Commentary: Brewing up a career for women (As Published in Crain's Detroit)

June 29, 2023

As President of O & W Inc., I am proud to represent women in Michigan’s thriving beer and wine distribution industry. It has been my life's greatest thrill — and challenge — to take the reins of my family business in an industry that men had primarily run for decades.

Today, breweries and retailers of all sizes are owned and operated by women. There are female head brewers, and women continue climbing the ranks of Michigan’s family-owned, independent beer and wine distributors.


I am proud to be part of the fifth generation to lead O & W Inc., along with my sister, Jamie Wanty, and cousins Cooper Wanty and Isabel Wanty. It has been an honor to grow up in this warehouse and be one of three women in leadership roles today. We pride ourselves on providing good-paying jobs to over 170 people, offering a premium level of service to our 2,400 licensed retailers, and giving back to the communities we serve.


We’re in great company, with more women taking on key leadership roles in sales, marketing, human resources, finance, operations, and more in our industry across Michigan. Women are working in warehouses, merchandising in retail stores, and leading their organizations as presidents and CEOs. They are making strategic business decisions and creating cultures of collaboration and inclusion that are opening doors that had been closed for generations.


There is, of course, more work to be done. That’s why I’m excited to help increase the role of women in my industry as Chair of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association’s Women’s Advocacy Committee. The MB&WWA established this committee in 2020 to advocate for distributor interests in Lansing and highlight women’s vital role in the beer and wine industry.

Our dynamic committee consists of female executives from distributors across the state, as well as the Vice President of Operations & Events for the MB&WWA and one of its lead female lobbyists. We are all evidence of how the beer and wine distribution industry continues to evolve, with strong women rising through the ranks every day. Our goal is to showcase that progress and educate other women about the numerous job opportunities available to them that can lead to rewarding and fulfilling careers.


The beer and wine distribution industry is unique in that it provides the ability to choose your own path. I encourage young women to lean into who they are, trust themselves, and pursue what excites them. If you love being creative, distributors utilize graphic designers, marketers, social media experts, public relations professionals, and more. If you enjoy working with numbers, there are finance and accounting departments. If you prefer working directly with people, merchandising in retail stores or sales could be for you.


There have never been more opportunities, and we’re just getting started.

Detroit News: Celebrating Michigan’s Family-Owned Beer and Wine Distributors

By Rebecca Stow • June 23, 2026
On June 23, National Family-Owned and Operated Businesses Day offers an opportunity to recognize the local companies that form the backbone of Michigan’s economy. Among them are the state’s beer and wine distributors—independent, family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for decades. These are multigenerational operations rooted in Michigan communities, where leadership is often passed from one generation to the next. Their longevity reflects not only business success, but a deep commitment to the people and places they serve. When I began my work with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association two decades ago, the industry looked very different. Today, Michigan consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of choices, supported by advanced logistics, compliance systems, and strong retail partnerships. That evolution has been driven in large part by family-owned distributors who continue to invest in their people, infrastructure and communities. Their local ownership gives them a unique understanding of the retailers and consumers they serve. It also means decisions are made with a long-term perspective—focused not just on growth, but on sustainability and community impact. Thoughtful alcohol policy helps ensure a fair and competitive marketplace, protects public health and safety, and allows businesses of all sizes to thrive. By maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers and industry partners, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have helped modernize laws while preserving the structure and accountability of the proven three-tier system. As we recognize family-owned businesses across the state this June, it is worth celebrating the role Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have played for decades and will continue to play in the years ahead. Their strength lies not only in their ability to adapt, but in the values that have guided them from the beginning: local ownership, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).