From Venezuela to Miami: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Daniel Chocron
When Daniel Chocron graduated from the MBA program at Atlantis University, he had a clear vision: to turn his passion for craft beer into a successful brewery business plan. Little did he know that his journey would take him from his home country of Venezuela to the vibrant city of Miami, where he would co-found Tripping Animals Brewery, a creative beer factory that has become a beloved destination for beer enthusiasts and the local community alike.
In this in-depth blog post, we’ll explore how Daniel’s time at Atlantis University equipped him with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex world of entrepreneurship, making him an ideal asset as a successful entrepreneur. We’ll also look at how he and his team have built Tripping Animals Brewery into a thriving, innovative, and community-driven enterprise.
Leveraging the Atlantis University Advantage
For Daniel, the decision to attend Atlantis University was a strategic one. As he explains, the university’s focus on practical, hands-on learning was a key factor in his choice:
“The biggest thing and the way I always see it, even this happened in my university in Venezuela, is that when you’re not working and you go straight to university, it just feels like passing a class. You go there, take the test, and pass it. But when you start working and you have your own project and you’re studying at the same time, it’s a completely different experience.”
This synergistic approach to learning allowed Daniel to immediately apply the concepts he was studying in his classes to the real-world challenges he was facing in building his business. Whether it was exploring supply chain problems, distribution strategies, or marketing tactics, Daniel could take what he was learning in the classroom and immediately put it into practice at Tripping Animals Brewery.
Additionally, the networking opportunities and collaborative projects at Atlantis University proved invaluable. As Daniel explains:
“Any project that we needed to do, like a business plan or a marketing plan, I would say, ‘Let’s do it about Tripping Animals.’ Then I would get ideas from all the students I was studying with, and I also had the professors reviewing the ideas and helping to make them better. There was a lot of that kind of thing that really helped.”
This ability to leverage the expertise and fresh perspectives of his classmates and professors allowed Daniel to refine his business strategies and identify new opportunities for growth. It’s a testament to the power of the Atlantis University experience in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Building a Culture of Consistency and Passion
At the heart of Tripping Animals Brewery’s success is the team that Daniel and his co-founders have assembled. As he explains, finding the right people with the right mindset has been crucial to the company’s growth and consistency:
“Finding the right people is hard, but we’ve been very lucky to find really good people along the way that have helped and supported the Tripping Animals journey. We have four big departments – production, marketing, sales, and the back-office functions like accounting and legal. It’s important to have people in each of those areas that you can trust and who share your passion for the business.”
This focus on building a team that is not only skilled but also deeply invested in the company’s mission has been a key driver to transforme Tripping Animals Brewery in one of the best breweries in miami. As Daniel notes, it’s not just about finding people with the right qualifications, but also those who share the company’s values and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure the highest quality and consistency in everything they do.
This commitment to quality and consistency is evident in every aspect of the Tripping Animals Brewery experience, from the beer itself to the taproom environment and the company’s interactions with its customers and partners. As Daniel explains:
“We value consistency, but we also want people who have a lot of passion. The product we create has been something we’ve put a lot of love and passion into from day one, and we want that to be reflected in everything we do – from the service in the taproom to our marketing and branding to our production processes.”
This attention to detail and dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. Tripping Animals Brewery has built a loyal following among craft beer enthusiasts, who appreciate the care and craftsmanship that goes into every batch of beer. It’s a testament to the power of passion and consistency in building a successful and sustainable business.
Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship
Of course, the journey of entrepreneurship is not without its challenges, and Tripping Animals Brewery has faced its fair share. As Daniel explains, the transition from Venezuela to the United States presented a steep learning curve when it came to navigating the complex regulatory and operational landscape of running a business in a new country:
“The biggest challenge we had was moving from a different country to do a business that we didn’t have too much experience in, and then finding all these regulations, permits, taxes, accounting, and the whole new world of the USA as an infrastructure for you to succeed as a business. Learning all of that was a huge challenge.”
From securing the necessary permits and licenses to managing the logistics of production and distribution, Daniel and his team had to quickly adapt to a new set of rules and requirements. But they approached these challenges with the same tenacity and problem-solving skills that had served them well in their home country.
And when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, aspect that was not part of the initial brewery business plan, Tripping Animals Brewery faced yet another major obstacle. As Daniel recounts, the initial shutdown of bars and restaurants threatened to cripple their business, which had been heavily reliant on taproom sales. But the team quickly pivoted, leveraging their existing relationships and resources to find new ways to get their beer into the hands of customers:
“We had to close the taproom, and we were like, ‘Okay, what are we going to do?’ We had a canning line at another brewery, so we started canning all of our beers and doing deliveries. Our community really stepped up and supported us, and we were able to start selling in new markets like California, Boston, and New York.”
This ability to adapt and seize new opportunities in the face of adversity is a hallmark of successful entrepreneurs. And for Daniel and his team, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination that have been the driving forces behind Tripping Animals Brewery’s growth and success.
The Power of Community and Collaboration
One of the most striking aspects of the Tripping Animals Brewery story is the way the company has woven itself into the fabric of the local community. From hosting events and collaborating with other businesses to fostering a welcoming and inclusive taproom experience, Tripping Animals has become a hub of activity and connection in the Miami area.
As Daniel explains, this community-driven approach has been a key part of the company’s success:
“We couldn’t be nothing without our community. Since we started saying ‘to-go,’ people started showing up at the door in huge lines just to be able to get our beer. We start doing deliveries, and anything we could do to increase our sales and get our product to the hands of people in a safe manner. Our community has been so supportive, and that’s been crucial to our growth.”
But it’s not just about selling beer – Tripping Animals Brewery has also made a concerted effort to collaborate with other local businesses and organizations. Whether it’s hosting events like the “Irie Jungle” festival, which brings together dozens of breweries from across the country, or working with partners like the Space Club to create unique, limited-edition beers, the company has embraced the power of collaboration to drive innovation and strengthen its ties to the community.
This commitment to community and collaboration is a reflection of the values that have guided Tripping Animals Brewery from the beginning. As Daniel puts it, “We try to create an environment that is happy for everyone, and that way, I think, is how we have been able to build a healthy company that hopefully will last many years.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those aspiring to follow in Daniel’s footsteps and start their own businesses, he has some valuable advice to share:
- Consistency and Passion: “Consistency and passion are one of the biggest values for entrepreneurship. If you have consistency and you think you’re going to succeed one day to the other, that’s not the common thing. If you want to build something that you want to give to your kids, your grandkids, it takes time.”
- Take Risks: “You have to take risks. When we started this project, we took all of our families’ money together and told them we’re going to do this. We took a huge risk, but if you don’t take that risk and you stay in your comfortable zone, you don’t grow.”
- Enjoy the Ride: “Go for it, take the risk, but enjoy the ride. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And it’s never too late to do it.”
Daniel’s journey with Tripping Animals Brewery is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, a willingness to take calculated risks, and a well-crafted brewery business plan. By leveraging the knowledge and skills he gained at Atlantis University, he and his team have built a thriving, innovative, and community-driven business that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the craft beer industry and positions them as one of the best breweries in Miami.
For those looking to follow in Daniel’s footsteps, the message is clear: embrace the challenges, surround yourself with a talented and dedicated team, and never lose sight of the passion that drives you. With these ingredients, the path to entrepreneurial success is within reach.
