Like so many brewers, Chris Harris got his start in the garage, trialing new recipes to share with friends. Chris launched Black Frog Brewery soon after, inspired by his roots and his hometown of Toledo, Ohio (lovingly dubbed Frog Town). The beer took off, and his homebrewing hobby soon gained local notoriety.

What started as gallons has turned into tanks; Chris opened his taproom in 2016 as the first Black-owned brewery in Northwest Ohio. Black Frog has become a community cornerstone in Holland, Ohio, where residents gather over “great beer with great people.”

JumpStart helped Chris take the leap from passion to profession. He participated in the Northwest Ohio Small Business Impact Program and gained a better understanding of his business operations. Although entrepreneurship can be lonely, Chris leaned on JumpStart for one-on-one business advising and critical resource connections.

The program helped him fine-tune his financial projections and advance his operations with an infusion of grant capital.

Once a reluctant entrepreneur with big dreams, Chris has come to appreciate the benefits of business ownership and is broadening his vision for the future of Black Frog. With plans to expand, Chris is on his way from a local spot to wide-scale circulation.

Learn more about Chris and his story in the video below.