This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today we feature Marc Melanson of Flying Boats Brewing, in Dieppe.

EARLIER IN MY CAREER AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER I HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED DIRECTLY WITH TECHNICAL SALES AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT, WHICH I FOUND REWARDING AND FULFILLING. THIS LED TO MORE CHALLENGING ASSIGNMENTS AND HELPED DEVELOP MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN A BUSINESS-CENTRIC ENVIRONMENT.

So when it came to building a microbrewery starting as a micro-business, I had the skills and knowledge of how to build the business case and how to scale up and when to work with specialists to help in areas outside of my competencies.

Seeing the continued popularity of our craft beer products with an eye on our financial sustainability is rewarding.

Supporting local is an important part of our operations plan, marketing messaging and promotional events. This means everything from purchasing local ingredients, when available, or purchasing from local suppliers to fill our operational needs. We also try to help local not-for-profit and charities with donations.

A prime example is our Foodie Fridays, where we invite local small food pop-up operators to come to our brewery and sell their pre-prepared food directly to our clientele, or the yearly Christmas market where small independent local artists sell their creations in a market-like atmosphere inside the brewery.

For me, the core idea is to keep as much of our spending in the local economy to keep that money flowing locally.