Doug Constantiner is the CEO and founder at Societe Brewing Company, a San Diego brewery founded on the idea that “beer is the world’s greatest social uniter.” Societe–which has a reputation as being the brewer’s beer–celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. Learn about Doug Constantiner…
Hometown: Houston, TX
First job: Working in my mom’s warehouse packing boxes of pens and other promotional products for her store.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: Anything and everything I can do with my wife and two daughters. Going to the beach, San Diego Zoo, etc. We also love trying out new restaurants.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Personally, having a family. They mean the world to me. Professionally, starting a brewery and building a team that continues to seamlessly scale it beyond my imagination.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: COVID-19. We lost over 90 percent of our revenue overnight — literally — with the first shutdown and had to pivot quickly. We’re now five times bigger than we were going into the pandemic, and it’s because of the hard work, dedication and the agility of everyone here to adapt to a “new normal.”
Someone who inspires you and why: Herb Kelleher (co-founder and CEO) of Southwest Airlines. He is an inspiration to me to think outside of the box, not with new “products” but rather with culture and succeeding in your own industry with the tools you are given.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Go work at a brewery first. Get your hands dirty, ask questions and make sure there is nothing else in the world you would rather do than this!
Favorite quote: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” –F.D.R.
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I almost exclusively listen to death metal. Like real, old school, death metal.
What makes someone fabulous: Putting other’s needs above their own.