ROLLING WAVES: BREAKING BARRIERS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
“Ride the wave!” is the phrase that captures this story of personal perseverance and business success through inclusion, resilience and the vision of a diverse team.
By: Edda Pujadas
Rolling Waves Brewing & Distillery recently opened its doors in Doral, offering much more than a brewery experience. Behind its launch is a story of perseverance and determination that goes beyond a craft beverage concept: its founders set out to create a space where people can gather, enjoy themselves, connect with others and feel at home.
According to information provided by Rolling Waves, the business was founded by five original partners who set out to challenge traditional barriers to entrepreneurship: Richard Hartogs, Bridget Bonheyo, Michael Pimentel, Amit Rupani and Robert Esposito. Four of the partners are deaf, while Hartogs serves as director of operations. Together, they developed a project aimed at redefining craft production in Doral.
Amit Rupani, who serves as spokesperson for the group, explains that the company grew out of the idea of creating an environment where creativity, culture and diversity could come together naturally for every visitor.
“We wanted to create a space where people could gather, enjoy themselves, connect with others and feel at home.”
The story behind the establishment takes on an especially human dimension because four of its original partners are deaf, making Rolling Waves an example of personal perseverance and entrepreneurial success built on inclusion, resilience and the work of a diverse team.
The project also represents a commitment to accessibility and inclusion within South Florida’s beverage and entertainment industry. According to Rupani, one of their main goals has been to demonstrate that deaf entrepreneurs can build and lead successful businesses while creating an inclusive environment where Deaf and hearing communities can come together naturally.
THE BEGINNING
“This project brought me together with people I have known and trusted for years. One of them is Richard, our director of operations. Richard and I have known each other for a long time, and he previously worked in hospitality at breweries up north. With his experience in hospitality and brewery operations, I believed his perspective would bring valuable insight to Rolling Waves.”
Rupani says they saw an opportunity to introduce changes and create a different kind of brewery experience, focused not only on the beer but also on the people who walk through the doors.
“We want people to feel welcome from the moment they arrive, whether it is their first visit or they come every week.”
With four deaf original partners, representation and accessibility are central to the Rolling Waves story.
“We want to show that deaf entrepreneurs can build and lead businesses in the hospitality and beverage industry, while also creating a space where Deaf, hearing and diverse communities can come together naturally. Everyone should feel welcome here.”
The name Rolling Waves reflects that same philosophy of constant movement and resilience. The waves serve as a metaphor for the entrepreneurial journey the group has experienced since the beginning of the project.
Under the internal idea of “riding the wave,” the establishment has developed an in-house lineup ranging from lagers to more experimental offerings, building an identity that seeks to stand out within the local food and beverage market.
“Our philosophy is simple: Ride the wave!”
THE ROAD TO OPENING
Rupani says Doral has been part of his life for many years.
“I spent a lot of time in the area and frequently visited the former MIA Brewing location as a customer, but at the time, I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to take over that same space and build something of my own there.”
“Life has a funny way of coming full circle, and somehow that is exactly what happened. When the opportunity came up, I saw the potential to transform a place I already knew into Rolling Waves Brewing & Distillery. Bringing Richard into the project was also essential, because I was looking for someone who understood hospitality, the brewery environment and, above all, someone I already knew and trusted.”
Rupani says, “For me, there is something very special about walking into a place I once visited as a customer and realizing that I am now helping shape its next chapter and create a place where, hopefully, other people can feel that same connection for many years to come.”
Since taking over the location, the Rolling Waves team has focused on developing its own identity, building a strong team, expanding its product lineup, strengthening operations and creating a long-term vision for the company. Rolling Waves
“Doral was the ideal community for our vision because of its incredible diversity. So many cultures, businesses, families and communities come together here. We do not want Rolling Waves to be a brewery for just one type of customer; we want it to feel like a second home for the community, a place where people from across Doral and Miami can come together, relax, celebrate, meet new people and feel like they belong.”
Rolling Waves is located at 10400 NW 33rd St., Doral. To learn more about its offerings, visit rollingwavesbrew.com or follow @rollingwavesbrew on social media.