Buying Local S3E38: The Power of Belief in Business with Tim Suprise

In this episode of the Buying Local Podcast, host Mike Nelson talks with Tim Suprise, longtime entrepreneur, brewery founder, and employer engagement leader at SUNY Adirondack. Tune in as they discuss his journey from Army ROTC and law enforcement to launching Arcadia Brewing Company, creative ways to raise capital, the importance of trades education, and how pig roasts and British ales built lasting community connections.Find the Buying Local Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Rumble.Connect with Tim on LinkedIn or send him an email today at [email protected]:00 Intro and mission behind the Buying Local Podcast01:07 Tim’s take on offering an alternative to mindless scrolling02:12 Why small business is the purest path to freedom03:40 How job security has changed over generations05:11 The moral imperative of acquiring new skills06:38 Tim’s return to college at age 6508:52 AI’s impact on jobs and opportunity in the trades09:20 The trades shortage and SUNY Adirondack’s role12:25 SUNY Adirondack’s agricultural program and opportunities13:56 Regulatory barriers for small farms and producers17:13 Positive legislative changes for brewers in New York18:32 Tim’s Army ROTC and Ranger School experience23:40 Lessons from military training and teamwork24:47 Tim’s career in law enforcement and politics in hiring25:50 Transition from policing to professional football and corporate work31:11 Entering the craft beer business in the mid-1990s33:12 Raising capital through a Michigan-only stock offering38:52 Plan B: securing loans and winning investor support43:08 The power of belief and selling an idea before it exists46:44 The hidden challenges of entrepreneurship48:18 How industry changes and staffing shortages impact small business49:17 Returning to New York to care for family52:27 Joining SUNY Adirondack and reflecting on its community role54:33 Looking ahead to the next chapter56:21 Brewers grain, pigs, and creating a legendary BBQ event