Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Khoo.
Hi Steven, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got my start brewing in 1998 in a small apartment in Atlanta with a simple homebrew kit. As most folks will tell you, the first batches were hit-and-miss and relatively uninspiring to drink. But that simply motivated me to try to hone the craft. Over the ensuing years, a lot of research and trial-and-error accompanied an ever expanding collection of brewing equipment. At times, life would take priority, but brewing was always a great escape from the demands of medical school and residency. During this time, friends and family would provide encouraging reviews, but it was the unsolicited compliments from relative strangers that really got me thinking that maybe I was on to something. After a 24-year career in the Army, I was looking forward to retirement and wanted to shift gears. The idea of opening a brewery and bringing something unique to our community seemed to fit this bill. Our goal was to create a space that was inviting and inclusive so our local community had a place to gather and an idea to embrace.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Neither Michelle nor I have any background in business, so I wouldn’t describe the road as smooth. It seemed that there was something unexpected around every turn, but we navigated these obstacles with the aid of some helpful professionals. Even though I’d been brewing for more than 20 years at that point, there was still a lot to learn when transitioning to a full-scale commercial system. There have also been a lot of lessons learned about the ins and outs of running a business. But, overall, I’d say the transition has not been overwhelming. Nevertheless, I feel like we learn something new almost every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a small, veteran-owned brewery located in Harnett County. We opened our doors to the public in November of 2023. There is a strong military presence in the community, and our name and “vibe” certainly honor that, but I would not necessarily call that our “theme.” Honestly, the strongest part of our business is our community. I often get asked about our focus or our specialty as it relates to the product. But, quite frankly, my goal has always been to provide variety of options so that just about anyone could find something appealing on our menu. I didn’t want to paint us into a corner by specializing in any particular style, so I went the other direction in an effort to suit a wider range of palates. We provide a family-friendly (including four-legged family members) and relaxed atmosphere where the community can gather. There are definitely a lot of shared experiences among our patrons, and watching our customers come together and bond over these experiences has been very rewarding. While we are community-centered, it is certainly not to the point of exclusion. Visitors from everywhere feel welcome coming through our doors.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Business is unpredictable. Customer preferences and patterns are not always (never?) what you think they would be. It has been a challenge to come up with ideas, events, and activities to keep the experience fresh and appealing. It turns out that opening a brewery is not just about the beer. While having a great product is important, it’s everything else that creates the atmosphere that keeps people coming through the door.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: staticlinebrewingco
- Facebook: Static Line Brewing Company
