Award-winning entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den judge Manjit Minhas knows what it takes to defy the odds and thrive in an industry dominated by men. At nineteen, Manjit co-founded Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries—becoming the youngest brewery owner in the world. It’s now the 10th largest brewery in North America. Manjit’s using her success to clear a path for all entrepreneurs of every age and gender by teaching real entrepreneurial skills, from how every business can defy expectations and tackle social problems to using disruptions to our advantage. Her biggest piece of wisdom? With the right approach, “everything can be negotiated, no matter who you are.”
Dragon’s Den celebrity judge Manjit Minhas has been able to do what few ever thought possible—break into the notoriously competitive and male-dominated beer and spirits industry, producing over 90 brands of beer, spirits, liquor, and wine. With her sharp strategy and keen understanding of the market, Minhas breaks down traditional barriers and has turned her small business into an empire.
Manjit is a specialist in brand development, marketing, sales, and retail negotiations, but her true passion is using science and engineering to change people’s lives for the better. She’s the first brewer in Canada to voluntarily put a Management Warning on all her beer cans, she produces beer using the least amount of chemicals, gas, electricity and water, and she changed the game for those suffering from Celiac Disease with her delicious Gluten-Free beer from Sorghum. She created a special 48-can pack of beers for COSTCO with less packaging than any other brewery in Canada or the US, saving millions of pounds of materials from ending up in landfill.
Manjit shares her business knowledge with equal parts force and finesse. You’ll learn the power of giving back, how to put a face to your business, Negotiation 101, why it’s essential to have a mentor, the art of pitching, and how to promote growth in your company. In her book Brewing Up a Damn Good Story, she recounts the compelling tale of her brewery’s survival, and draws upon her experiences to teach us valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Manjit was named one of Canada’s Women Executive Network’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs, Profit’s Top Growth Entrepreneur, and Chatelaine’s Top Entrepreneur Woman of The Year. She’s been profiled in Maclean’s, the Globe and Mail, the Financial Times, and The National, and was lauded as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, a distinction honoring outstanding Canadian leaders. In 2020, she launched “The Manjit Minhas Podcast”, which debuted at Top 10 on the podcast charts. She serves as a Board of Director for ATB Financial, Decibel Cannabis, Hull Mental Health Services, Creator and Alberta Brewers Association.