Jim Koch and Samuel Adams
In 1984, Jim Koch was already a very successful individual. Most people would love to earn a single degree from an Ivy League University. Jim Koch earned a Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University. For being a founding father of the American craft beer scene, Jim’s Wikipedia page is approximately one-hundred words in length. To avoid a stat-ridden blog, you will find it hard to visit a purveyor of adult libations that does not carry Mr. Koch’s brand.
While I do not attend Harvard, and I am not becoming a lawyer, I do share some educational parallels with Jim. I earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wayland Baptist University. Following, I earned a Master of Arts in Administration, with a focus in Healthcare Administration, from the University of the Incarnate Word. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. (in International Education & Entrepreneurship) at the University of the Incarnate Word. I would say I share Jim’s passion for beer. At the least, I share his passion for not working a 9 to 5 that your heart is not in. During Jim’s How I Built This podcast episode, he mentions a question he asked himself while earning a hefty wage at the Boston Consulting Company. He wanted to know why he would spend one day at a job if he did not see himself doing that job for the rest of his life. I used to chase paychecks. The military, and the various missions that came along with that adventure, have evolved my perspective.
Differences in Situation: Jim vs. Me
Plain and simple, Jim Koch had his name in the beer game before he was even interested. Jim’s father, and several ancestors, have been head brewers. Jim’s dad had recipes for him to begin brewing. Additionally, Jim’s father’s connections in the beer industry opened several doors for him. I take nothing away from Mr. Koch, as I enjoy most of Samuel Adam’s product line, but these advantages proved crucial. I do not have a father who was a brewer, but he did introduce me beer at an early age. To be clear, I have nothing against affordable beer. I am not a beer snob, but most of the flavors I enjoy are found at a certain price point. I would like to think I have completed the phase of my life where I drank copious amounts of beer, just because.
Is Passion Enough When You Are Late to the Game?
If you listen to Jim’s story you will find that in addition to his pedigree, he had a few breaks. I do believe his passion, IQ, and lean approach, had a lot to do with his success. Breaks can only be spread out so much, amongst a group. The amount of successful craft brewers is growing exponentially. However, I believe that many successful entrepreneurs possess a level of passion that is bigger than success or failure. The attempt of pursuing a dream is reward enough, at least for this beer-drinking, future entrepreneur.