Laughing Dog Brewing named chamber's top small business

SANDPOINT — Laughing Dog Brewing is the recipient of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Appreciation Award 2006.

"It is with great pleasure we present this award to Fred and Michelle," said Judy Baird, the chamber's executive director. "Small businesses play such an important role here in our community and in the future of Bonner County. Laughing Dog Brewing epitomizes the power of entrepreneurship and hard work. We are pleased to have this opportunity to recognize their success and to thank them for all they give back to our community."

Laughing Dog Brewing was started by Fred Colby and Michelle Douglass in August 2005. The business was started at home after a friend introduced Fred to home brewing.

"I thought it would be a cheap way to drink beer," said Fred Colby.

However, he soon realized that it was quite expensive. He continued his hobby, though, and found that brewing beer was a way for him to wind down. The activity soon turned into a small dream that has become a big reality.

With one year of research, they opened their brewing company. In strategizing a name, they used their yellow lab, Ben. Friends told them that Ben looked like he was laughing when he panted, thus came the name Laughing Dog.

After only a year of operation, Michelle and Fred are flabbergasted at how much business they have had in the first year. They thought it would be a small brewing company distributing in North Idaho, but they are now in Seattle, Boise, and other areas in the Northwest.

They are brewing about 1,000 barrels of beer per year compared to most breweries, which produce 400-500 barrels a year.

Looking toward the future, they hope to be a dominant product on the entire West Coast in the next five to 10 years, he said.

"Support from the community has been fantastic," Douglass said. "We like to give to the community, too, and it's great that it all comes back. We love going out to help events and see people enjoying our product and walking around with the laughing dog logo on."

Laughing Dog is not merely a success story due to good beer. Colby and Douglass will tell you that they are shocked at how much the business has grown, but it is their passion and dedication that sets them apart from competition.

They researched and studied the industry, prepared financially to take this risk, and now analyze every move they make in an ever-changing market place.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to give Laughing Dog this award, and looks forward to supporting them as their business flourishes, Baird said.

Information: Laughing Dog Brewing, online at www.laughingdogbrewing.com; or call them at (208) 263-9222. The company is located at 55 Emerald Industrial Park Rd. in Ponderay.