Bière de Mac opened in 2017 and experienced three years of booming business and consistent growth until the pandemic forced them to close, resulting in a significant financial setback. With the help of Team Financial, George and Danny Ranville made crucial improvements to their brewing business to move from closure to thriving and are better prepared for unexpected challenges.
In 2008, Danny Ranville graduated from Northwood University with a business degree. Despite his qualifications, Danny struggled to find a suitable job. He moved from place to place in search of opportunities. When Danny found himself in Colorado, he discovered a love for brewing. Immersing himself in the craft beer scene, Danny recognized the untapped potential.
Fueled by passion and a desire to bring something special to his hometown, he returned to Mackinac Island and shared his vision with his father, George Ranville. Using his business insights and passion for brewing, Danny and George embarked on a bold endeavor: establish a brewery in nearby Mackinaw City.
They mastered their craft, learning the ins and outs of creating a successful brewery. As Bière de Mac grew, Danny and George realized their tanks couldn’t hold the amount of beer they needed to produce to keep up with demand. That’s where Team Financial Group came in and helped Danny and George find a financing solution that fits their unique needs to purchase newer and bigger tanks.
Bière de Mac continued to expand their business and gain new customers. They won multiple awards for their beer, including MLive’s Beer of the Year award, “Best Brewery” in the My North Magazine, and the best title of “Best Beer in the Straits.” As their award count grew, so did their customer base. George and Danny approached Team Financial Group; they understood the importance of expanding their capacity to serve their customers better.
After years of success, though, the pandemic forced Bière de Mac to temporarily close, and they suffered a significant financial setback.
“The pandemic changed everything,” said George Ranville. “We went from a successful business to being completely shut down. It was hard.”
But, with the assistance of Team Financial, they not only recovered, but their success surpassed pre-shutdown. George and Danny made tough decisions regarding their capital reserves, realizing that maintaining the business during a pandemic was not part of their original five-year plan. A game-changing decision allocated their resources toward creating an outdoor space.
“If this were to happen again, we still want to be able to be there for our customers,” George said.
When asked why George Ranville chose to work with Team Financial, he emphasized the advantages of working with a private lender.
“We like working with Team Financial Group because you aren’t a bank. With so many regulations, it was hard to work with them,” he said. “Especially since banks move around so much and smaller banks are being bought. With Team Financial Group, you guys stay put. I can always trust you’re going to be there. This allows me to make and maintain a stable relationship for lending purposes.”
Team Financial prides itself on being able to connect with our clients and vendors to ensure they have a trusted partner in their business’s financial needs. We have your back and want to see you succeed.
Like Team Financial Group, George Ranville prioritizes customer service in his business. He actively engages with customers in the kitchen, on the floor, or through conversations to ensure their satisfaction. Team Financial Group shares this commitment and believes that financing should be a smooth and easy process with client satisfaction as the top priority.
Today, Bière de Mac is thriving and recognized for its delicious food and even better beer!
“If you’re ever in the area, you have to try out our wood-smoked brisket sandwich,” George said. “It’s famous and definitely worth a try. Our food is amazing!”
It’s no secret that Bière de Mac is a growing brewery, and distribution significantly contributed to their growth. George explained that he wants people to be able to find their beer anywhere, and with the help of Team Financial, they can focus on distribution and marketing.
They are a sought-after destination and award-winning brewery, and their products are now available in locations such as Sault Ste. Marie, Petosky, and the Tri-Cities region surrounding Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland. Thanks to the support from Team Financial, they survived the pandemic and are thriving today.
To learn more about Bière de Mac, check out their website and if you find yourself in Mackinac City, taste for yourself!
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