IndexCompany history, products/services and backgroundThe company's annual revenue and other financial dataThe entrepreneur's educational and business backgroundWhat inspired them to get into your business/ industryWhat main challenges to establish and build the company A successful businessHistory, products/services and background of the companyThe history of Minhas Brewery and Distillery, which is now a group of companies with over $155 million last year in revenue even bigger ones expected this year, begins in 2006. In 2006, Manjit Minhas and his brother purchased for $10,000 what was then the second oldest brewery in the United States, originally called Joseph Huber, scraped together by the brothers who they refused to borrow money from their parents and were denied loans by every bank they approached. The Minhas brothers have since grown the original brewery based in the American Midwest and entered into national and international distribution agreements with Costco's exclusive "Kirkland" brand and Trader Joe's in the United States. In addition to introducing new products and expanding its brand, Minhas Brewery has also become a leader in social and environmental aspects in its industry. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The company's annual revenues and other financial data Net worth: $200 million Manjit started by taking advantage of $10,000 with his brother to acquire one of the oldest brewing companies called Minhas Craft Brewery which once called Joseph Huber. The brewing company is currently one of the largest in Canada and more than 200 people work at Minhas Craft Brewery. The company's sales exceed $150 million. In June 2012 Manjit and his brother founded their second company in Calgary, Alberta, a brewery called Minhas Micro Brewery. The combined companies with breweries and distilleries are worth $155 million. The company has sold over 6 million pints of beer. The company has more than 90 brands of beer, spirits, liqueurs and wines. Its products are sold in 43 states in the United States, they are also sold in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and 15 other countries located in Europe, Asia and South America. Entrepreneur Educational and Business Background Manjit Minhas was enrolled in engineering programs at the University of Calgary and the University of Regina, he also studied as a petroleum engineer; however, after a few years, his focus shifted to entrepreneurship and he decided to focus on creating and marketing businesses. Manjit Minhas is the co-founder and co-owner of breweries, distilleries and wineries under the Minhas Brewery name. It currently has over 90 brands of beer, spirits, liqueurs and wines. Its products are sold in 5 provinces (Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia), as well as 45 states in the United States and 16 other countries. Manjit Minhas takes social responsibility very seriously, so it is the first brewer in Canada to voluntarily put a stewardship warning on all its beer cans. The management warning on the cans reads "Management Warning: Please do not drink and drive - ever. Expectant mothers should avoid drinking alcoholic products. Enjoy this product responsibly - Respect yourself and others." She puts it on all of her products because she believes, as a responsible brewer and citizen of this country, that it's important that she do her part to educate Canadians. More recently, Manjit Minhas has invested in a variety of smallprivate companies as part of his new role as a "dragon" on CBC TV's Dragons' Den. Additionally, it created and produces a special 48-pack of Kirkland Light beers for Costco sold worldwide that has the least amount of packaging materials than any other product in Canada or the United States. It uses no plastic hi-cone rings and requires the least amount of box material. This product alone will save millions of pounds of packaging materials that will end up in already overflowing landfills. Similarly, Manjit Minhas has sold millions of cases of other brands of its beers, such as Boxer Lager, with minimal packaging materials and using sound engineering principles in protecting the environment. Furthermore, he believes that effective use of science and engineering can do a lot of good for people's lives. He used his engineering expertise to produce beer using a minimal amount of chemicals for cleaning and treating water, gas, electricity and water. What inspired them to get into his business/industry Appearing in Edmonton on October 18 at a conference sponsored by TD, Minhas had an inspiring speech aimed at the small business audience on how to succeed. The key words of her speech were: “I gravitate towards mentoring women because I like to get them to think outside the box, break that glass ceiling and get into a business they are passionate about.” It was mostly ignored by every Canadian distiller they reached out to co-package the product. It was a struggle. For many reasons he attended a distillers conference in Texas. The main reason was contact seeking. “My plan was to meet as many people as possible and explain to each person I met who I was and what I was looking for,” says Minhas. His journey into the big industry began when he discovered his goal was operating the largest family-owned distillery in the United States and shipping to Canada. His first supplier also became one of his first mentors. Minhas believes in the power of both giving and receiving mentorship. “TD recognizes the undeniable value that mentorship can have on small business owners,” says Sara Thomson, senior vice president, Small Business Banking at TD. “That's why sponsoring events that connect our small business clients with successful, inspiring entrepreneurs – and potential future mentors – like Manjit is so important to us. “It is easy to find a mentor, all you need is a business plan and great ideas. What are the main challenges to start and make the company a success The first challenge faced by Manjit Minhas was entering the industry. This is was difficult as Manjit Minhas had no experience in the beer industry but studied engineering at the University of Calgary and University of Regina Another challenge faced was that when the first startup the banks did not give a loan to Minhas Without her parents signing her off, since Minhas wanted to do it herself she started the company using $10,000 of her savings By far her biggest challenge was due to her rapid success, which attracted the attention of the police provincial of Ontario, who began "investigating the company's finances for mob ties." This investigation slowed the company down as the company was barred from the Beer Store during this period campaigns were useless as no product could be sold and the beer went bad by the time they managed to sell it again, during this period the company recorded a loss of $1.5 million. Manjit Minhas started his business with $10,000. Which he acquired by selling his car.