TAMPA — From bold risks to building a multimillion-dollar business, a brewery founder shared candid lessons on entrepreneurship with University of South Florida students this week.
Mike Harting, founder of 3 Daughters Brewing, spoke at USF St. Petersburg’s Lynn Pippenger Hall as part of the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship’s “Conversation with a Founder” speaker series, which brings experienced entrepreneurs to share advice and real-world experiences.
The biggest takeaway from his fireside chat was to try regardless of fear. “Failure is awesome, and it needs to be embraced,” Harting said. “I will tell you, though, that the single hardest thing you will ever do is try to get a team to embrace failure.”
The event drew a strong turnout of students and community members, with Nault Center Executive Director Allen Clary guiding a discussion that encouraged audience participation through questions.
Attendees connected beyond the conversation through a reception held before the talk and a networking event at 3 Daughters Brewing afterward, featuring games, food and additional opportunities to engage.
Harting also reflected on his unconventional path, transitioning from the restaurant industry into brewing. Instead of starting small, he invested in a $685,000 brewing system and went more than a year without a salary while building the business.
Jordan Quinlivan (center).
That risk ultimately paid off. Today, 3 Daughters Brewing has grown to three locations, employs more than 75 people and generates nearly $14 million in annual revenue.
For students, the experience offered both practical insight and inspiration.
“Hearing Mike’s story as an entrepreneur was interesting and inspiring,” said Jordan Quinlivan, a USF sophomore.
The speaker series continues to connect students with entrepreneurs, highlighting growth, resilience and the realities of building a business.