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In Part Three, we'll dive into the heart and soul of Walking Tree Brewery with founders Mike and Brooke as they unpack their powerful mission statement: "Staying rooted in practice, promise, and people." This candid conversation reveals how a personal art project evolved into an iconic brewery logo, and why mangrove roots perfectly symbolize their commitment to community strength.

What happens when business ideals meet operational realities? Mike and Brooke share refreshingly honest insights about the challenges of local sourcing at brewery scale. While they'd love to use exclusively Florida-grown ingredients, they explain why sometimes it's simply not sustainable. Instead, they've found creative alternatives for community impact, from hosting nonprofit fundraisers to amplifying environmental messages about protecting Florida's fragile lagoon ecosystems.

You'll discover how Walking Tree has become a melting pot where submarine officers, seasonal visitors, and longtime locals connect over craft beer. Through their journey, Mike (a Fort Pierce native) and Brooke (a self-proclaimed "mountain person" who surprisingly loves shoveling snow) have developed a deep appreciation for Vero Beach's unique character. Their story proves that authentic purpose and deep community roots are the perfect recipe for business success. Want to experience more local business stories like this? Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe to the Vero Beach podcast!

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What does it truly take to run a successful craft brewery? The Walking Tree Brewery founders pull back the curtain on the daily realities of their business, a world where passion for great beer meets the unglamorous tasks of plumbing repairs and navigating outdated alcohol regulations.

This candid conversation reveals how Walking Tree's journey evolved from their initial focus on distribution to embracing their unexpected role as a community hub. The owners discuss how managing 17 employees, coordinating a packed events calendar, and maintaining their 80-year-old facility creates a constant juggling act. You'll hear how they've become not just brewers but plumbers, electricians, advocates, and community builders by necessity.

Beyond operations, the conversation explores craft beer's place in the broader market. Rather than competing directly with macro brewers, Walking Tree focuses on creating distinctive flavors across 23 different styles while fostering fierce local loyalty. Their "Stay Rooted" philosophy has cultivated a sense of ownership among customers, people who proudly wear their merchandise and consider Walking Tree "their brewery." Whether hosting 100-person yoga classes or carefully crafting new flavor profiles, everything centers on creating memorable experiences that transcend the beverage itself.

Discover why craft beer thrives on community connections, how Walking Tree balances creative brewing with commercial viability, and why the most successful breweries aren't simply selling beer, they're creating belonging. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about the businesses that shape your community, this conversation offers valuable insights into the passion and persistence required to build something meaningful from the ground up.

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Tucked away in Vero Beach sits an extraordinary 24,000 square foot piece of World War II history that nearly faced demolition. Instead, it became the home of Walking Tree Brewery, a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance, even during tough economic times.

Meet Mike and Brooke, the husband-and-wife team who transformed this abandoned 1940s naval aviation supply warehouse into one of Florida's distinctive craft breweries. What makes their story remarkable isn't just the jaw-dropping Douglas fir trusses soaring overhead or the clear 160-foot span that leaves first-time visitors momentarily speechless. It's the raw courage it took to leave stable jobs during economic uncertainty and survive what they affectionately call the "rice and beans years."

"We were literally selling artwork at sidewalk fairs so that we could keep food on the table," Brooke reveals, describing the eighteen months between Mike leaving his lumber yard job and the brewery generating income. Their entrepreneurial journey began when Florida had just 50 craft breweries (compared to today's 430), spotting an opportunity that required tremendous vision.

Perhaps most refreshing is their candid approach to business ownership. Brooke shares how transparency about mistakes has helped them maintain staff in an industry known for high turnover.

Ready to experience this remarkable space and story yourself? Visit Walking Tree Brewery Tuesday through Sunday and witness how dreams can ferment into reality with enough determination and a historic building worth saving.

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What happens when a hometown you once called "Vero Zero Beach" becomes the perfect place to build your dream business? Amanda from Level Yoga takes us on her journey from skeptical local to passionate small business owner, revealing how Vero Beach transformed before her eyes into a community of extraordinary support and connection.

Growing up in Vero Beach, Amanda never imagined returning to her roots until life brought her back through marriage to another Vero native. Now, she couldn't imagine running her yoga studio anywhere else.

Amanda shares how Vero Beach rallied around Level Yoga during difficult times. From heartfelt cards and supportive messages to unexpected financial gifts, including a generous $1,000 check from someone who told her, "you're doing something right." These gestures became lifelines during uncertainty. She keeps these tokens of appreciation to read on challenging days, finding renewed purpose in the community's belief in her work.

