Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Migration Brewing named Oregon’s 2024 Small Business Person of the Year

Photos and Story by James Hill

In the bustling world of Portland’s craft beer scene, Migration Brewing has earned the title of Oregon’s 2024 Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration (SBA). And, Portland Community College has been there in support for most of its rise.

“We are very humbled and very excited,” said McKean Banzer-Lausberg, co-founder and co-owner of Migration Brewing. “It was the first time a craft brewery had received this accolade, so it was an extreme honor when the news broke. Receiving an award that touches on these critical points — longevity, growth, overcoming adversity and community involvement — was extremely exciting and very humbling for us. It validates why we get up every day to work on our business.”

As part of the honor, Banzer-Lausberg and his team traveled to Washington, D.C. earlier this summer to accept the award from the SBA. They were in the company of over 40 other businesses that had won in their respective states, sharing stories of success and challenges.

“It was an amazing trip,” he added. “We shared all types of stories about our successes and challenges. For a company like ours it was an incredible honor.”

Turning to PCC

Migration Brewing’s journey is intricately tied to PCC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which helps thousands of business owners in Portland with one-on-one business advising and training programs taught by business experts.

Engaging with the SBDC for more than 12 years, the brewery participated in the Professional Development Program in 2012, which assisted in the acceleration of their growth. A pivotal moment came in 2017-2018 when they transitioned from a small neighborhood brewpub to a larger production and manufacturing facility.

Banzer-Lausberg said guidance from SBDC’s Capital Access Team Lead Noah Brockman and Senior Business Advisor Jackie Babicky-Peterson helped them put together a plan that was well received by both investors and banks.

“This support allowed us to secure financing and loans that facilitated our growth,” he said. “Their guidance helps us navigate challenges, pitfalls and considerations for new endeavors. It has been invaluable in our expansion and growth.”

The Migration team attended PCC’s Small Business Management Program in 2013 and utilized SBDC to advise them as needed through the years. Starting with that course, PCC has assisted with the company’s business plan, financial projections, loan package development and lender relations.

“It’s just wonderful to watch our clients grow and thrive,” said Noah Brockman, who is the SBDC’s Capital Access Team lead. “One thing all our clients have in common is a willingness to seek expert assistance and leverage these economic development resources available to Oregon business owners. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work with the founders at Migration Brewing.”

Super-Sized Growth

Founded in 2010 by Banzer-Lausberg and his partners, Migration Brewing has three regular brick-and-mortar locations and four seasonal retail spots, including a presence at the Portland Saturday Market.

At the start, the company consisted of a small delivery truck selling kegs to several hundred bars and restaurants around town. Now, Migration is considered a regional brewery, distributing in four states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Colorado. The team has also expanded distribution internationally to Southeast Asia, specifically Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong.

“When we first started Migration Brewing, my business partners and I were working behind the bar every day,” he recalled. “Slowly but surely, we began to add team members. By the time we took the SBDC course through PCC, we had a staff of eight. Over the following years, we grew that to about 15, essentially doubling our staff during that time.”

The founders eventually opened a production facility in 2018, which allowed them to lean into growth through its products and by adding additional retail locations. This expansion led to the hiring of more staff, eventually reaching 50 employees.

“PCC and the SBDC were critical in this growth phase,” he said. “Their guidance in creating solid business plans and securing financing helped us make these significant leaps.”

Migration Brewing has grown to become the third largest brewery in Portland and the 14th largest in Oregon. Along the way, the company was nominated twice as one of the fastest-growing companies in Oregon, in 2019 and 2021.

“This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance from PCC and the SBDC,” said Banzer-Lausberg.

Pandemic Effects

There were bumps in the road to this journey. Like many businesses in the hospitality sector, Migration Brewing faced temporary closures and financial uncertainty when COVID-19 hit in 2020. However, with the support of programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the brewery weathered the storm.

In addition, Migration employees and leadership hosted fundraisers and benefits at its original location on 28th and Glisan for its community. These efforts, Banzer-Lausberg said, are deeply ingrained in the company culture. 

“Our pandemic response required us to pivot in multiple directions and lean heavily on our community relationships,” he added. “It was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do. From the beginning, community involvement has been a core part of our identity.”

Despite the current challenging business climate for local craft brewers, Migration doesn’t plan to slow down and will change course when needed with PCC there by its side.

“We aim to be part of the comeback story, rebuilding the city and the region to meet future aspirations,” said Banzer-Lausberg. “By focusing on these areas, we hope to navigate the current challenges and continue to grow.”

For more information about Migration Brewing, visit www.migrationbrewing.com. And, for additional details about PCC’s SBDC, check out www.pcc.edu/professional/small-business/