We’re looking forward to introducing you to Todd Space. Check out our conversation below.
Todd, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
For some random reason, a flurry of alumni has crossed my path in just the last 2 months – running into Andrea, class of 2017, at an InterMiami game; being visited by 2 different students, Luis and RJ from a 2-week intensive we ran in 2019; receiving messages from a Nicholas in Chile who just won a ton of medals, including “Best Brewery of the competition”, from Diego who won for an IPA and Guillermo, for a Brett beer!! It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day of running MBA, yet when these chance encounters enter my schedule, it’s a great reminder of the lasting impact the MBA programs have on people from all over the US, Central and South America (mostly).
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello Voyage Tampa – I’m Todd Space, the founder and Director of Education for Master Brewer Academy (MBA) in Miami. MBA is multifaceted organization that runs programs teaching brewing science at the craft level, business of brewing, Quality Assurance, and we also consult brewery buildouts, and “gypsy brew” around South Florida. We are small, independent and craft-centric, focusing on supporting local brewing scenes and those working in areas where finding education may be tough or budgets are strapped. We’ve evolved from offering 11 month programs, to shorter intensives, weekend workshops – but now mainly offer a 12-week online / 4 day in-person program called the “Optimized Brewer”, and consult one-on-one with breweries offering them a-la cart support.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Before getting into brewing science professionally, I was a biologist and educator. While at Florida State getting these paired degrees (and homebrewing on the side!), I worked as an Environmental Biologist for a small firm in Tallahassee called Enviro Planning & Analysis. The lead field scientist – Bob Howell – was integral in shaping my integrity around work and understanding that “if you’re going to do something, do it right”. We spent years together working our tails off in bad weather on a tiny boat, pulling samples every 2-3 hours for a 2–3 day period sometimes, getting struck by lightning (for real!), but we always managed to get our data, and have confidence in its validity. I carry this with me today – 30 years later! – in most everything I do: when training students, making sure they get what they need from MBA; in brewing, always saving the liquid even when the technology lets you down, and at home, when my kid needs help with math homework or a science project. Thanks Bob-O!!
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
A few years ago, an amazing opportunity fell into my lap, and I decided to go all-in to make it happen. My wife bought a building in our neighborhood, and I decided to open a local pub / dive bar / brewery at the location. I had enough money to make it happen, my landlord was the best, I had supported around 4 other breweries in getting open (so understood the struggle!!), and received a CRA grant to help financially. Needless to say, even with all the cards in my favor, the project did not succeed. While easy to blame the county and the city and my architect (I still put him at the top of the list for the reason for the failure!), I instead took another route and realized how much more time I’ll have with my family – that’s the premise of every “daddy-issues” movie, right? – the Dad over worked and neglecting his fatherly duties, haha!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I’m not really sure if this is a cultural value, and I’m uncertain if I will “protect it at all costs”, but I try my best to live within the community, supporting small independent business, local music, etc. While I don’t “boycott” the Walmarts or call breweries that sell out “sell-outs”, I generally put my money where my mouth is and support local and live without things that I don’t necessarily need.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
The most important thing I am doing today is raising my daughter! It’s mostly fun, yet there are frustrations and tears and it’s hard to keep at it (one day off, and she’s hooked on that effing tablet!); but watching her develop emotionally and intellectually is so amazing, and I feel that when she’s ready to leave “the nest” in 7 years, she’ll be ready for this rapidly changing world!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://masterbreweracademy.com
- Instagram: @masterbreweracademy
- Facebook: @masterbreweracademy
Image Credits
All photos credited to MBA
