In this episode Jennifer and Phil sit down with Kirk Coco who discusses the triumphs, hardships, and lessons learned being an entrepreneur. How to Make It Count through the successes and failures of a business.
A little more about Kirk. Kirk Coco is a native of New Orleans, who spent 11 years in the United States Navy serving as a Surface Warfare Officer. During his commission he served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer of the USS CHOSIN, Chief Engineer of the USS PELICAN, Operations Officer of the USS CAMDEN and served onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN as Tactical Action Officer/Readiness Officer for Destroyer Squadron Seven. Kirk chose to leave the Navy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to return to New Orleans and help in the rebuilding and renewal of the city.
After a short career with Capital One Bank, Kirk began his initial dream of bringing production and manufacturing back to New Orleans, founding NOLA Brewing Company in 2008. Since Dixie's departure from the city in 2005, NOLA Brewing was the first operating production brewery to open in Orleans Parish. In May 2015 Kirk began work on NOLA Distilling Company, a craft distillery located just 8 blocks from NOLA.
After selling his distillery and a controlling interest of the brewery’s equity, Kirk served as Director of Operations for Bellwether Technology, the largest Managed Service IT Provider in the Greater New Orleans area, and also served as Director of Operations for NORF Companies, A Louisiana based Opportunity Zone Equity Investment Fund. He currently is the Director of Support for Susco, LLC, a custom software specializing in the Insurance Services industry.
Kirk was a founding member and President of the LA Brewer’s Guild, an organization of brewers in Louisiana lobbying for a strong commitment from government for the burgeoning craft beer movement. He also served as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for Economic Development for the Mayor of New Orleans and as an Advisory Board member for the YAYA Arts Council. He serves as Vice-Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Orleans and was a voting Delegate for their 2016 and 2020 National Conventions. Kirk served as a Member of the Board of Directors for The Roots of Music, a non-profit organization committed to maintain the city’s homegrown musical heritage by putting instruments into the hands of New Orleans youths and educating them on their use.
Kirk is a graduate of Louisiana State University where he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and his Juris Doctorate. He also earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans in 2003.
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