What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
I’m basically the puppet master at Bold Missy Brewery in Charlotte, N.C. I run our taproom as well as do all our marketing and social media, plus any other little things that need doing. After starting my career at guest service-focused companies like Chick-Fil-A and Walt Disney World, I was brought to Charlotte by my aunt [founder Carol Waggener] when she wanted to start our brewery. She likes to refer to me as her “secret weapon millennial.”

What’s new at Bold Missy?
We just hit our two-year mark and are working on expanding our distribution and branding within our market. We ran an iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign in June to help make this happen. We also went viral last year with our Trapper Keeper glitter beer and are getting ready to release it again in August.

What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
It’s such a welcoming and fun community! As a woman in a very male-dominated industry I was very surprised at how much I (and my female-themed brewery) was welcomed with open arms by the other Charlotte breweries, and they continue to support us. While there is obviously competition in our field, I can’t think of another industry where businesses truly are rooting for each other, as being in a town with many great breweries creates opportunities for everyone.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.
Beer with whatever is in front of me, as long as I’m on my recliner.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
I have successfully memorized all the words to “Baby Got Back.”

What’s your favorite beer from another brewery?
O’Fallon Brewery’s Wheach—my first craft beer true love.

What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
I love taking little weekend trips and finding new beers to drink outside of my city.

What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
I went on a Caribbean cruise and got to stop by a small brewery in St. John on an excursion. I’d been on a ship where the most exotic option was Corona, so I was very excited to sniff out a craft beer (let alone a local one) as soon as I could!