How Hold Fast Brewing Built Its Team

In an industry known for turnover, Hold Fast Brewing in Springfield, Missouri, has kept its five core managers since opening in 2019. Co-owner Carol McLeod attributes this rarity to intentional hiring and a culture that empowers employees, values their ideas, and ensures they feel both appreciated and invested in.

Hiring for Strengths and Empowering Potential Leadership

“The main thing is hiring people who have strengths that you don’t,” McLeod says. She and her sister, co-owner Susan McLeod, brought on a team of managers who were given the reins to excel in distinct areas. Kaitlan Foland oversees social media, Sarah Tweedle manages events, and Cynthia Lee handles operations. McLeod explains, “You have to empower them so they feel valued and heard. It’s not just compensation but giving them ownership over parts of the business.” This visible trust inspires new hires to aim for the same level of responsibility and involvement.

Trusting Employees To Drive Growth

Hold Fast’s collaborative culture relies on managers’ input to shape the brewery’s direction. McLeod shares how Tweedle proposed starting a book club shortly after the brewery opened. “It’s probably our biggest event,” she notes. “The Facebook group ‘Books and Brews’ has 2,000 followers.” Even when ideas don’t work out, McLeod emphasizes the importance of giving staff room to innovate. “Sometimes they’re successful, and sometimes they’re not, and that’s okay.”

Prioritizing Employee Well-Being

From day one, McLeod and her sister set a tone of care and respect. “We paid almost double what other breweries and bars were paying,” McLeod says. This financial stability ensures staff don’t need to leave during slower winter months. They also offer opportunities to earn extra income by working on brewery projects.

The McLeods’ commitment shone during the pandemic when they kept all four full-time employees on payroll. “That translates into loyalty,” McLeod states. Hold Fast also invests in bonding through semi-annual events like pedal bike tours. “We want them to know we appreciate how hard they work and that they’re the reason for our success,” she says.

Measuring the Impact of Investment

Although small businesses often struggle to justify employee-related expenses, McLeod sees these as essential. For example, Hold Fast sends staff to the Brewers Association’s annual conference, covering travel and wages. “We have honest conversations about what they learned and how they’ll implement it into the business,” she says. Additionally, they’ve added supplemental insurance, a decision that was met with staff appreciation.

Advice for Other Business Owners

McLeod’s advice is straightforward: “If you invest in your people and they stay, you save more money than constantly hiring and training. These are the people who face your customers every day and represent your brand.” At Hold Fast, that investment begins with a structured interview and training process. “From the start, we reiterate our expectations,” McLeod says. “And when we have fun, we have fun.”

By prioritizing trust, empowerment and consistent values, Hold Fast Brewing has created a workplace where employees want to stay, thrive and contribute. For McLeod, it’s clear: Taking care of your team is the secret to lasting success.