In this episode of Leadership Talks, Dr. Kate Vawter speaks with Sue Rigler, Owner of Hundred Mile Brewing Co. in Tempe, Arizona, and ASU Alum. 

Tune in to this episode as Sue talks about: 

* How she researched other breweries to create her own space 

* The most surprising thing about her journey of becoming a business owner 

* Advice she would pass on to a new entrepreneur 

* How she recruits and retains employees 

* How she keeps her cup of energy full 

* Advice for women who are ready to make the leap to where they want to be

Hundred Mile Brewing Co. brings Sue Rigler full circle to her college days at Arizona State University, where she earned a degree in Microbiology. Ironically, HMBC is on the very same parcel of land as the iconic and popular 80’s college bar, The Devil House, and where Sue frequented quite often back in the day! Who knew Sue would move back to Tempe after 35 years in California to make her dream of opening a brewery come true on this very same location? Serendipitous.

Sue, originally from Davenport, Iowa, was destined for the beer industry long before her legal drinking age as evidenced by her beer can collection and wearing Budweiser t-shirts at the age of 10. Her unique combination of science and business acumen lead her to go back to school and complete the Certification Brewing Program at U.C. San Diego in 2016. Sue sits on the Board of Directors of Pink Boots Society (PBS), an international  501(c)3 with a membership of over 2,800 members.  PBS promotes women’s roles in the fermentable beverage industry. She leads their biggest annual fundraising event, the Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day® since 2016, helping raise money to fund scholarships for its members. Sue is also a member of the Arizona Brewer’s Guild, San Diego Brewer’s Guild, CA Craft Brewers Association (CCBA), and the Brewers Association.

When she is not enjoying a clean fresh craft beer, she’s earning the right to those carbs by training for either a triathlon or road race of some sort. Sue  is an accomplished Ironman®, has successfully out-swam the sharks in the “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon twice and competed in multiple other athletic events. The brewery partially gets its name from the hundreds of miles she’s logged in during her 43 year running career.  She’s a proud mom of 4 grown kids all who, mistakenly, think they are going to get free beer!

Learn more about Sue Rigler: 

Connect with Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suerigler/  

Website: https://www.hundredmilebrewing.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HundredMileBrewCo  

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hundredmilebrewco/ 

About the Leadership Talks Podcast

In the Leadership Talks Podcast, Kate Vawter speaks with successful leaders across industries — real people and local leaders. In each episode, the conversations explore different people's leadership styles, how people achieve unbelievable success, how a few become the best in the world, and how overcoming challenges can lead to success. 

Subscribe to the Leadership Talks Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-talks/id1690609428 

Subscribe to the Leadership Talks Video Series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadershiptalks6061 

Connect with Dr. Kate Vawter 

Website:  https://ascentsolutions.net/ 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkatevawter/