Join us for an insightful conversation with Thomas Pettus-Czar, an entrepreneur from Eugene, Oregon, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey. From launching The Barn Light, dubbed the "first bar for 30-year-olds" in Eugene, to establishing a coffee roastery and navigating the franchise landscape, Thomas offers a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Thomas emphasizes the importance of aligning business decisions with personal values and the necessity of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He reflects on the initial struggles of opening a business and the strategies he employed, such as leveraging Kickstarter for fundraising and implementing an employee investment program that empowers his team to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams.

We dive into the intricacies of selling his business, including the decision to hire a business broker and the pros and cons of that choice. Thomas also discusses his experience with franchise ownership, highlighting the value of working with a franchise representative to find the right opportunity.

Tune in for valuable insights on building meaningful relationships, navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and the rewards of staying true to your values. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the business world, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

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Connect with Thomas & More

LinkedIn: / thomas-pettus-czar-4686a4aa

Instagram: / farmersunionroasters

Websites:

https://www.farmersunioncoffee.com/co...

https://tempwallsystems.com/locations...

References:

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday

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Timestamps

00:00 Bar, Beans, and… Walls?

00:32 Introducing Thomas Pettus-Czar

00:43 Thomas' Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

04:57 Leaving Grad School and Starting The Barn Light

07:05 The Challenges & Rewards of Opening The Barn Light

09:26 Choosing The Opening Day and Utilizing Kickstarter

12:08 The Value of Relationships

21:08 Supporting Employee Ventures

24:25 Opening a Second Location & Pursuing Vertical Integration

29:18 Closing The Barn Light

31:17 The Role of a Business Broker in Selling a Business

35:28 The Origin of The Farmers Union

39:50 Timing, Luck, and Unexpected Opportunities

41:26 The Ultimate #DadMove: Transitioning into Franchise Ownership

47:04 The Value of Using A Franchise Rep

52:22 The Concept of Temporary Wall Systems

55:49 Challenges with a New Franchise Business

59:09 What's Next for Thomas

01:01:03 Lightning Round