Meet Lucas Ackerman

We were lucky to catch up with Lucas Ackerman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I would say my work ethic comes from a culmination of different factors. Growing up I was always guided to complete my work to a standard set for me and in complying with that I learned the value of consistency and honest hard work. The vision to see the end goal and remain in line with the plan to get there without cutting corners requires drive. In my business, replication and quality are some of the biggest factors that drive a successful product. Brewing mead requires a knowledge of the effects that each ingredient has on the overall flavor and mouthfeel. The process in itself requires an ethic to remain true to the craft, otherwise you compromise yourself and what you stand for.

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?

From home to meadery, fledgling ideas became a reality, and some others were put to rest. Our business branding is a double Solomon’s knot, which holds great significance to the time period and Scottish culture where mead became a staple beverage. It represents Man’s desire to draw closer to God, a foundation that our meadery rests on. We use raw honey collected from local apiaries, supporting the hard-working farmers and contributing to the survival of honeybees in the SoCal region. All additional flavors, like our crowd favorites: Cornerstone No. 2 and Orange Propaganda, are made with whole fruits and spices, adding another layer of authenticity and transparency to our products

Another facet to the business is our graphic design and labeling. When I was younger, I had a love for art and graphic design but, with it being such a competitive job market, I knew that it was not something to pursue. However, with this business, I am able to utilize the skills that I learned then and design my own branding and labelling! With each new flavor, like our newest releases: Cornerstone No. 2, Orange Propaganda, and Sling n’ Stone, I have the chance to put a new, unique piece of art, fulfilling that drive from my youth.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Patience is one of the biggest and most important qualities in my eyes. In the mead making process, much like any other craft drink process, there are no shortcuts when it comes to creating both a quality product and a reproducible process. Be patient. The best comes to those who wait.

Brainstorming is foundational to any process. Writing down any and all ideas then applying them to your business. This can be anything from the structure of your business to the branding, flavors, and graphics. It is the lifeblood of your business’ creative process and should be utilized and organized often.

Starting a ground up business often requires the owner to run every aspect of the business initially. Being able to understand the different facets of your business is key. Everything from projections and accounting to the labor and quality-assurance required to produce your product should be understood and managed by you.

You are your own drive. No one is going to push you to the next step except you. Align yourself to your goals. Know that it will not be easy. Anything worthwhile is going to be challenging. Constantly push yourself to be better. Never take shortcuts and be patient.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

One of the biggest areas of growth comes in two parts. Firstly, customer service, knowing that sometimes you may not agree with someone but also that you yourself are serving them. You are a direct reflection of what your company stands for and there is no room for arrogance. Lastly, knowing that when it comes to a craft where your product is a drink, not everyone will like it and that’s okay! Being respectful even in awkward situations and providing that face you would expect from your business is of utmost importance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://longhouse-meadery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longhouse_meadery?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==