It's never too late
Stew and Nola!
I wrote this story before the virus hit the US. I hope it inspires you to think about what's possible. Now, more than ever, is a time to refocus, reset, and get clear on what you want. May this story tug at your heart and nudge you to think about the things you’ve always wanted to do—and then go do them!
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I was talking with a new friend recently, and he happened to mention that his parents (who are in their 70s) had just opened a brewery. The more he told me about their story, I told him I had to interview them for my blog. So, he introduced us, and let me tell you: Stew and Nola are the most delightful couple ever, and their story will prove to you that it’s never, ever too late to reinvent yourself or try something new.
Here’s the background: Stew worked in the oil and gas industry for many years and also taught golf (he still does). Nola worked in HR. They retired and found themselves asking, “What’s next?” They didn’t want retirement to mean sitting around and doing nothing, so they worked on various projects to keep them busy. But they knew in their hearts that there had to be more.
And then one day, five years ago, they were sitting in the living room at Thanksgiving, enjoying libations with their son, and they decided they wanted to try brewing their own beer. They did a little research and found it wasn’t too hard to do, so they began brewing beer in their barn. Stew and Nola lived in the UK for a period of time, so some of their brews were inspired by the beers they loved in English pubs. They began giving beers to their friends—for free—and their friends loved them. Their friends suggested selling the beers, and that’s when Stew and Nola decided to go from homebrewing to a real business.
Their pub, which is located in a small city just outside Calgary, is called Balzac Craft Brewing Company. Balzac is a rural town they lived in for 30 some years, and it’s where they first started brewing beer in their barn. Their tagline on their merchandise, which they shared with me while giggling, is “Grab life by the Balzac.” (Their son, who does all of their social media, came up with it.) It’s been going strong since 2017.
But this isn’t your average bar. First of all, there aren’t any TVs.
Let me say that again: THERE AREN’T ANY TVS!!
Stew and Nola have become a staple in the neighborhood by encouraging guests to get back to the basics. People can eat and drink while they play board games, dominos, and darts. Children and dogs are welcome. Stew and Nola keep you guessing about the music that will play through the speakers, and while you’re listening, you can connect and have a real conversation without being distracted by a television. They say it’s the best place ever to have a first date.
Stew and Nola are very much involved in the biz. One of them is always there working, but usually, it’s both of them. Stew is behind the bar, and Nola leads the rest. They hired a 23-year-old brewmaster who really knows her stuff, and their kids help too. Even their granddaughter is involved: She makes dog biscuits and sells them to the pet owners who come in with their pups.
Here’s my favorite part: I asked Stew and Nola, “Why? Why this pub? Why in your 70s?” Know what they said? Because they want purpose. Because they want a reason to be excited to get out of bed in the morning. Stew said that when his grandfather retired, he remembers he told him how bored he was. Stew was young, but he vowed that he would never get to that place. When Stew and Nola retired, they realized they didn’t want a life of vacation and cruise after cruise. They wanted to reinvent themselves and pursue new passions and dreams.
Stew and Nola want you to know that it’s never too late. It’s never too late to take a risk, to reinvent yourself, to go after something you’re excited about. In the words of Stew and Nola: Get out there and grab life by the Balzac!
Hope this one inspired you as much as it inspired me.
Big hugs,
