In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Tiffany Fixter, owner of Brewability, an inclusive craft brewery and pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities based in Englewood, Colorado. In 2023, Brewability was also awarded $30,000 in grant funding through the Backing Small Businesses grant program presented by American Express and Main Street America. Tiffany and her team used the grant funding to install a permanent light-up sign and purchase DineAbility boxes, which contain adaptive equipment to enable diners to eat out independently. 

The next grant cycle opens next week on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9 a.m. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change. 

As a former special education teacher, Tiffany has a heart for creating welcoming, inclusive, and fully accessible spaces for people with disabilities. Coupled with a passion for wanting to make a difference in her local community and a strong work ethic, she developed the concept for Brewability back in 2016 with the intention of providing employment opportunities and a welcoming gathering space for those with disabilities and the community as a whole. 

In their conversation, they discuss Tiffany’s path to entrepreneurship, how the Backing Small Businesses grant funding has impacted the business and community, and her advice for how all business owners can create more accessible and welcoming spaces.