At Banterra, we believe in being more than just a bank for your business. We strive to be your financial partner by offering products that fit your unique needs, building strong relationships, and providing support in every way we can to help your business succeed. One of the ways that we show that support is through Banterra’s “Meet The Merchant” blog series, which provides insight into the entrepreneurial journey of some of our featured business customers and then promoted through our marketing channels.  Andrew Stewart, Co-Owner and Brewer at Many Good Things Brewing in Cape Girardeau, Missouri shares more about he and his business partner, Ray Perez’s start, growth, and partnership with Banterra.

What Was The Inspiration Or Motivation In Starting Your Business? 

In 2013 we had the opportunity to try some of the world class beers from breweries in the Northeast (Vermont/Maine) and we could not find anything like them in this area. Because of that gap and our love of beer, we started home brewing, learning as we went, to recreate/emulate some of our favorites.

After several years, we opened Many Good Things Brewing (MGT) on Water Street in 2021.

Did You Always Dream Of Becoming An Entrepreneur?

Yes. There is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and gratitude when you create something from the start. Ray and I have really enjoyed seeing customers delight in the beers, brand and setting we have at MGT.

How Has Your Business Grown Over The Years?

We have been open for two and a half years and our growth has been organic, mainly by word-of-mouth. We purposely started slowly to ensure we understood our brewing and business processes. We also wanted to put the right people in place and make sure everyone on our team understood the brand and experience we were trying to create. Our sales in the second year were 17% higher than year one and we are on track to be 15% higher in year three from year two. Our limitation at this point is capacity. We need more fermentors to make more beer.

What Have You Done To Achieve Such Growth?

We have tried to focus on bringing our customers more value than what they feel they are paying for. We do not serve food at MGT so we want to make sure we maximize the other "pillars of value" we can offer including great beer in a warm, friendly and clean setting with an engaged staff that tries to help every customer find their "perfect beer".

What Is One Piece Of Advice You Would Give To Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

Have a passion for what you are doing and find ways to make it as good as possible, but also knowing it will never be perfect. Then, seek ways to bring more perceived value to your customers than you ask back from them.

How Does Your Community Play A Role In Your Success?

We home brewed for eight years before we opened MGT during which we invited a lot of our friends and beer enthusiasts to come taste test and give us feedback. Through that process we iterated and refined all of our recipes to the point we thought they were marketable. That community of people that helped us before we were open has been instrumental in our success since we formally opened. In addition, so many people contributed to our business becoming a reality, and Ray and I are both amazed and grateful to all of them for their help and guidance. It has truly been a community of folks and we are so blessed and thankful.

Why Did You Decide To Partner With Banterra?

We are partnering with Banterra because we have known and trusted Phil Moore, Banterra’s Market Executive for the Cape Girardeau region, and his family for years and we know that everyone at Banterra behaves with integrity and honesty.

How Has Banterra Helped Your Business To Become More Successful?

When we first started, Banterra helped us with a loan to acquire a new canning line that we needed because "to-go" beers are a large part of our business plan. We have since paid that loan off and recently, Phil has been guiding us through the process and finances of scaling our business with new, bigger equipment and capacity in addition to a new location.

Staying Connected With Many Good Things Brewing

Stay up to date on all of the good things happening by following Many Good Things Brewing on Facebook and Instagram, as well as on their website. Whether you are looking for a place to unwind or gather a group of friends, we encourage you to stop by this establishment.

Choosing Banterra As Your Business Banking Partner

Banterra is proud to support our business customers within our communities. Whether it is banking products, loan offerings, or treasury management tools, we are dedicated to solutions that fit the unique needs of your business. If you are looking to start or grow your entrepreneurial journey, and need a bank that is truly a partner, connect with our team today.