Founder of Core Brewing & Distilling Co. in Springdale
Jesse Core, a seventh-generation Arkansan, grew up on Fort Smith’s northside as the youngest of three sons of a single mother. Core, 45, played baseball at what is now known as the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and worked in software development for several companies, including Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale.
He served four years on the Springdale City Council and earned an MBA from Harding University. Core founded Core Brewing & Distilling Co. in Springdale in 2010 on a shoestring budget while working at Tyson. Core Brewing has grown to 60 beers and nine pubs.
You grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in Fort Smith. How did that shape your motivation and work ethic?
I am very proud of where I grew up. I attribute my grit to my childhood. My work ethic came from my mom. I remember my mom working double shifts in ICU just so we can make ends meet. Sometimes I get a hard time for being uber-optimistic even when times are challenging. I feel this is a strength I learned from my mom.
The motivation to be successful is simple. One, being poor sucks. Secondly, I want to contribute in a big way to the state that I love. Last but not least, I am highly motivated to generate a healthy return for my investors who believed in me.
You were at the forefront of the craft beer movement in Arkansas. What made you think you could make craft beer work in Arkansas?
Arkansans love beer and are very supportive of local businesses. After saying that, I did not know for certain. How could I? We started this business in the middle of the Great Recession. Banks wouldn’t give us a look. Potential investors were stuffing their money in their mattresses. The boot-strapping forced me to be creative to get things done. I believe it is moments like those that separate the pros from the wannabes. I quit my job and cannonballed into the deep end. My amazing wife became a stay-at-home mom so we could pursue this dream.
In my opinion, if you want to start a business, you need to be 100 percent committed. If you have an escape pod when things get hard, you will probably quit too soon and miss the big win. One thing is for certain, we have been very resilient.
Are you worried the craft beer market is too crowded?
I am a data guy and the data says the market is becoming too crowded. However, there is always room for exceptional products. Before, the consumer did not have a lot of options. Now, there are thousands of breweries forcing us to up our game.
If you are not producing innovative products at a competitive price, you have trouble. At Core, we have shown that we welcome the challenge by regularly creating fun and unique beers that are gaining traction in the marketplace.
You originally were a software developer and worked for several companies across the country. How have those experiences helped you as a business owner and boss now?
Writing software was a great experience. I had the opportunity to learn about managing complex systems, production planning, supply chain and so much more. In brewing, there are so many variables that impact the final product. From this experience, I feel comfortable in environments with many moving parts.
How would you describe your leadership style?
When I worked at Tyson, Donnie Smith was the CEO. His message of leading from the middle of the pack resonated with me. I saw a notable difference in the morale and productivity of the employees. I am trying my best to emulate that style. Autocratic leadership never motivated me, so why would it work with my employees?
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