Shock, disappointment, anger, defeat. Many small businesses in the USA learned last week the Small Business Administration was out of money to fund additional Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans. While a second fund (and possibly a third or more) are rumored, many craft breweries are left hanging for the second time. First, several large banks including Wells Fargo, suddenly stopped accepting applications. And now, even approved applications cannot get funded. What should you do? CAS Member Expert Steve Waters authored this blog on April 17, 2020 with some ideas and encouragement as we wait for the feds to restock the cupboards.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO MORE PINK BOOTS SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!!

One of my favorite CAS programs is our partnership with The Pink Boots Society (PBS). Started last year, we have funded several scholarships to support women in beer to advance their careers through learning, networking, and training. Once each quarter, the PBS selects recipients through a competitive application process. CAS provides each scholarship recipient with one free year of access to this community of beer business leaders. Today, I am thrilled to welcome two new winners: Andrea Sheehey (pictured at left) from Mighty Squirrel Brewing Company in Waltham, Massachusetts (USA) and Maria Vicente Viñas (pictured below) from Cerveses Lluna in Alcoy, Spain. Here's a quote from Andrea Sheehey about her journey in beer:

I am honored to receive the 2020 PBS Crafting a Strategy Scholarship. As a member, utilizing the training resources and the expertise of the individuals immersed in the community allows for my continued professional development and exciting personal growth within the culture of craft beer. I grew up in Seattle, WA, during the surge of microbreweries and brewpubs. I credit my father for nurturing what I consider an affinity for craft beer. 

My professional background includes Beer Geek at Craft Beer Cellar, where I was encouraged to advance my education and obtained my Cicerone Beer Server certification. I currently work at Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. as taproom bartender and event facilitator. My career highlights include implementing and managing the brewing of a beer to support the Ales for ALS program, which spread awareness and raised funds for research in the efforts to find a cure for ALS.

Most recently, I assisted brewing and naming our 2020 Pink Boots Society beer, "You Betcha Boots." 

~Andrea Sheehey (Photo Credit: Andrea Sheehey)

NEW MEMBERS JOIN CAS FROM SPAIN, USA, AND AUSTRALIA - WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY!!

While our community has been working together to support each other during COVID-19, we have also been growing! Just in the past couple of days, two craft breweries in Australia, a specialty beer wholesaler in Washington State (USA) and a craft brewery in Alcoy, Spain have joined our wonderful and truly global community. Pictured at right is our second member brewery in Spain and most recent Pink Boots Society Scholarship winner, Maria Vicente Viñas. Stay strong, Maria and stay strong to all our new members! (Photo credit: Maria Vicente Viñas)

NEW MEMBERS FROM THREE COUNTRIES - WELCOME!!

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