Hawk's Eye View: Maddie Bowen '19

After graduating from UNCW with a degree in business and environmental studies, Maddie Bowen '19 turned her passion for community, sustainability and local business into a career. What began as a role managing events at Lions Roar Brewing Co. Quickly grew into business ownership, where she now leads with the same collaborative spirit and service-minded approach she developed as a Seahawk. From building partnerships with local organizations to creating a welcoming gathering place in Westfield, New Jersey, Bowen has embraced entrepreneurship as a way to strengthen the community around her. 

In this latest Hawk’s Eye View, Bowen reflects on her journey from student leader to brewery owner, sharing how her experiences at UNCW continue to influence her leadership, resilience and vision for building a business that makes a lasting impact.  

You studied business and environmental studies at UNCW and took on leadership roles across campus. How did those academic and extracurricular experiences shape the way you approach leadership and business ownership today?   

Combining business with environmental studies, I learned that going the extra mile is almost always worth it. Making little decisions that can benefit the world around you or offset environmental impact will always be met with more support than not. While you’ll always have to consider the bottom line, running your business in a way where you consider your impact and take a stand for the things that are important to you will encourage those that support you, your business and your vision that much more.   

You received a scholarship while at UNCW. What impact did your scholarship have on your experience at UNCW, and how did it support your goals?   

I’m a first-generation college graduate, so despite how incredibly hard my parents work, and how much they helped me pay for my education, every little bit counted. I was able to take summer courses to solidify my minor and concentration and take time off of work in the summers to volunteer with GIVE. UNCW has so many resources that pointed me in the right direction of scholarships that were available, and I’m forever thankful!    

Your involvement with GIVE Volunteers and international volunteer work introduced you to new communities and experiences after graduation. How did travel and service influence your perspective on entrepreneurship and community-building?   

My travels and international volunteer work definitely impacted how I view humanity as a whole. Being a small business owner, you meet and interact with all kinds of people. I think leading with kindness and empathy has not only made others feel welcome, but it also protects my mental health when customers or people online are unkind, which unfortunately you’re always going to get as a small business owner. I think the more we understand that everyone around us has a story just as complex as our own, the easier it is to navigate tough situations with thick skin; and on the other end, the easier it is to build genuine connections with those around us as a human first, entrepreneur second.    

You moved from General Manager and Events Coordinator at Lions Roar Brewing Co. to owner in just a few years. What were the biggest lessons you learned during that transition, both professionally and personally?   

While every business and organization is going to be different, I had to learn the fine line between working for what you want while also having boundaries. I did a lot more than my original job description to get to where I am, but I always made sure I was HAPPY doing it. Especially in the small business space as things are always evolving and growing.  

Craft breweries often become gathering spaces that reflect the personality of a community. What vision did you have for Lions Roar Brewing Co.'s role in Westfield, and how did you work to bring that vision to life?   

To be a space for the community, you have to be community driven and listen to the folks around you! We have changed our hours, opened for special events, and booked entertainment and events based solely on feedback from our community. Breweries in New Jersey aren’t able to serve food, and while it hinders how much we can sell, I’ve always seen it as an opportunity to lift up the businesses around us and create partnerships that benefit eateries in our community. Food aside, we do things like maker’s markets around the holidays to give local creators an opportunity to sell their goods, book local musicians, partner with local nonprofits and more. I see this place as my home with an open-door policy. I want people to not only love spending time here but feel good about the money they spend knowing it’s staying local.    

Looking back, what aspects of your time at UNCW best prepared you for the realities of entrepreneurship that you may not have fully appreciated as a student?   

To be completely honest, I’ve always been a bit of an energizer bunny and I’m quite bad at relaxing (shocker I became a small business owner, huh?). In college especially I loved to stay busy between school, working multiple jobs, being in multiple student groups and soaking up every second of my social life. I also had high standards for my success, striving to excel academically and maintain leadership positions in my student group. I think the time management I learned by being, admittedly, spread thin was a necessary skill that prepared me for being a small business owner despite how exhausting it can be at times.    

Entrepreneurship can come with uncertainty, long hours and unexpected challenges. What has helped you stay resilient throughout your career journey so far?   

MY COMMUNITY! The people you surround yourself are everything. My friends and family have spent early mornings and late nights helping me paint, unbox and organize merchandise, power wash, you name it. My staff are all committed to the vision of the brewery, each other and myself as owner. We have each other's backs, we show up for each other and it makes us work harder as a unit. My regulars quite literally keep our doors open, and over the years they have helped me even more than they know. I love the quote “if you build it, they will come." I created a space I love, and the best community not only fell in love with the space, but they care about it as if it were their own.  

What advice would you give current students who hope to turn their passions, leadership experiences and connections into a career of their own?   

Whatever you’re passionate about, CAN BE YOUR CAREER! I loved exploring the breweries in Wilmington, organizing community events at them, enjoying live music, learning about the science behind brewing beer and I now get to do that every single day, putting smiles on peoples' faces. I recommend just reaching out to people who have a career you’d be interested in for yourself, treat them to a coffee or a beer, pick their brain, maybe even shadow them if applicable. My best advice is to look into every resource available to you! You never know what opportunity you may stumble upon or what connections you’ll make.   

How do you stay connected to UNCW as an alum? 

Every time I visit Wilmington, which is now a few times a year, I make sure I visit campus to see all the incredible changes happening — not just on campus, but around the city. At the brewery, I proudly sport my Proud Alumni-Owned Business  sticker on the front door, and it’s started such wonderful conversations with guests that have either gone there or have children looking to apply. I’m truly UNCW’s biggest advocate. WINGS UP! 

Want to support fellow Seahawks? Check out our Alumni-Owned Business Directory! Are you an alum who owns a business? Submit yours!