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: This industry thrives because of the people who power it

By Rebecca Stow • December 30, 2025
As we close out the year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the milestones our industry has achieved and the people who made them possible. The skilled professionals who work in Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry often start with a job that evolves into a long, fulfilling career with family-owned businesses deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Throughout 2025, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association was proud to share the stories of over 100 individuals from across our industry, including women leaders, logistics professionals, truck drivers, veterans, salespeople, and more. We posed a simple question: What do you love most about working in beer and wine distribution? Across each campaign, a clear theme emerged among the answers: the people. Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors support more than 6,400 jobs statewide, and each one involves building relationships. Whether helping a new restaurant choose the perfect draft lineup or wine list, sharing knowledge about new products and trends, making a delivery, or supporting a team member through their first big sale, these individuals take pride in working together to help their business partners and communities thrive. They know that success in the beer and wine industry isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about the people behind it. Throughout the holiday season and beyond, beer and wine distributors bring commitment and expertise to every aspect of this fast-paced, constantly evolving industry. They help consumers access a wide variety of quality products that are often shared during life’s big and small celebrations, bringing people together through shared experiences and traditions. The camaraderie in this industry sets it apart, creating meaningful work built on collaboration, trust, and shared success. Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are always seeking talented individuals to join their teams. From marketing, finance, and sales to warehouse operations, truck driving, or other essential roles, there are many rewarding career paths to explore. We encourage anyone interested in a dynamic, people-focused industry to reach out to their local distributors and learn more about available opportunities. As we look ahead to a new year, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association remains committed to elevating and amplifying the remarkable work our distributors do. Their dedication turns everyday work into community impact and makes this industry truly exceptional. Spencer Nevins is the president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.

Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association to open new headquarters in Boji Tower

By Rebecca Stow • December 8, 2025
LANSING, Mich. – The MB&WWA is proud to announce the opening of its new headquarters in the historic Boji Tower in downtown Lansing this Thursday, Dec. 11.

Ypsilanti-based O&W Inc. celebrates Giving Tuesday with donations to four local nonprofits

By Rebecca Stow • November 26, 2025
YPSILANTI, Mich. – As Giving Tuesday approaches on Dec. 2, O&W Inc., a fifth-generation beer distributor in Ypsilanti, celebrates its tradition of giving back.