Cork and Tap Excursions
Central Ohio
I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Garbrandt and I have to say, I loved his energy and passion for life and business. Mike owns and operates Cork and Tap Excursions, a personal, door to door charter service, serving southeast, central and eastern Ohio. Read on to hear about his fun (yet meticulous) vibe, journey into entrepreneurship, and his big plans for the future.
Who is the before person? What was he doing and feeling?
Michael is a family man and was happily working in the energy efficiency industry. His job was green-minded and people-centered, which was perfect for him. But, in October 2020, he was laid off due to regulatory changes. He was job searching and found himself increasingly drained through his next job search.
How did this opportunity present itself?
After the layoff, Michael seized the opportunity to be his own boss, which was something he had always had in the back of his mind.
Growing up in Coshocton, an area with a robust wine trail, Mike and a friend of his had always talked about a wine and brewery charter service. After his layoff in 2020, and the subsequent drain and dissatisfaction with next job prospects, Mike went to his friend with the idea to begin. His friend was unable to join in with Mike at the time and encouraged him to “go ahead and get started.” That was all Mike needed…
When did you know you were going to jump in?
Mike knew he was leaning towards going ahead with his business idea in February of 2021. March 2021 hit and Mike jumped online and on a whim, just registered his Company. He didn’t even tell his wife until a week later when the State of Ohio business registration confirmation came in the mail!
What went into the decision-making process?
Growing up, Mike’s father was the steadfast example of working hard to provide for his family. Because of this, the financial aspects of entrepreneurship is what preoccupied Mike the most in his decision-making. He crunched numbers and started preparing financially for being off work after “seeing it coming” for approximately the entire year prior. He ran scenario after scenario until he felt confident that it was financially “going to be ok.”
What were some roadblocks or obstacles?
Mike’s answer was simple: “The Pandemic.” The vehicle market had become very difficult, and he had gotten to the point where he was willing to travel anywhere to get the vehicle that was so integral to his business. He even had already started marketing his service, and had yet to purchase a vehicle.
Finally, at a sporting event for one of his children, Mike leaned over to a friend and jokingly asked if he would sell him his van. The next day, that man called him and asked if he was serious. (Talk about luck!!) The vehicle type and price were just the right fit! He happened to be in the right frame of mind, at just the right time, in just the right place, as if it were meant to be.
Mike’s once flexible weekday work schedule turned into mostly weekends and his family had to make a shift. Mike used to be able to make his own schedule, so it was quite the change for his family. Mike’s wife is a school teacher, so her summer’s off and Mike’s days off during the week ended up lining up perfectly and made for a great family summer together.
What would you have done differently if you could? Any regrets?
There was nothing Mike would have done differently, and this was answered without hesitation.
“I don’t treat negative experiences like that. I treat them like learning experiences.” (Don’t you just love this?! This will serve Mike well as an entrepreneur.)
He concentrated on tightening his processes and messaging and got “really good at adapting.”
One piece of advice for current and aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Research. Research. Research.”
Mike goes on to say “I see so many businesses open and then close in 6 months.” He recommends knowing your market and focusing on your costs vs. potential earnings to make sure it can work. “Build your pricing around your costs, then ask, is it feasible?” Mike also notes:
“Make sure you stay flexible and adapt to the growth of the business; you can’t stay rigid.” (Sound advice, Mike!)
Mike’s family has an entrepreneurial spirit, as his brother and sister both have businesses. He is grateful for their advice and assistance with book-keeping questions and such along the way. His young adult daughter even has a small swim lesson business.
What is the goal for the business now?
“I want to break the perception that these wineries and breweries are closed. They aren’t. I want to make the winter hours as robust as the summer.” Mike also has his sights set on acquiring another vehicle by summertime, “so I can increase my revenue stream and say yes to customers.”
My goal would be to hire another person to be a true “host” to his customers, not just a driver, and put another van in the Coshocton area and in Amish country.
How are things going currently?
“Right now, I am in a winter lull.” He attributes this to the holiday season, and the recent rise in the COVID cases. He goes on to say how he is using sanitizing techniques and does not “mix groups” to ensure that his customers have the best and safest experiences possible. He notes he was busy until Jan 1, but that the first two weeks of January were slow.
Mike made it very clear that he is his own niche and not just another party bus. He knows what was out there already, and put his own spin on it. He is “beyond pleased with his first year and being able to pay himself.”
Mike partners with lodging groups (and is even “in” with one of the largest lodging groups in Hocking Hills, Ohio that has 75 cabins). He also has a partnership with a flower farm so he can take bridal parties there to make bouquets and do bachelorette parties after bouquet assembly! Mike currently covers 7 counties (Athens, Coshocton, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking and Perry) and is “running solo for now.”
Who were the most instrumental people in your team/ start up process?
“My family.” His daughter is 18 and in college and was helpful in the advertising process and use of social media platforms. His wife is his sounding board and is good at “grounding his lofty dreams.” His entire family has supported him and he continues to receive business advice from his entrepreneur siblings.
Where do you see the business going/ accomplishing in the future?
“My highest dream is to be the biggest winery and brewery service in Ohio.” He would like to expand into northeast Ohio where the most wineries are and to have a big presence in Ohio Wine Country. Mike notes there are 10 new wineries opening in the area that he already covers! It sounds like there is a wonderful season ahead for Cork and Tap Excursions!!
Anything else to know? Are there other big pieces to the story we have not discussed?
“People have that inkling, that idea, and you just have to find your niche within it. It gives me joy to talk about my business and it always re-focuses me, even having this conversation.” (I agree, talking with other entrepreneurs about your own business, or about their business even, does the exact same for me!)
“Tourism is starting to boom again and people are staying closer to home. You don’t have to go thousands of miles away to enjoy and see things.”
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I don’t know about you, but I am excited that places are back open- and growing- and will be looking into all the new wineries opening in Ohio! Mike’s wine and brewery excursion services sound like the perfect way to explore all things wine and beer in Ohio! I’m even thinking about booking a trip with him myself!
Find Cork and Tap Excursions on:
Instagram:@corkandtapohio
Facebook: Cork and Tap Excursions
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