Chase Kushak, President of Blake’s Hard Cider Co. and Partner in Gypsy Spirits, joins host Gregg Garrett to discuss Chase’s niche in helping visionary entrepreneurs scale their enterprises and the overall importance of integrators. Chase shares his “Top 3”: Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers at Founders Brewing Co.; Michael Kazanowski and Adam Kazanowski at Gypsy Spirits; and Andrew Blake at Blake’s Hard Cider Co. And you have to hear what he says about competing on pace.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

During this episode:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:12) The importance of integrators

(06:47) Meet Chase

The “Top Three”:

(12:22) Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers at Founders Brewing Co.

(14:30) Michael Kazanowski and Adam Kazanowski at Gypsy Spirits

(15:00) Andrew Blake at Blake’s Hard Cider Co.

Other Points of Interest:

(16:30) The switch to craft beer and Chase’s role as an integrator

(22:34) Blake’s and the new fourth category of alcoholic beverages

(34:07) Alcoholic beverages and the connecting world

(38:26) The future of Blake’s 

You Have to Hear This:

(44:00) Competing on pace

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Chase Kushak: LinkedIn

Gregg Garrett: LinkedIn | Twitter | About

CGS Advisors: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

ABOUT CHASE KUSHAK

Chase has over 35 years of experience leading successful startups and high-growth companies across several industries.  Chase is currently President of Blake’s Hard Cider Co. and a partner in Gypsy Spirits.   He previously led the startup of a vertically integrated cannabis company in Michigan and also led Founders to extraordinary growth from the #36 to the #9 craft brewery in the country as COO.  Previous to the alcohol beverage industry, Chase was the National Director of Operations for Pulte Homes, Line of Business Director at Covisint, and a Sr. Manager in Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting practice.