Looking ahead, Amanda is expanding retreat offerings beyond North Carolina and revamping her 200-hour teacher training program, which has trained new instructors and transformed participants' lives.

Have you discovered a local Vero Beach business that deserves recognition? Let them know how much they mean to you; your support might be exactly what keeps their doors open and their passion alive. Subscribe to the Vero Beach Podcast for more inspiring stories from the heart of our community.

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Ever wondered what it takes to run a successful yoga studio? Amanda from Level Yoga Studio pulls back the curtain on her entrepreneurial journey, revealing the surprising balance of teaching, practicing, and business management that fills her days.

Despite founding and running two successful yoga locations, Amanda remains committed to teaching four classes weekly while maintaining her own practice. "When I'm teaching, I don't look at that as my yoga practice," she explains, highlighting the mindful separation between guiding others and nurturing her personal connection with yoga. This dedication to both sides of her yoga journey provides a fascinating glimpse into authentic leadership in the wellness space.

Amanda's path hasn't been without challenges. From overcoming her discomfort with being on camera (despite her broadcasting background) to the weekly stress of managing schedules across multiple locations, she candidly shares the realities behind the serene studio environment.

Perhaps most encouraging is hearing how Amanda conquers impostor syndrome through years of entrepreneurship: "Every little hurdle shows me that I can do it." Her journey from uncertainty to confident studio ownership offers inspiration for anyone questioning their own capabilities in business or life.

Ready to discover more about the varying styles of yoga offered at Level Yoga - from beginner-friendly Vinyasa to Hot Power classes? Follow their Instagram @LevelYoga to see Amanda's journey continue to unfold and perhaps find motivation for your own practice.

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Discovering how yoga can transform both body and mind is at the heart of our conversation with Amanda Steadman, owner of Level Yoga Studio. As she celebrates an impressive 10-year milestone with her Vero Beach studios, Amanda reveals how a dark period of her life evolved into a thriving community space that's changing lives.

As Amanda explains, yoga's transformative power extends far beyond the physical benefits most newcomers initially seek. While increased flexibility draws people in, it's the mental clarity and emotional stability that keeps them committed to the practice. At the core of this transformation is proper breathing that can be deployed during moments of anxiety, stress, or overwhelm.

Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just curious about how yoga can support your everyday life, Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when movement meets mindfulness. From healing personal pain to helping others find peace, her journey is one you won’t want to miss.

Tune in to hear how breath, balance, and belief built something beautiful, right here in Vero Beach.

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Ever wondered about the real Florida beyond theme parks and beaches? Pull up a chair and pour yourself something smooth as Ray, owner of Indian River Distillery, takes us on a captivating journey through Vero Beach's colorful past.

Ray's Florida roots run deep. His pioneering family settled on John's Island in 1903, well before Indian River County even existed. This connection to local history infuses everything about his distillery. As Indian River County celebrates its centennial, Ray created a special limited edition whiskey with just 100 bottles. When plans to place the final bottle in a time capsule fell through, he pivoted to something extraordinary, a county-wide historical scavenger hunt leading participants through forgotten landmarks while they search for the prized bottle #100.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Ray reveals the inspiration behind his signature spirits. The notorious Ashley Gang, Florida's answer to Robin Hood, terrorized and charmed the state in the 1920s. These outlaws, who once mounted the last pirate raid against the British Crown, met their end in a controversial shootout at Sebastian River Bridge. Their legacy lives on in Ray's meticulously crafted Ray Lynn's Reserve Bourbon and JHA Rye, each bottle telling a piece of Florida's untamed history.

What truly sets Ray apart is his dedication to preserving stories. His "Stories by the Still" events gather local elders around the distillery to share tales and wisdom, keeping oral traditions alive in our digital age. "Talk to old people," Ray advises, noting that the clarity that comes with age helps you understand what truly matters.

Stop by Indian River Distillery at 3308 Aviation Boulevard to taste exceptional spirits and connect with authentic Vero Beach history. As Ray says with a smile, you can visit their social media or website, or just "knock on the door and ask me." Now that's Florida hospitality worth raising a glass to. 🥃

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What happens when passionate craftsmanship meets Florida's unique environment and rich history? At Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Ray and his team aren't just making spirits—they're bottling the essence of the Treasure Coast itself.

From the moment you step into their "tasting room" (not a bar, as they'll kindly remind you), you're immersed in an experience that honors tradition while embracing innovation. The distillery operates under a craft designation, serving only what they produce on-site—a commitment to authenticity that shapes everything they do.

