In this episode we have the pleasure of talking with a former special education teacher turned brewery owner that provides jobs to adults with disabilities. She talks about her journey of following her passion and all the sacrifices she has made in order give others hope. Through the love of beer she has found a way to educate the community by creating an accepting, loving, and inclusive environment.  

Meet Tiffany Fixter the owner of Brewabilty Lab and Pizzabilty (opening in Summer of 2018). She has taken her love of working with adults with disabilities and turned it into two businesses that provide many job opportunities for these adults. Tiffany has done an amazing job of creating simple menus and innovative ways for people to order based on the strengths of her employees. Brewability Lab offers ways for the public to enter into a world where "dis" is replaced with abilities and which the bartenders teach the community how interact with them without judgment. This episode is inspiring, fun, and innovative and we had the honor of spending time with a true, "Lady Boss."

IN THIS EPISODE:

-Meet Tiffany Fixter, the owner of Brewability and a true "Lady Boss."

- Brewability is a brewery that provides jobs for adults with disabilities.

- Tiffany was a special ed teacher and now she owns a brewery. She talks about the Journey from teaching to owning a brewery.

- Tiffany is not only an inspiration to parents, but also to entrepreneurial women who follow their life's passion.

- It is really important for women to encourage and support one another.

- Tiffany uses strategies from teaching to run the brewery.

- There is a color code system in place where a certain color coordinates with beer styles. Red is strawberry blond, blue is passion fruit sour, etc.

- The ordering system is pretty simple with sizes and colors.

- Customers order by color. It also depends on who your bartender is. Alex, who is blind, came up with a system of a ringing a bell when someone needs a beer. Tony is deaf and we teach customers to sign the colors.

- It is great how the people out in the community learn how to relate and communicate in different ways.

- They also have toga parties and silent discos at the brewery.

- Tiffany has a staff of 6 and they all love the job.

- The bartenders do really well. One bartender loves to bartend because he likes serving to all the hot girls that come in.

- One of the employees has moved out on his own and lives in a "fancy apartment."

- Tiffany joked and said, "He lives better than me."

- The bartenders make a lot of tips and they walk out with more money than Tiffany has in her bank account.

- There is something funny that happens everyday. You never know what the employees are gong to say because they say what's on their mind.

- Tiffany gets calls daily from people all over the world asking, "How do you do it?"

- It's overwhelming, however, so many people can relate because many people like beer and everyone has a soft heart for those with disabilities.

- Funding is just so difficult even if you have a great idea or concept. You need capital. Tiffany has ha days where she had to sell equipment to pay everyone.

- Many people don't realize that when they go into business they must be financially prepared for all the little things that come up.

- Many people want Tiffany to franchise, but that is too expensive.

- Tiffany's new journey is to open up a pizzeria that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2018.

- She is hiring 30 employees and a pizza dance team.

- It'll be a walk up to get your food type of place. The menu will be picture based where you can circle the toppings. All pizzas will be made to order. There will be some appetizers, but the menu will be really simple.

- To get this pizzeria open, Tiffany talks about how exhausted she is. She has been hauling trash and she dropped something on her foot and needed stitches.

- Her advice to anyone starting a business is to have a huge passion, and know that you will be sacrificing time with friends.

- You also need capital, so plan in advance.

- Owning your own business becomes your whole life.

- Last but not least, if you are hiring people with disabilities focus and work to their strengths and don't over prompt. Help them be independent. 

MINDSHIFT (takeaways)

1. When you believe in something do it with all your heart and don't listen to what they naysayers have to say.
2. It is important for women to support other women.
3. If you have passion and want to open a business, really plan it out. Get triple the amount of money you need. You won't make money for a while and the rewards will come elsewhere.