Craig and Kath Rathburn incorporated their business in 2019, opening Ingersoll Rails House of Brews in 2024. After investigating other financial options that were either unobtainable or too expensive, and not wanting to alter their vison to meet private investor influence, Craig and Kath contacted Community Futures Oxford.
Obtaining a loan to purchase equipment, acquiring working capital and consolidating their finances through CF Oxford, helped them launch! “It allowed us to reach the finish line and get our doors open and save thousands on interest over the long term,” Craig said.
Craig said working in his father’s business for over 20 years made owning his own business a natural fit. Ingersoll Rails House of Brews is a small-scale brewery serving Ingersoll, Oxford County while participating with as many other small businesses as possible to help us all succeed together,” he said.
One of the challenges he’s faced is the intense bureaucracy related to the tight regulations applied to manufacturing alcohol. When he encounters a roadblock, he is comfortable seeking advice. “No one is an island. My parents have been there with advice to keep moving forward,” he said. “Also, the brewing community is a pretty tight-knit group and they are always there to help each other navigate through it all.”
Craig says creating beer that people love, and interacting with fantastic customers is rewarding. Reflecting on the journey, Craig says he wishes he’d known the amount of time and money it was going to require that doesn’t actually go into business assets.
Craig said he’d like Oxford County to know, “we are a small family business focused on the best product we can produce and always willing to partner with collaborations.”