Arkansas Business

Amber Hatchett Brewer

For a creative type, Amber Hatchett Brewer has a remarkably straightforward and succinct philosophy: “Work hard and be nice to people.”

It’s stood her in good stead. “I think there are a lot of philosophies that are super practical or beautiful or inspiring, but none of them really works unless you do,” she said. As for the being nice part: “Just being nice and welcoming and just listening to people, you can learn so much.”

Brewer, born and raised in Alabama, graduated from the Savannah College of Art & Design, coming to Arkansas after getting a job with CJRW in 2004. She moved on to Arkansas Business Publishing Group in 2008, working as art director, before landing at Yellow Rocket Concepts.

At Yellow Rocket, Brewer is largely responsible for the distinctive looks and atmospheres of the Little Rock restaurant group’s popular — and growing — restaurants Big Orange, Local Lime, Zaza and Heights Taco & Tamale and the brewery/restaurant Lost Forty Brewing.

She appreciates the opportunities she’s found in Arkansas. “When people ask me what my favorite thing is about Arkansas, I always talk about the people,” she said. “The community in Arkansas — they want you to succeed.”

As for community work, Brewer has just joined the board of the Arkansas Cinema Society, an effort led by Jeff Nichols and Kathryn Tucker to develop the Arkansas film community.