During our conversation, Ray pulls back the curtain on the meticulous distillation process happening in their 2,800-square-foot production area. We learn how they transform simple grains into complex spirits through grinding, cooking, fermenting, and distilling. But what truly sets them apart is their determination to create distinctively Floridian products. While other distillers might climate-control their aging facilities to mimic Kentucky or Tennessee conditions, Ray insists on embracing Florida's humidity and temperature: "I want to taste Florida whiskey, and if we're going to make Florida whiskey and Florida rum a thing, it needs to be that."

Their dedication extends to every detail—from crafting their own cola and ginger beer rather than settling for commercial mixers, to incorporating a piece of silver from the actual 1715 Spanish shipwreck into their Treasure Fleet rum. As Ray puts it with refreshing honesty, "Does it make it better? No, but it's a cool story."

Beyond the spirits, Indian River Distillery has become a community hub where regulars feel like family and newcomers are warmly welcomed. With live music from talented performers like world-class blues musician Ben Prestage (whose guitar is made from an alligator head!), the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance of fun yet sophisticated.

Whether you're a spirits enthusiast or simply curious about local craftsmanship, join us for this fascinating glimpse into how passion, history, and innovation come together in a glass—one small sip at a time.

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Ray Hooker sits down at Indian River Distillery to share the story behind Vero Beach's premier craft spirits destination. As a third-generation Indian River County resident with deep local ties, Ray brings an authentic Florida perspective that challenges the theme park and beach stereotype visitors often associate with the Sunshine State.

The journey from landscaper to distiller wasn't a straightforward one. After fourteen years building a successful lawn and pest control company with nineteen employees, Ray found himself seeking a creative outlet. What began as experimentation with home distilling ("allegedly," as Ray jokes) evolved into a full-scale spirits operation that celebrates both craftsmanship and local heritage. Now two years into business, Indian River Distillery has established itself as both a production facility and a cultural touchstone.

What sets this distillery apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and education. "Our cocktails aren't really fancy," Ray explains. "They are simple cocktails executed properly with high-quality ingredients." This philosophy extends throughout the business—from refusing to serve shots in favor of teaching proper whiskey appreciation, to naming products after historical figures like the notorious Ashley Gang. Each bottle tells a story about Florida's rebellious past, which Ray proudly acknowledges as part of the state's authentic character.

The family business—run with wife Mandy and 16-year-old son Chandler—maintains a loyal staff who've been onboard since opening day. This stability reflects Ray's leadership approach: communicate clearly, follow through on promises, and strategically drive the business rather than react to daily challenges. As Ray puts it, there's wisdom that comes with age, even if it trades off with the boundless energy of youth.

Visit Indian River Distillery to experience what Ray affectionately calls "the world's largest Mayberry"—a place where quality spirits, Florida history, and community values come together in every carefully crafted glass. Your taste buds and your appreciation for authentic Florida will thank you.

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From snowsuits to flip-flops and surfboards, Linda's journey to Vero Beach began with skepticism but quickly transformed into a 25-year love affair with this charming Florida coastal town. Despite her initial resistance—"I've done spring break, I've done Florida"—Linda found herself captivated by the lush greenery and stunning beauty of Vero Beach during what was supposed to be a brief reconnaissance trip for her husband's job opportunity.

Linda's story takes us from beachfront living (where she learned that salt air "eats everything") to the historic district near the arts village, and finally to Coconut Casita, her current home and thriving vacation rental. Her insights about Vero Beach living are invaluable for anyone considering a move to the area—you're never more than nine minutes from either the ocean or the river, offering endless opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach walks without necessarily dealing with the maintenance challenges of oceanfront property.

What truly makes Vero Beach special, according to Linda, is its soul. Local coffee shops know your order before you place it, art "paints the sky and buildings," and vintage stores "smell like the seventies and smell like a dream." She beautifully articulates the community feeling that the podcast hosts themselves have discovered: "Everybody knows your name. Everybody waves, everybody cares." It's this strong sense of community that inspired the creation of the Vero Beach Podcast—to share these stories and showcase the unique character of a place where "every place is a story." Whether you're planning a visit, considering a move, or already call Vero Beach home, Linda's perspective provides a heartfelt glimpse into what makes this coastal paradise so special. Check out Coconut Casita at coconutcasita.com or follow on Instagram to experience a piece of this magical community yourself.

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