Buying Local Podcast · Episode 38 · August 13, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Buying Local S3E38: The Power of Belief in Business with Tim Suprise
In this episode of the Buying Local Podcast, host Mike Nelson talks with Tim Suprise, longtime entrepreneur, brewery founder, and employer engagement leader at SUNY Adirondack. Tune in as they discuss his journey from Army ROTC and law enforcement to launching Arcadia Brewing Company, creative ways to raise capital, the importance of trades education, and how pig roasts and British ales built lasting community connections. Find the Buying Local Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Rumble. Connect with Tim on LinkedIn or send him an email today at [email protected] . 00:00 Intro and mission behind the Buying Local Podcast 01:07 Tim’s take on offering an alternative to mindless scrolling 02:12 Why small business is the purest path to freedom 03:40 How job security has changed over generations 05:11 The moral imperative of acquiring new skills 06:38 Tim’s return to college at age 65 08:52 AI’s impact on jobs and opportunity in the trades 09:20 The trades shortage and SUNY Adirondack’s role 12:25 SUNY Adirondack’s agricultural program and opportunities 13:56 Regulatory barriers for small farms and producers 17:13 Positive legislative changes for brewers in New York 18:32 Tim’s Army ROTC and Ranger School experience 23:40 Lessons from military training and teamwork 24:47 Tim’s career in law enforcement and politics in hiring 25:50 Transition from policing to professional football and corporate work 31:11 Entering the craft beer business in the mid-1990s 33:12 Raising capital through a Michigan-only stock offering 38:52 Plan B: securing loans and winning investor support 43:08 The power of belief and selling an idea before it exists 46:44 The hidden challenges of entrepreneurship 48:18 How industry changes and staffing shortages impact small business 49:17 Returning to New York to care for family 52:27 Joining SUNY Adirondack and reflecting on its community role 54:33 Looking ahead to the next chapter 56:21 Brewers grain, pigs, and creating a legendary BBQ event