Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Febre.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Not gonna lie, it all started with a divorce. My new husband likes to say you can’t make an omelet without breaking an egg…that about sums it up. Although I had worked all through my youth into my 30’s, I was lucky enough to be able to stay home when babies came. When the marriage ended, however, I had to get a job of some kind.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, inherited from my father who owned a deli with a cult following in Pasadena in the 60’s. [Literally, the Manson Family cult parked their bus in the parking lot at night occasionally!]. The idea of going back to an office job was terrifying for a variety of reasons, so I compiled a list of “dream businesses.” Everything from Art Gallery to Dog Walking. I studied each business in depth and settled on Brewery. A big factor in this decision is that I realized I’m an entrepreneur, but also a chicken. I wanted my new husband to help me. He was a landscaper at the time. He has massive, rough, Scottish Highland farmhands, a knack with concrete, plumbing and electrical, and a can-do attitude and creative spirit. I didn’t think he’d be happy in a cupcake shop. So here we are today. Our British-themed brewery, named after Alastair’s clan, MacLeod, is surviving and thriving and coming up on our 6th year!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road, and money is usually the #1 issue. I like to say I used the “Steve Jobs sell everything including the VW Bus” method of fundraising. Emptied out the 401K, sold the house, sold the Apple shares, borrowed money from Dad, you name it. It still wasn’t enough, but we’ve scratched and clawed and somehow always manage to find coins in the sofa when needed.
Employee struggles are real. When you realize you don’t jive with your brewer, it can be scary. But you have to have the confidence that losing that specific person won’t bring the company down, and could actually be an opportunity to improve. I like to think that every brewer we’ve had has been an improvement on the last. We’re on our 4th brewer now, and I’m loving the quality of our beer more than ever.
Please tell us about MacLeod Ale Brewing Co.
We have a small, British-focused brewery in the heart of the automotive district of Van Nuys! We’re known for cask ale, which is a traditional British style. We did nothing but cask ale for 18 months. Then we added the “cold fizzy stuff” that Americans are accustomed to. We’ve won a few medals along the way. Funnily enough, our most decorated beer is our American Light Lager…basically our answer to Bud Light! We make our version with the best craft ingredients, and give the beer the proper amount of time…Six weeks, which is the proper amount of time for a lager.
I’m most proud of the fact that we have created a fun work environment, and that people know us for quality. Whether it’s beer or pizza, it’s a given that it’s going to be really, really good.
What sets us apart is our relaxed environment. It’s simply a fun place to hang out! Friends meet here, families, people bring their dogs, etc. It feels very much like a cool village hall. Also, free peanuts [although we’re on a COVID 19 peanut pause].
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was five years old, my family moved to England. We were there for seven years and it was glorious. It had a major impact on me…to this day I feel very much English even though my DNA says otherwise. I think my favorite memory from that time was simply lying on my back on the delicate English grass, looking up at puffy white clouds in a beautiful blue sky.
Pricing:
- Most beers $8
- Most pizzas $14-15
- T-Shirts/Hats $20
Contact Info:
- Address: 14741 Calvert Street
Van Nuys, CA 91411 - Website: https://www.macleodale.com
- Phone: (818) 631-1963
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macleodale
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macleodale
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/macleodale
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/macleod-ale-brewing-van-nuys
- Other: https://macleodale.square.site/
Image Credit:
Bio pic: Kevin McIntyre; All other pics: Charles Owens
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