Growing Through the Storm: A Small Business Story

Mick Zulpo photographed inside his newest business venture, Wisdom Brewing, in Downtown North Wilkesboro.

As we move past the first part of the year, many small businesses begin to feel a familiar strain. The slower pace of early spring, the unpredictability, and the challenge of simply pushing through. It’s a reality that every entrepreneur faces at some point, and it’s exactly why we wanted to hear from Mick Zulpo.

Mick Zulpo is the owner, alongside his wife Aynsley Zulpo, of The Block, The Lost Wombat, and Wisdom Brewing. They also own the Liberty Theater with Mark and Lani Cook. With years of experience both internationally and now rooted in Wilkes County for the past five years, Mick has seen firsthand what it takes to build and sustain something meaningful.

When asked what has helped him push through the inevitable hard times, especially while opening and growing multiple businesses amid delays and setbacks, his answer was simple: resilience.

“You have to have resilience amidst it all,” he shared. “You’re always going to have roadblocks. Most people think it’s a signal to give up when things start going wrong—but you have to press through.”

And for Mick, those roadblocks aren’t theoretical—they’re very real. From glycol machines failing and chiller compressors breaking, to replacing a brand-new compressor only to have it fail again 2 weeks later, the challenges can feel relentless. Add in ice storms, vendor disruptions, blown tires, and the countless small but critical issues that arise, and it becomes clear: this journey is never smooth.

But his perspective is what makes the difference.

“It’s not just you,” he says. “This is something all entrepreneurs go through. If you believe in what you’re doing—if it’s something you’re truly passionate about—you have to keep your head down and push through. These things are going to happen. Getting through them is what will make you successful.”

That mindset has shaped every venture he’s been part of. Each business wasn’t created just to exist—it was built to fill a need.

The Block created a space for kids and families to gather, explore, and simply be together. The Lost Wombat introduced outdoor seating and playground experiences the county had never seen before. Wisdom Brewing brings a unique brewery experience to the area—not as competition, but as part of a growing community alongside others doing similar work. And at the Liberty Theater, initiatives like $5 movies and summer programming for kids are intentional ways to give back.

For Mick, it all comes down to understanding your purpose.

“Make sure what you’re doing fills a niche,” he advises. “Don’t replicate—know your market.”

It’s a message that resonates deeply, especially during tougher seasons. Entrepreneurship and small business ownership aren’t for the faint of heart—they’re for those who stay the course. Those who keep showing up, even when things go wrong—because they will.

And when they do, resilience becomes everything.

It’s about recognizing that obstacles aren’t signs to stop, but part of the journey itself. It’s about understanding that you’re not alone—that countless others are navigating the same challenges and rising above them. It’s about leaning into what comes, trusting your passion, and knowing you have what it takes to push through.

Because in the end, success isn’t built on things going right. It’s built on the decision to keep going when they don’t.

Written by: Doren Tripp, Thriving Business Committee Chair