From Pastor to Distiller: Matt Estrin on Entrepreneurship, 477 & Greeley | Ep. 2

What happens when a music pastor follows an entrepreneurial itch into the world of craft spirits? In Episode 2 of Finding Common Ground, Greeley Area Chamber Executive Vice President Heather Anderson sits down with Matt Estrin, owner of 477 Distilling and Oak & Maple, for a candid conversation about reinvention, calculated risk and building businesses rooted in community. Matt shares the winding path that took him from Southern California to golf camps and professional-tour chaplaincy, then into 15 years of ministry before he began distilling in his garage. He explains how a family inheritance gave him and his wife room to dream, why he enrolled at Moonshine University and how that leap eventually became 477 Distilling. The conversation also explores the Greeley history behind the name 477, the family story that inspired Oak & Maple, what entrepreneurs can learn from a rising-tide mindset and why Matt believes Chamber involvement is one of the best investments a local business can make. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and introduction 01:43 From Southern California to professional golf 04:08 Fifteen years in music ministry 05:57 The entrepreneurial itch and the road to distilling 08:28 Learning the craft at Moonshine University 10:04 Collaboration and “rising tides lift all ships” 11:24 The Greeley story behind the name 477 14:29 Building a spirits lineup and experimenting with flavor 18:57 Expanding to Loveland and solving the food question 20:31 Why waffles—and how Oak & Maple was born 23:06 Matt’s next chapter and I Know the Owner 25:53 Why the Chamber matters to local business 29:29 Serving on boards for the right reasons 30:36 How Chamber policy advocacy protects businesses 31:44 Greeley Eats and the local hospitality scene 34:07 Closing thoughts Guest: Matt Estrin, owner of 477 Distilling and Oak & Maple Host: Heather Anderson, Executive Vice President, Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce Show: Finding Common Ground Learn more: Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce: https://www.greeleychamber.com/ 477 Distilling: https://477distilling.com/ #FindingCommonGround #GreeleyColorado #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #477Distilling #OakAndMaple #GreeleyChamber