When Kyle Stephens (BBA ’11) reflects on his path from accounting major at the Lubar College of Business to co-founding Craft Beverage Warehouse, he emphasizes two qualities: adaptability and a relentless work ethic.
“I wasn’t the most active student in extracurriculars,” Stephens admits, noting his full schedule of 18-21 credits per semester while holding down nearly full-time work. His route to accounting wasn’t linear—he began as a pre-law student before discovering a love for numbers in an introductory accounting class.
After earning his degree, Stephens began his career in public accounting, working on audit and tax services for small businesses. Yet, he soon realized compliance work wasn’t his passion. “I wanted to actually jump in and help manage and grow a business,” Stephens says. His search for broader experience led him to mergers and acquisitions, a challenging role that expanded his business acumen and brought him face-to-face with CEOs, CFOs, and other business leaders.

That role was demanding—constant travel and long hours—but it also prepared Stephens for his next chapter. When Good City Brewing, a growing Milwaukee-based brewery and former client, asked for his help in finding a CFO, Stephens saw an opportunity to apply his skills directly. “I told them I’d really like the opportunity myself,” he recalls.
Stephens joined Good City Brewing at a time of rapid growth, helping the company scale from 25 to 125 employees in six months. But when the pandemic hit in 2020, he noticed a major challenge in the industry: small breweries were struggling to find affordable, reliable packaging for their beer.
“With bars and taprooms closed, small breweries needed to can their beer for carryout,” Stephens explains. The spike in demand for cans and bottles stretched supply chains thin, and large manufacturers prioritized massive clients like Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola, leaving smaller producers without options.
Seeing an opening, Craft Beverage Warehouse launched in 2020. The company began by distributing wholesale aluminum cans to craft breweries across the country, helping small businesses weather the storm. “I had a connection at the Ball Corporation plant here in Wisconsin, and I got ahead of the problem,” Stephens says. “We started bringing in 25 pallets of cans at a time and shipping them one or two at a time to breweries that needed them.”
From there, Craft Beverage Warehouse evolved. Stephens saw a need to add value beyond distribution. The company invested in direct-to-can digital printing, enabling breweries to print their logos, designs, and labels directly onto cans—a sustainable and professional solution for small-batch producers. “When we started digital printing, I didn’t know a thing about it,” Stephens admits. “It’s a story about adaptability and being willing to learn new skills.”
Today, Craft Beverage Warehouse has grown from a one-man operation to a thriving company with a 21-person team. Revenue has skyrocketed from $1 million annually during its early days to a projected $10 million in 2024, driven by strong demand for their services.
The company’s success has spurred growth beyond Wisconsin. Early next year, Craft Beverage Warehouse will open a second facility in Denver – part of a regional expansion plan to better serve customers across the country.
Through it all, Stephens credits his time at the Lubar College of Business for equipping him with critical financial and analytical skills. “Finance and accounting are the most important things for any businessperson to understand,” he says. “Knowing your numbers gives you the ability to explain your business to banks, investors, and partners. I wouldn’t have been able to get a $3 million loan for our first printer if I couldn’t tell that story with confidence.”
Stephens remains an active supporter of the Lubar College, participating in programs like business pitch competitions and internship opportunities. He also advises aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions wholeheartedly:
- Do something you’re excited about. “Don’t start a business just because it’s an opportunity. Do it because it gets you out of bed every day.”
- Go all in. “It’s going to take everything you have, so make sure your family and friends know what that commitment looks like.”
- Celebrate the wins. “Stop and celebrate the little milestones—your first sale, your first $1 million. It keeps you motivated and brings your team together.”
From his days as an accounting student to leading a multimillion-dollar company, Kyle Stephens exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of Lubar College alumni. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to creating solutions for others—qualities that continue to drive his success and inspire the next generation of business leaders.