Manjit Minhas facts for kids
Manjit Minhas is a Canadian entrepreneur, a person who starts and runs businesses. She is also a television personality and an angel investor, which means she helps new businesses by investing money in them. Manjit is the co-owner of Minhas Breweries & Distillery. This company makes popular beer brands like Mountain Crest Classic Lager and Boxer Lager. She is very good at marketing, which involves promoting products and selling them.
In 2015, Manjit Minhas became one of the new "dragons" on the Canadian TV show Dragons' Den. On this show, entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to wealthy investors (the "dragons") who might invest their own money.
Manjit has won many business awards. These include "Top Growth Entrepreneur" by PROFIT magazine and being named one of the "Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in Canada." She was also recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40. Manjit supports good causes, like The United Way, and helped build an engineering school for girls in India. She also serves on the boards of ATB Financial and the Calgary Airport Authority.
In 2017, Manjit received the first Alumni of Influence Award from JA Southern Alberta. She also won the 2018 Canada's 40 under 40 award.
Contents
Manjit's Journey and Family
Manjit Minhas first studied engineering at the University of Calgary and University of Regina. However, she soon realized her passion was in business. She decided to focus on creating and marketing companies instead. In the early 2000s, Manjit developed her own marketing ideas. She started creating many different types of drinks, including beers and spirits. Her marketing skills helped the Minhas Brand become well-known among people who enjoy these products.
Manjit lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, Harvey Shergill, and their two daughters. Her family follows the Sikh faith.
Building a Business Empire
Manjit and her brother, Ravinder, started their journey in the drink industry in 1999. At the time, they were both students at the University of Calgary. Their first step was importing special drinks for liquor stores owned by their parents. In 2002, they began importing beer.
Minhas Craft Brewery
In 2006, their company, Mountain Crest Brewing Company, bought the second-oldest brewery in the United States. This was the Joseph Huber Brewing Company. They also gained the rights to popular beer brands like Huber and Rhinelander. The brewery in Monroe was then renamed Minhas Craft Brewery. By 2020, Minhas Craft Brewery was one of the largest craft breweries in the United States.
Besides making their own brands like Boxer Lager and Lazy Mutt Ale, Minhas Craft Brewery also produces drinks for other companies. They create special "private label" beers and spirits for big stores like Costco, Trader Joe's, and Tesco.
Expanding the Business
A second brewery, called the Minhas Micro Brewery, opened in Calgary, Alberta, in June 2012. In Monroe, Wisconsin, where the main brewery is, you can also find the Minhas Distillery, Minhas Winery, and Minhas Kitchen.
Together, the Minhas Breweries & Distillery is a large group of companies. In 2014, they reported earning $155 million.
Manjit in the Media
Since starting her brewery, Manjit Minhas has become more famous in the media. Becoming a "dragon" on Dragons' Den made her a well-known public figure. People enjoy her honest and straightforward personality, which also shows in her business style. She often gives speeches at important events across Canada and the United States. In 2017, Manjit was a celebrity judge for the Calgary Stampede Annual Parade.
Business Challenges
In 2002, Molson Brewery had a disagreement with Mountain Crest Brewing. They felt that Minhas's main product looked too similar to Molson's Old Style Pilsner. This issue was resolved outside of court.
Manjit also faced challenges when trying to sell her company's beer in Ontario in 2005. She believes competitors were involved in an investigation that made it harder for her company to enter that market. The investigation was eventually closed. Boxer Lager, one of her popular beers, became available in Ontario's Beer Store chain in 2009.
