my job to decide if I’m going to fail when I’m doing the best I can.
I also trust in the timing of the universe. There’s power in letting go of the pressure to have it all figured out. That shift in mindset helps me stay centered and grounded, even when things feel chaotic. I’ve found that clarity and answers often come in the stillness…not in the hustle.
So when you feel overwhelmed, don’t push harder. Realign. That’s what gives me the strength to keep moving forward. And if it does fail, I’ll know it wasn’t meant to be and that I tried my best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.tapthatbeerhouse.com
• Instagram: @tapthatbeerhouse
• Facebook: @tapthatbeerhouse
• Youtube: @tapthatbeerhouse
• Other: Writer website- www.deedeecovas.wixsite.com