Beer and Bread House
Using only a few local ingredients, Leaven
satisfies the heart, the head, and the soul.
Leaven Beer and Bread House
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Executive Summary
The Concept
Leaven is a sourdough bread bakery and craft beer pub located in the heart of Historic Somersworth.
Leaven will provide Somersworth and the surrounding area with a comfortable and inviting hangout serving the
highest quality beer and food.
The Situation
Somersworth and the surrounding area lack a strong bar scene, in many cases requiring residents to leave the city to
spend a night out or find a happening restaurant. Somersworth’s downtown has seen impressive growth in the last
couple years with an increase in small businesses moving into Somersworth and the GE factory turnaround. We can
both capitalize on as well as help stimulate this growth with Leaven. A destination business such as a craft beerfocused bakery and restaurant can help draw attention to Somersworth’s downtown and create an inviting and
exciting atmosphere.
Keys to Success
We have a small team with backgrounds in small business, financial management, event planning, and grassroots
marketing. However, in order to succeed we need the support of the entire community. Our foundation is in
Somersworth, having lived here over 20 years. We know many members of the community and are reaching out to
many more each day. We have begun a direct mailing campaign canvassing the immediate area around downtown
and plan to continue to reach out to all of Somersworth and neighboring communities. Our fundraising kick-off drew
in several new faces and raised around $5000 in one night all using $100, $200, and $500 contributions. We have
heard the response from our community and it has been one of overwhelming support for Leaven.
Financial Needs
While we have begun to see great interest in our voucher-based contribution method, we continue to seek out larger
capital resources. We are looking to raise around $25-30,000 through the sale of partial ownership in this business.
We have a strong forecast for returns for investors and this opportunity can both help grow a community as well as
your investment.
Leaven Beer and Bread House
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Our Products
Sourdough Bread
The appeal to Sourdough is its timeless simplicity. Using only flour and water, it forms the basis for a wide variety of
breads and baked goods. By feeding the yeast that thrives on wheat stalk, the fermentation process gives way to a
bubbly, aromatic culture. Over time, the naturally occurring yeast in the environment replaces the active yeast in the
ferment to make it a truly local phenomenon.
Sourdough bread has seen a growing market especially among ‘foodie’ culture. The seacoast region of New
Hampshire is currently underserved in this market. Only a handful of Sourdough bakeries currently exist within a
large radius, while many of them focus on large-scale commercial output emphasizing quantity rather than quality.
Age-old recipes combined with culinary craftsmanship yield a product that has been the staple of European and
American food markets for centuries. With our own aged starter and creative approach to bread making, we look
forward to providing something definitively ‘Somersworth’s Own.’
Craft Beer
Craft beer focuses on quality. With smaller production than major distributors, craft brewers are able to give more
attention to their products and constantly create new and exciting tastes.
Craft beer selections in bars and restaurants have been a growing trend in recent years as more and more patrons
are asking for more exotic or locally brewed beers. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in New England. The New
England ‘Commercial Beers’ such as Sam Adams, Red Hook, Smuttynose, Shipyard, and Harpoon have all become
must-haves in bars throughout the Northeast. On top of those, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts
all have hundreds of independent brewers with a passion for unique and quality beer. The people in this part of the
country have an unrivaled passion for good beer and this has created a wonderful economic opportunity for the
whole region.
It’s not only the public of New Hampshire who support beer. Governor Lynch is an outspoken supporter of the craft
beer industry and has signed into legislation several laws that helped broaden the beer and bar landscape in the
State. Those laws include broadening the types of ingredients brewers are allowed to use as well as sanctioning bars
to have happy hours as well as advertise them outside the bar. Both laws are intended to bring both creativity and
economic prosperity to the industry.
Leaven Beer and Bread House
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Management Team
Emmett Soldati
After graduating with a Masters degree from the London School of Economics, Emmett Soldati returned to his
hometown to exhibit his entrepreneurial ambitions. Launching a rigorous community-funding campaign, Soldati
opened Teatotaller Tea House in the historic district of Somersworth. Combining his passion for baking, sharp
marketing skills, and keen business sense, Soldati helped drive traffic to a neglected part of town. He is also the
chair of the board of the Friends of Somersworth Inc., a local non-profit tasked with transforming an historic city
building into an Arts and Culture center. He looks forward to bringing his love of sourdough bread to this unique new
business.
Patrick Jackman
With five years of experience consulting on start-up businesses and 2 years working in corporate finance, Patrick
Jackman brings his business savvy to the Leaven team. Working for John Hancock, Staples Corporate, JP Morgan
Chase and Citigroup, Jackman knows big business. Starting his own consulting firm, he helped small businesses
keep their costs low, spread their word, raise capital, and maximize their profits. Returning to Somersworth a year
ago, Jackman sees potential for strong commercial growth in the historic downtown and is excited to take part in it.
Aidan Watson
A Graduate from Lasell College with a degree in Hospitality and Event management, Aidan Watson has worked the
food service industry for over seven years with experience ranging from management to bartending and cooking.
Watson has a passion for craft beer and a deep love of Somersworth. With high hopes and strong determination he
is bringing his talents to Leaven Beer and Bread House.
Emmett Soldati Patrick Jackman Aidan W atson Leaven Beer and Bread House
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Closing Notes
To Our Potential Investors
We appreciate your consideration and your time and hope that what we’ve included in this document shows you that
Leaven Beer and Bread House is a quality investment both as a financial interest but also, for those of you in
Somersworth, a community interest.
We hope you choose to become involved in Leaven Beer and Bread House and share our passion for quality and our
continued pursuit in bringing craft beer and artisan breads to Southern NH.
-The Leaven Team
For more information, please contact us at:
[email protected]