Life is Service: Mike Potter x Proximity Brewing Company

“I’ve always been a firm believer in the adage ‘when you do something you love, it never feels like work.’ As creatives and entrepreneurs, our mission often has larger implications for our community, and we must factor that into what we are building. There’s a growing network of Black-owned breweries in the United States, and craft beer is relatively new territory for many consumers. Knowing this, we have an opportunity, and sometimes an obligation, to introduce beer in a way that represents traditional beer culture accurately while resonating with our patrons and giving them something they can feel connected to.

Our brand, ‘Proximity,’ is defined by nearness in space, time, and relation. For us, it’s about the lessons and processes, and building pathways to where we want to go. Staying in proximity to the right energy, the right people, helps build those lessons and pathways. It’s obviously tough, and there are days you win and days you don’t. But you never lose. It’s way easier when you understand how the pieces on the board move, your own and others’ strengths and weaknesses, and what your opening, middle, and endgame are going to be. It’s like one big, lifelong game of chess.

Old East Durham is something special to our community. We’re proud to contribute to the Black Wall Street mindset, the business development, showing that it can be done, sharing how it can be done. The neighborhood has struggled for many years, with a lack of proper investments and many abandoned storefronts. But now, we’re seeing a resurgence of businesses thriving here, from Mike D’s and Congress, the pizza over at Sofia’s, to Ideal’s sandwiches, and now some of the best beer in the country with our brewery and taproom. We’re proud to be part of this growing neighborhood and being on the ground floor of creating a vibe and destination. There’s a lot of creativity in this connected network, and the sky’s the limit on what can happen.

When it comes to my work, I’m always around. This is my baby, and I love what I do here. If I’m not behind the bar, I’m crunching numbers and researching all things beer at a table with my computer. Come in, ask questions, have a flight, be curious. We are here to connect with the community and create something special together.”

— Mike Potter
Owner @proximity_brewing

Pt 3.
Photographed + Interviewed by: Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof @shotbyjbot

Location: Proximity Brewing - Old East Durham.
491 S Driver St, Durham, NC