We continued our popular monthly Partners in Design event series in November with James Every of Boss Cider Company. James joined us in our Lansing, Michigan showroom on November 14th for an educational, inspiring, and fun event. James shared with us his inspiring journey as a local entrepreneur, including the work he is doing for his community in Leslie, Michigan, where Boss Cider Company is based. He also told us about the brewing and cider business and shared some delicious samples with our participants!
What is Partners in Design?
Every month we welcome a local design partner to visit our showroom and present an event featuring their business. With a wide range of design partners each month, from boutiques to chefs, wineries, art galleries, and more, every month is a new opportunity to learn and have fun. All our design partners are local entrepreneurs, and each has a unique story to tell about their journey as local business owners.
About Boss Cider Company
James and Megan Every’s story began when they founded their Leslie, Michigan business on October 1, 2019, with 8 taps of cider and a small food menu. They were pursuing their vision to “follow your dreams and be your own boss”, which was the inspiration for the company’s name. Before founding their company, James spent 18 years in law enforcement and learned about wine, beer, and cider making as a passionate hobby during that time. When he decided to turn this hobby into a career, he worked together with his wife, Megan, and her brother, Peter, in a home-grown, family-run enterprise.
COVID presented challenges for his business, like so many others, but inspired him to turn to retail cider sales. They further expanded in 2022 by increasing their premises’ footprint to 4500 sq. ft. of indoor seating and 300 sq. ft. of outdoor patio seating. They released their own line of eight beers on April 1, 2023, plus wine and seltzers, and a full kitchen menu. Boss Cider Company is the place to be for tasty food and drink, plus an amazing atmosphere!
Boss Cider Company’s Presentation
We got a taste of this at our November event, where James provided samples of his delicious cider varieties. We tried his cranberry, blood orange, blueberry, and apple cinnamon ciders. Each guest also received a glass with his new company logo for their brewery, BCB. His achievements in developing his own beers and ciders are amazing as he is completely self-taught in the brewery and cider business.
James also told us about his work to revitalize Leslie, Michigan, where he is engaging in numerous initiatives with local schools. He is also working to reinvigorate the local Chamber of Commerce. We were all inspired by his initiative and motivation in building his business and working to improve his local community.
Here is a sneak peek at next month’s Partners in Design event:
On December 12 we look forward to welcoming Nicole and Chris Raysin from Custom Cake Designs to our Lansing, Michigan showroom for our next Partners in Design event. Nicole is also a designer with the McDaniels Kitchen and Bath team. They established Custom Cake Designs in 2003 and now run this successful business from their home in Vernon, MI. This is their second time participating in our Partners in Design series and we can’t wait to learn more about baking and creating delicious treats – just in time for the holidays! At our December event, Nicole and Chris will present:
- Boxed cake mixes versus baking cakes from scratch.
- Buttercream vs. fondant icing – why use fondant?
- Can you freeze cake?
- Icing colors – do they change the taste of the icing, why do they stain?
- Chocolate demo – how to make a Christmas cereal drizzle.
Nicole and Chris will also have baskets and treats available for purchase!