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Jess Loseke, Co-Founder & CEO of Midwest Barrel Co., holds the trophy presented to her for being named Pipeline Entrepreneurs' Innovator of the Year.

A year-long journey of professional and personal growth wrapped up in monumental fashion last month for Jess Loseke, Co-Founder & CEO of Midwest Barrel Co.

On June 15, at the Pipeline Entrepreneurs Annual Innovators Gala in Kansas city, Jess was named 2022 Innovator of the Year!

The prestigious award is given annually to one entrepreneur following the completion of a year-long Pipeline Fellowship. Jess was one of 13 Midwest entrepreneurs selected last year as a fellow for the Class of 2022.

“When I applied for Pipeline, I didn’t know a single soul, personally, who had gone through the program,” Jess said in a speech at the Gala. “But I knew that Pipeline represented innovation and that’s where I wanted to be.”

Jess has always been the driving force behind Midwest Barrel Co.’s innovation, specifically in ecommerce and digital marketing. Her vision and commitment to execution has placed the company ahead of the pack in making barrel buying an easy, headache-free experience for barrel-aging and BBQ smoking wood customers.

Innovator of the Year is fitting considering Jess’s role in the company’s rapid growth. In fact, it was during the fellowship that Midwest Barrel Co. was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing, privately owned companies in the U.S.

However, as Pipeline is more about a leader’s personal growth, it was Jess’s dedication and performance throughout the fellowship that landed her the prestigious award.

The award is given annually to the Pipeline Fellow with the best showing in three key areas of the Pipeline Fellowship: performance throughout the year, business plan score and Innovators Daytime Pitch Showcase score.

Jess won the pitch competition earlier this year. To do so, she made a hypothetical pitch to a panel of “investors” judging each competing fellow’s pitch.

Last month’s celebration was the shining moment that capped off a year of deep dives into Midwest Barrel Co. as a business and Jess’s own journey as an entrepreneur and business leader.

After all, that’s what Pipeline is all about as an organization. It’s a network of the Midwest’s top entrepreneurs. What starts as a fellowship – which entrepreneurs must apply to be accepted into – blossoms into an ongoing resource for those who have been part of Pipeline.

The fellows and members push each other to grow, not only during the fellowship, but also after they have completed the program.

“Pipeline represents a culture of innovation, fresh ideas and people that step outside the boundaries,” Jess said. “And I feel so honored to be among other leaders and entrepreneurs who are willing to do that.”

But just as Jess’s Pipeline experience is only beginning, so too is her determination to innovate in the barrel-aged beer and spirits space – and place Midwest Barrel Co. at the forefront.

Stay tuned!