Welcome to the world of coworker events, excel spreadsheets, and commercialization! While these fields may not look traditionally creative at first glance, learn how our Dogfish Head coworkers manage to imbue their own sense of style and artistry in their careers here. From “dorky art” to asking “why?” one more time to the beauty of exploring many different paths (and often encountering roadblocks), these coworkers prove that their creativity in and out of the office knows no bounds.
What are your favorite types of projects to work on?
Tom Clark, Financial Planning & Analysis Lead
The ones where there's no defined process and I get to build a solution from scratch. I really enjoy projects that take a pile of data, forecasts and assumptions and turn them into something people can actually use to make decisions and drive us forward. I also really dig making an excel spreadsheet look like something other than an excel spreadsheet. You can do a lot with formatting and design, that's a super dorky kind of art.
Erika Wines, Brewery Office Support Specialist
My favorite projects at work are coworker events. I love taking a theme and running with it — from holiday celebrations and themed Beer:30s, to our big post-holiday all-Delaware coworker party, the Hootenanny. Bringing a theme to life and thinking through every detail helps our coworkers and their guests enjoy the event to the fullest.
How do you express your creative spirit outside of work?
Tom Clark, Financial Planning & Analysis Lead
My wife and I started a little business selling seasonings. I've had a ton of fun building social posts and marketing campaigns around our little brand. We wear a ton of hats, and the creative one is one of my favorites.
Karlyn Massey, Commercialization Data Specialist
I don't think my creativity lives in any one hobby. It shows up in whatever challenge I've decided to tackle next.
Over the years, I've been a firefighter, roller derby player, lifeguard, lacrosse player, soccer player/coach, beekeeper, homebrewer, chicken keeper, gardener, crocheter, Peloton enthusiast, and avid audiobook listener. Right now, I'm redesigning my kitchen to support my latest culinary adventures and teaching myself new skills whenever something catches my interest. Learning to create EDM music may be next.
What all of those things have in common is the journey. I love learning, experimenting, and proving to myself that I can do hard things. Whether I'm figuring out fermentation, learning to crochet, trying a new recipe, or chasing a new challenge, creativity comes from being willing to start before you know exactly how you'll finish.
I don't believe there's one path we're supposed to follow. We get to choose a new one every day through the choices we make. I choose to explore.
Do you have any advice for those looking to add creative flair to a job that isn’t traditionally considered creative?
Tom Clark, Financial Planning & Analysis Lead
Don't box yourself in. I think creativity comes from looking at a problem from a different angle, asking a better question, or finding a simpler way to explain something complicated. Some of the most useful work comes from thinking differently about how information is presented and how decisions are made. Sadly, not everyone gets as excited about spreadsheets as we do. It's tragic. Try to meet those folks where they are, and you'll find a ton of creative opportunities along the way.
Karlyn Massey, Commercialization Data Specialist
First, stop thinking that creativity only belongs to artists, designers, or marketers.
Creativity is really just curiosity put into action.
Some of the most creative people I know work in operations, planning, manufacturing, supply chain, and data. They're constantly finding ways to simplify a process, solve a problem, or help people work together more effectively.
My advice is to ask "Why?" one more time than everyone else.
Why do we do it this way?
What's the real problem we're trying to solve?
What would happen if we tried something different?
Once you understand the root need, creativity starts showing up naturally. Sometimes it's a new process. Sometimes it's a spreadsheet. Sometimes it's bringing together the right people to solve a problem from a completely different angle.
Creativity doesn't require a blank canvas. Sometimes it starts with a roadblock.
What are some ways you imbue creativity into your role at Dogfish Head?
Karlyn Massey, Commercialization Data Specialist
Most people wouldn't put commercialization data, UPC governance, and process management in the "creative" category. I would.
Whenever I encounter a roadblock, my instinct is to dig into what's causing it and figure out how we can make it better. In fact, I keep a running list of process improvements off to the side because otherwise I'd immediately start redesigning everything I touch.
For me, creativity often looks like building frameworks, simplifying complex processes, and developing tools that make work easier for someone else. Whether it was helping build Dogfish Head's production planning process years ago or developing governance models and workflow improvements today, the goal is always the same: leave it better than I found it.
I love talking through challenges with others because the best solutions usually come from understanding why something exists before trying to change it. Complexity doesn't intimidate me. It excites me. It's an opportunity to break a problem into manageable pieces and build something better.
To me, creativity isn't just creating something new. It's having the curiosity to question what's possible and the determination to make it better.
Erika Wines, Brewery Office Support Specialist
In my role as Brewery Office Support Specialist, I use creativity to make coworkers feel special through holiday celebrations, events, and thoughtful treats throughout the year. I believe attention to detail — and helping people feel seen and heard — can make a meaningful difference.
Which Dogfish Head release has inspired you or excited you the most?
Erika Wines, Brewery Office Support Specialist
I’m really loving the Sweet Art release. The syrups let you customize the Berliner Weisse canvas based on how you’re feeling in the moment, which makes the experience especially fun and creative. I also love the base all on its own! My favorite syrup is the Daiquiri inspired Lime and Coconut Syrup.