Fellow Entrepneurs, My name is Nikolai and I am the Tasting Room Manager for Hush and Whisper Distilling Co. as well as the Founder of The Order of Olives, a non-profit Professional Bar Guild that serves the Brazos Valley. My passion is beverages; whether its spirits, wine, beer, mead, craft or batch. I enjoy inventing cocktails and creative beverage solutions, but even more than that I enjoy passing on my knowledge and passion to others. I have trained and worked with dozens of talented bartenders over the years, and seeing them take on their own personalities within the bar and expressing themselves though their creations give me immense joy. At the moment we are making waves as a Distillery- winning national accolades with our Gin and Vodka, as well as local accolades for our venue which is staffed with highly motivated and personable staff from bartenders to mixologists to certified bourbon professionals. The Guild hosts a bi-weekly educational seminars and currently serves 150 bar professionals in our fast-growing city. Sam, our host, has been my mentor and voice of sanity for the better part of a year, and I attribute many of my recent successes (including the creation of the Guild) to his support and guidance. His program works wonders for entrepneurs and businesses alike, addressing key areas that many programs overlook, ignore, or shy away from. These days I wake up early, get in a good workout, read/learn, slay all day, and still have time to enjoy the miniature farm my fiance keeps in our backyard and Lord of the Rings playing on repeat. We grow corn, chickens, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, cats, pepper and basil: everything we need to keep a Hobbit like me happy. I have big plans to continue securing my spot in the local bar industry: from developing a comprehensive online bar academy that imparts the bartending spirit to budding bartenders, to securing a brick and mortar location and creating the first cafe/bar representing my own unique brand: The Apothecarist. I have no doubt that this group will be instrumental in all of my endevours. After all our network is our net worth. I'm looking forward to meeting each of you, learning what I can, helping where I can, and at the end of the day making the world a better place one drink at a time.

Welcome to BCS Business Owners and Entrepreneurs on Skool! Hey Guys! Welcome to our new home on Skool. I am thrilled to have our Bryan and College Station business network, with over 3,400 members, here on this new platform. The facebook group isn't going away, the Skool group is where I'll be providing education and training for those of you who are a little more serious about moving the needle in your business. Why We’re Here: Our goal is to provide a space where local business owners and entrepreneurs can connect, share insights, and grow together. This community is all about supporting each other, learning from shared experiences, and celebrating our successes. What to Expect: - Weekly Meetups: Don't forget, we host our weekly happy hour networking events every Thursday from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Hush and Whisper Distillery in downtown Bryan. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs face-to-face, exchange ideas, and build valuable connections. This is the place to grow your network and meet up with other local business owners. - Engaging Discussions: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your knowledge in our various forums. Whether it's about business strategy, marketing tips, or local events, your contributions help make our community stronger. - Resource Sharing: Find and share valuable resources, tools, and tips that can help your business thrive. Our local community is rich with experience and expertise, so don’t hesitate to tap into it. Get Started: 1. Introduce Yourself: Start by posting a brief introduction about yourself and your business. Let us know what you do, what you’re passionate about, and how we can support you. 2. Engage: Comment on posts, answer questions, and join the conversations. The more you engage, the more you’ll get out of this community. 3. Share Your Wins: Celebrating your successes, no matter how big or small, can inspire and motivate others. Let’s lift each other up and keep the positive energy flowing.