The Art of Invention: A Spirited Perspective

Manjit Minhas is an award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder of one of the top 10 largest breweries globally, with over $220 million in annual revenue. As a star investor on CBC's Dragons' Den, she has backed dozens of businesses across various industries.

Invention Begins with Observation

As I often say, “When you need something yourself and don’t see it available, that often is how the greatest things are invented.”

When I was 19, I sold my car to fund my first entrepreneurial venture: Mountain Crest Spirits. People often ask me, “Why alcohol?” The answer lies in observation. Growing up, I worked at my father’s liquor store and noticed gaps in the market—first, some bars and restaurants were paying a lot for name brand products that were being served to a clientele that wasn’t necessarily concerned with brand names. Then later we also realized there was no quality beer at a price point accessible to college students like ourselves. That void became my opportunity. Invention, I’ve learned, starts with paying attention to unmet needs.

My parents’ journey taught me to watch closely and act boldly. After my dad was laid off from his oil industry job in 1993, my parents opened their own liquor store, showing me that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s sometimes necessary. Alberta had just opened the liquor market to private ownership and even though there was a land rush of large companies with deep pockets staking claims in the market, my parents carved a niche with outstanding service and savvy marketing. Their hustle planted a seed in me: entrepreneurship isn’t about waiting for perfection, but about seeing potential where others see problems.

Failure is a Compass, Not a Roadblock

Invention demands resilience. For every successful product we’ve launched, four have failed. Early on, our attempt to break into the Ontario market was a costly disaster. But failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the process. “We’re never discouraged because we’re always looking for the one that makes it,” I remind my team. Thomas Edison once said “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work” before patenting the light bulb. Similarly, each misstep taught us how to pivot, refine, and try again.

That Ontario failure? We regrouped, shifted strategies, and found success elsewhere. Invention isn’t linear. It’s a messy, iterative dance between vision and adaptation.

Adaptability: The Blueprint for Survival

A rigid plan is a recipe for stagnation. Early in my career, I learned to “have a plan even though it’ll change 100%. The plan can change, but not the goal.” Markets shift. Consumer tastes evolve. When challenges arise—whether supply chain snags or shifting regulations—we ask, “What needs to happen?” Then we strategize, adjust, and keep moving.

This flexibility extends to leadership. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, not drain you. My brother Ravinder, my business partner, and our team are my sounding boards. Invention thrives in collaborative environments where diverse perspectives collide.

Community is the Foundation

No one invents in a vacuum. My parents, mentors, and even critics have shaped my journey. My mother’s patience balances my relentless drive, proving that leadership isn’t about going solo—it’s about leaning on others. “I am grateful toward my team members because I am not the one who does it all,” I often say.

To aspiring inventors, especially women, build your team, find mentors who’ve forged their own paths, and lift others as you climb. “Apologize less and demand more,” I advise. When sexism or self- doubt creeps in, remember, you belong at the table.

Start Before You’re “Ready”

The biggest myth about invention? That you need all the answers upfront. My advice? Start. You only know if it’s right or wrong once you start. Research and planning matter, but paralysis kills momentum. At 19, I didn’t have an MBA or industry connections—just a used car and a belief that we could fill a gap.

Ask questions. Attend conferences. Listen. And when fear whispers, “You’re not ready,” push past it. As I told a room of young entrepreneurs recently, “The only validation you need is your own.”

“Invention, I’ve learned, starts with paying attention to unmet needs.”

Invention is a Legacy of Courage

Today, Minhas Breweries boasts over 100 successful products. But the truest measure of invention isn’t revenue—it’s impact. Every time a woman tells me, “Your story made me launch my own business,” I’m reminded why we do this.

Invention isn’t just about creating products. It’s about rewriting narratives, challenging norms, and proving that resilience outlasts rejection. So, to anyone sitting on an idea: Observe the gaps. Embrace the stumbles. Gather your squad. And start.

As I’ve learned, the art of invention isn’t in the what—it’s in the why and the how. And that’s a journey worth taking.