BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The dream, as yet unrealized, has reached its 10th birthday.
Despite years of countless slammed doors, unreturned phone messages and unfruitful meetings with executives appearing as disinterested in his product as if he were pitching root canal, Tom Kester refuses to be shaken from this slumber.
And so, on a slate-gray Wednesday morning, Kester, of Bethlehem, pitched his dream of starting a 2.5% alcohol beer company — Recreation Point Brewing.
“If this product was out there, if there were a handful of them, we wouldn't even bother adding another one.”Tom Kester, local entrepreneur
He did so before nearly 50 other entrepreneurs and business owners at the Northampton Community College’s Follett Family Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at a weekly gathering titled 1 Million Cups.
“We believe in the product,” Kester said. “If this product was out there, if there were a handful of them, we wouldn't even bother adding another one.”
Part of a 121-member national initiative, 1 Million Cups-Lehigh Valley provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and their communities to gather and connect, where they can work through business challenges and identify opportunities.
Created by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City in 2012, 1 Million Cups is a free, national program that first and foremost educates, but also engages and connects local entrepreneurs.
Helpful tips from entrepreneurs
Locally, at 9 a.m. each Wednesday at Northampton Community College, novice entrepreneurs and businesses less than five years old are invited to share their stories over a cup of coffee and connect with the community.
The presentation is not a sales pitch; it's a chance to learn, collaborate and grow.
During Wednesday’s hour-long session — a 12-minute slide presentation followed by a question-and-answer period — Kester benefitted from suggestions from the deep well of knowledge in the room.
“You should make a game of it — spin a wheel, rate the beer. I’d also love to see you have an onsite game about who you are and why you exist.”Rita Guthrie, owner of Open Door Public Relations in Whitehall Township, to prospective beer maker Tom Kester
Rita Guthrie, owner of Open Door Public Relations in Whitehall Township, suggested Kester organize beer tasting at various events.
“You should make a game of it — spin a wheel, rate the beer,” Guthrie said. “I’d also love to see you have an onsite game about who you are and why you exist.”
Find someone in the industry with beer marketing experience, another added.
A Ukraine native on Zoom told Kester he should investigate the European market, which has an increasing demand for low- and non-alcohol beverages.
Kester nodded at each helpful tip from the entrepreneurs, figuratively tucking each into a hip pocket like a lucky clover.
'A ton of opportunities'
The dream continues:
A joint venture with a regional brewery?
Launching a small brewery location with contract brewing and self distribution?
Licensing his product to existing breweries?
Kester is not fussy. He said he'd take whichever gives him a green light to launch his beer, which he said maintains regular beer taste, has fewer calories and has enough alcohol to deliver the buzz without the blitz.
A retired pharmaceutical analytical chemist who also worked at a Philadelphia brewery in the 1980s, he said he dreams of one day experiencing a positive reaction.
“This gives people a ton of opportunities to present their ideas and their challenges to others who can offer suggestions that may help them."David C. Myers, a member of the local 1 Million Cups organizing committee.
“This gives people a ton of opportunities to present their ideas and their challenges to others who can offer suggestions that may help them,” said David C. Myers, a member of the local 1 Million Cups organizing committee.
As the event ended, Kester was approached by entrepreneurs in the room impressed with his project and wish him well. The comments were gale winds against his sails.
Kester was asked whether he believes his project will ever be realized.
“Not strongly,” he admitted. “Not until we find somebody that truly shares the vision of the product. But we believe in it.”
The dream continues.
