Collette Coggins Creates Native Brews in WNC
Photo Credit: Jessica Winchester
By Meg Hale Brunton
Collette Coggins is the proud owner and operator of Native American Brewing and Native Brews Tap & Grill, but most people simply call her ‘Ma’ or ‘Mama,’ and that’s just fine with her. Growing up on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina, Coggins left home at sixteen to pursue her dreams. After graduating high school, she moved to Asheville and earned a business degree from UNC-Asheville. She then started her career as a sales associate for a Hallmark store called Cards Etc. Impressed by her talent, the management sent her to Hallmark’s school in Kansas City, where she mastered everything from setting up displays to creating marketing campaigns.
After having her first child, Coggins and her husband Barry decided to return to Cherokee in 2004. In 2009, Coggins was appointed as a commissioner of the original alcohol commission board for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She later became the Chairman of the commission, serving for seven years. Her lobbying efforts helped make it possible for alcohol to be sold in Cherokee casinos. Seeing the potential in the brewing industry, Coggins went on to open the first Cherokee woman-owned brewery on the Qualla Boundary and in North Carolina, which was also the second in the entire United States. It was a 100% woman-owned Native American brewing company.
In 2009, Coggins and her husband started a construction company, Cherokee Nation Construction (CNC INC). With her business management experience, she opened Native American Brewing Company in 2018, which changed her life. “It has exceeded all expectations,” she says. Opening the restaurant Native Brews Tap & Grill in 2020 became the main focus of her schedule. “It’s my new baby. It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done, but it’s the most satisfying.”
Coggins works wherever she is needed at the restaurant, whether it’s doing accounting or washing dishes. Initially, she felt she had to be on the premises all day, but now she has confidence in her staff and even takes occasional days off. “It brightens my day to see my staff. We’re a family-oriented business, and we like it that way,” Coggins says. “We all work together, and no job is more important than the next. We make group decisions and are very close, discussing all situations because they affect everyone.” She adds that they like to get to know their customers and turn them into lifelong friends, which is reflected in the restaurant’s consistent 5-star reviews.
Some of Coggins’ favorite dishes at the restaurant include blackened catfish, filet of sole, and Executive Chef Kevin Conrad’s award-winning peanut-encrusted trout. “And I don’t even like fish!” she laughs. She also expresses gratitude for Assistant Manager and Assistant Executive Chef Reuben Sharpless, who oversees the quality of the plates and staff and creates many weekly specials.
Native American Brewing’s top-selling beers include Sunrise Hard Vanilla Spiced Ale, Native Girl Pale Ale, Warrior Blonde Ale, and Shapeshifter IPA. They also make Hard Lemonade and Hard Root Beer. Coggins says the secret to their beer’s flavor lies in the water they use: some varieties use water from WNC, while others use water from their brew partner in California. This partnership allows Native American Brewing’s beers to be available on the West Coast. Their beer is also great for flavoring food at the restaurant, especially their phenomenal beer cheese.
Coggins says she has the best partner in the world in her husband Barry. She designed the logo around his hand in red with a swirl across the palm, representing long life and prosperity among the Cherokee people. Their shared entrepreneurial spirit is convenient for their relationship. “My husband and I do not relax very well,” she admits. Always moving forward, Native Brews will open a second location in Bryson City near the railroad station this October and hopes to open a third location in either Franklin or Waynesville soon. They are also in the process of building their own brewhouse, though progress is slow due to their many ongoing projects.
Recognized as the Cherokee Nation’s National Woman of the Year in 2019, Coggins is proud of her accomplishments but remains grounded. “What I try to keep in mind daily is remembering being that little ‘rez kid’ running around. It’s not about the money; it’s about the relationships you build and being good to people. I try my best to treat others how I want to be treated,” she says. While she is proud of all her businesses, Coggins acknowledges that the family restaurant is her heart. She invites everyone who wants a hot, hearty meal to “Come in, meet our crew, and eat our food. You truly cannot express the experience that you get when you come here.”
Collette Coggins is not just a business owner; she is a trailblazer. As a Native American woman entrepreneur, she has paved the way for others in her community and beyond. Her journey from the Qualla Boundary to becoming a successful businesswoman is a testament to her determination, vision, and unwavering commitment to her roots.
For more information on Native American Brewing, check out their website: https://native-brews.com/
