Start Local, Build Something Bigger: Brixton Brewery

In this live episode of Virgin StartUp Changemakers, Ben Keene sits down with Brixton Brewery co-founders Xochitl Benjamin and Mike Ross to explore how a shared love of beer and their local community grew into one of South London’s best-known craft beer brands. From experimenting with home brewing and delivering beer on foot around Brixton to building a distinctive brand and eventually partnering with Heineken, Xochitl and Mike share the decisions behind Brixton Brewery’s growth. They explore starting a business with friends and partners, building deep roots in a local community, knowing when outside investment can help you scale and what it feels like to eventually step away from a business you've built. Whether you're starting a food or drink business, building a community-led brand or considering investment and growth, this episode offers practical founder lessons on starting small, staying distinctive and finding the right partners for the next stage. In this episode: Turning a shared interest into a viable business idea Starting a brewery without professional brewing experience Why Brixton became central to the brand rather than simply its location Building a distinctive identity in a crowded craft beer market Starting a business with friends and life partners Growing production when your original space can no longer keep up Deciding whether investment from a much larger company is right for you Maintaining your identity while working with a global partner Knowing when it is time for founders to step back from the business Changemakers is brought to you by Virgin StartUp, the not-for-profit organisation helping founders start and scale the businesses they're passionate about. Recorded live at Virgin StartUp's Changemakers events, every episode features honest conversations with entrepreneurs, founders and business leaders sharing the lessons, challenges and ideas shaping the future of business. Looking to start or grow your own business? Find out more at virginstartup.org Brought to you in partnership with our friends at Virgin Money - the home of brighter business banking.