# Financial Crisis Beer Brooklyn Brew Shop Duo on the Rise as Economy Flops By Robyn Currie | Published 2009-09-22 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brooklyn-brew-shop References: [nytimes](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/nyregion/22entry.html?ref=business) & [brooklynbrewshop](http://brooklynbrewshop.com/) During tough economic times, it seems counter-intuitive to quit your job and create your own small business, but that is exactly what Stephen Valand and Erica Shea did when they created the Brooklyn Brew Shop specializing in apartment-sized beer making kits. In an interview with nytimes.com, the two discuss gathering the money for their venture, learning how to start a business from the Internet, sourcing parts and ingredients for the Brooklyn Brew Shop. Most importantly, they learned the hard way to tell someone who was just laid off from their job, that they had quit. As for health insurance, they are hoping Barack Obama comes through on that one. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 7% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Home-brewing Kits:** The popularity of home-brewing kits is on the rise as more people look to create their own craft beer. - **Entrepreneurship During Economic Downturns:** Entrepreneurs are taking advantage of tough economic times to start new, innovative businesses. - **Online Business Resources:** Businesses are turning to the internet for information and resources on starting and scaling their businesses. ### Who This Affects Most - **Craft Beer:** Craft beer companies can take advantage of the rise in home-brewing kits by offering unique and high-quality ingredients and equipment for avid brewers. - **Online Education:** Online education platforms can provide resources and courses for entrepreneurs looking to start and grow their own businesses. - **E-commerce:** E-commerce platforms can offer a variety of products, including home-brewing kits and ingredients, for customers to purchase from the comfort of their own homes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Adult Content-Themed Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lauren-beers.md) - [DIY Hard Cider Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hard-cider-brewing-kit.md) - [Bread Surplus-Created Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycling-food-trend.md) - [Fonio Craft Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brooklyn-brewery-1.md) - [CPG Brand Beer Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/split-face.md) - [Hip-Hop Craft Beer Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beer-collab.md) - [Retailer-Exclusive Craft Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brooklyn-brewery-and-tesco.md) - [Cross-Continental Beer Brewing Documentaries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beer-is-art-campaign.md) - [Ukrainian-Supporting Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/resolve-beer.md)