The Road Not Taken

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
And sorry I could not travel both 
And be one traveller, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could 
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 
And having perhaps the better claim, 
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 
Though as for that the passing there 
Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 
In leaves, no step had trodden black. 
Oh, I kept the first for another day! 
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 
I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 
Somewhere ages and ages hence: 
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 
I took the one less travelled by, 
And that has made all the difference." 
-Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken 

In my story, the fork in the road came in the form of a letter from a lawyer. Dated April 9th, 2018, it read: "IN THE MATTER OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF DYNAMIC PROCESS SOLUTIONS INC."

For the first time in my career, I was laid off. I had been with Dynamic as their Lead Brewery Equipment Designer and Project Manager since we were quoting projects from my boss' basement. Over the years, I had helped nearly a dozen breweries in Ontario secure the equipment they needed to start brewing, bringing their visions to life. So, as my soon-to-be former co-workers and I shared a last pint at the shop while packing up, the question on everyone’s mind was clear: Now what?

I believe it’s the decisions you make when you have no time to make them that define who you are. At that moment, I knew there were people—breweries and beverage companies—who needed my expertise. Several projects were in mid-construction, with equipment pieces scattered across the globe: China, the U.S., and Canada. If these projects didn’t come together, those companies would face severe setbacks or even risk closing their doors. I’ve always admired the courage it takes to start a craft brewery or distillery, and I knew my skills in brewery design and project management could help.

So, with that in mind, on April 13th, 2018, I incorporated my own company, Gorman & Smith Beverage Equipment. I set out to help breweries and distilleries navigate the complexities of sourcing and installing the right equipment—ensuring their projects stayed on track and their businesses could open successfully. Whether it was designing custom brewhouses or managing the installation of tanks and systems, I knew I could provide value.

The lesson from Frost’s poem is clear: neither path is inherently right or wrong, and each road offers its own opportunities. The road I took led me to where I am today—helping breweries across Canada get the equipment they need to brew the perfect batch.

I hope you’ll join me for a little bit on my road taken.