Local StoriesApril 7, 2022

Meet Steve Billings

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Steve Billings. Steve was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented William Lopez.

Hi Steve, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I was 10 years old my father added wheels and a handle to a trashcan so I could collect aluminum cans along the boardwalk in Mission Beach. Ever since I had the Entrepreneurial bug. I have had a handful of various businesses over the years, but I found my passion when I discovered the hospitality industry. I have been very fortunate and lucky to have wonderful opportunities present themselves to me and Original 40 Brewing was no exception. I was recently married to my wonder wife, Patricia Billings. So, work-life balance became more important than ever. Turns out we got lucky and found a building across the street from our other business U31 Bar & Grill and four blocks from our home.

Please tell us more about your brand, The Original 40 Brewing
My wife and I are big on customer experience. So, we set out to create an environment that would offer a comfortable, enjoyable and more fulfilling beer/food experience than was being offered at the time. I am very proud of our dedication to quality. We are a small-batch brewery. So, with the lower quantity, we can afford to pay for premium products and ingredients and take the extra time if needed. Our brewer, Cosimo Sorrentino is a master at his craft and holds quality to the highest of standards and pushing creative boundaries. We feel very fortunate to have him on our team.

William Lopez and Alternative Strategies have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about William and Alternative Strategies and your experience with them.
I discovered Alternative Strategies through a referral of a fellow business owner. I really like the way they structure their business. They create teams to individually work on each aspect of our business. Each project is handled by a team that specializes in the exact issue or project. They are always approachable and available. I have enjoyed the same prompt and attentive service from the first month as I have in our third year doing business together. Being a business owner can often feel lonely and make you feel like you are on an island without a lifeboat. Other business owners can be helpful, but often they do not have the resources or may not share their magic sauce.

Alternative Strategies handles our Public Relations and Graphic Design, and they definitely deliver. We have had a wonder variety of exposure and press while working with them.

However, for me it’s the culture and attention to details that really brings the extra value to our business. Working with Alternative Strategies has given me the feeling of always having a level and informed perspective, steady hand, and a lifeboat. William has been by my side in the good and bad times/events. He genuinely cares about our business and has always gone the extra mile for us. He puts a great network of other business owners together that also offer another layer of recourses and networking.

I serve with William on the North Park Mainstreet Board of Directors. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to get to know William in a different light and I am happy to say he is the same genuine, supportive and helpful person.