Ep 8 - Paul Parks talks Beach Beer Bondi, drop-shipping sex toys and pursuing his passion

This week I chatted to one of my neighbours. It just so happens that he’s the man behind Bondi Beach Beer - brewer Paul Parks. 

After spying a home brew kit in a shop window one day, Paul challenged his mates to a home brew competition. Despite not winning this amateur bout, the fire was lit and Paul sold his wife’s car in pursuit of the perfect brew (a decision that’s still a little sore for her). ‘YouTubing the shit out of it’, he quickly refined his craft beer to a quality worthy of being crowned #31 in the 2018 GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll. Now having recently added a lager ‘Bondi Draught’ to the family, Paul has product on the shelves of nearly every establishment in Bondi.   

In our chat, the former hospitality veteran and serial entrepreneur takes me through the impressively long list of business ventures that he’s started over the years- including stand-up paddle boards, importing eyelash extensions and yes you guessed it, a drop-shipping a sex toy shop. I hear what Sydney’s Kings Cross was like ‘back in the day’ and what working in DCM, Sydney’s answer to Studio 54 was like too. Paul also walks me through the brewing process itself; how to discover, develop and refine a cracking beer, and what it takes to keep the quality consistent when the business scales to quench more thirsty customers. 

We also talk about all the other aspects of running a successful business; From mastering instagram marketing, to creating a culture around something you’re truly passionate about. His future plans for the beer are exciting too...

Keep up with the hoppy madness at Paul’s instagram @beachbeerbondi

This podcast got you thirsty? Make sure you check out the Bondi Beach Beer website to find out where you can get their brews (spoiler alert - pretty much all of Bondi!)

Thanks for listening