Person in a white shirt and dark vest pouring beer from a tap into a tilted glass, with foam forming at the top; bar setting with multiple taps in the background.

MBA Helps Jeff Browne Launch Heartwork Brewing

By Lauren Lesmeister

OMBA graduate Jeff Browne wearing a graduation cap and Cougar head logo sweater, standing in front of the 'Cougar Pride' statue on the Pullman campus, with trees and buildings in the background.
Jeff Browne

In 2020, Jeff Browne (‘23 MBA) was juggling two passions: music and hospitality. He taught music and managed a local bar—until the COVID-19 pandemic brought both careers to a screeching halt. Laid off from both jobs, Browne found himself at a professional crossroads.

Determined to pivot, he turned his attention to MBA programs. Encouraged by WSU alumni he had worked with and impressed by the reputation of the Carson College’s top-ranked online MBA program offered through WSU Global Campus, Browne decided it was time to invest in his future.

With a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology, Browne chose to pursue a concentration in finance to build a more stable business foundation and broaden his management skill set.

“I thought finance would provide a safety net during such an uncertain time,” he says.

A redemptive academic experience

Earning his MBA was more than a career move—it was a personal triumph. As an undergraduate, Browne struggled with academics and even faced academic probation. His MBA journey was a chance to rewrite that narrative.

“I was able to prove to myself I have what it takes to be successful with academics and finished with a 4.0,” he says. “My MBA from the Carson College gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and handle anything life throws at me.”

Browne credits the structure of the MBA program with sharpening one of his most essential professional tools: time management. The rigor of balancing coursework with other responsibilities pushed him to stay focused and efficient. But it was the group work—often with strangers and conducted entirely online—that truly challenged and strengthened his leadership abilities, ultimately preparing him to be a better supervisor and business owner.

“You have to step up and make sure teamwork happens, even when you’re not in the same room,” he says.

That experience taught him to quickly assess others’ strengths and understand how each person’s skills contribute to a team’s success, something he now applies daily in his leadership role at Heartwork Brewing.

Finding his strengths in finance and operations

Browne, particularly enjoyed finance courses that introduced him to investment analysis and advanced Excel skills. These skills have become invaluable, helping him to expand his business expertise and understand the full picture of his brewery, not just the hospitality side. In his Investment Analysis class, Browne learned about the stock market and investing. Despite having no prior experience in the field, he excelled and even finished in the top five of a course-wide investment competition.

He also discovered a passion for operations and logistics. His MBA highlighted the importance of small details that can often be overlooked in operations management.

“With my undergrad in psychology and music, there were a lot of areas I didn’t have a background with yet,” he says. “Balance sheets, sales forecasts, optimizing labor costs, and more—all were invaluable to learn.”

Brewing a new vision

Before Browne completed the MBA program, he was approached about opening Heartwork Brewing, causing him to shift from finance back to hospitality, a familiar industry.

As a cofounder at Heartwork, Browne wears many hats, including kitchen and taproom manager. His years in hospitality equipped him with strong listening and problem-solving skills, while his MBA added a new layer of strategic thinking.

“From the timing of kitchen tickets, to the benefit of a proper guest greeting, to the floorplan of our brewery space—my MBA helped me to look at the business holistically,” he says. “I feel better equipped to evaluate not just how the business is today, but where we want to be in five years.”

Heartwork Brewing has won several awards including Bloomington’s Number One Favorite Beer for 2025 and Local Restaurant Survey Favorite for 2024 from Bloom Magazine, Best of B-Town by The Official Community’s Choice Awards, and multiple honors from Untappd recognizing the quality of their beers. Browne’s journey, from laid-off restaurant manager to successful business owner, is a testament to the value and versatility of a Carson MBA and the power of a well-timed pivot.