WPCC Graduate Turns Business Education Into Entrepreneurial Success

A graduate of the business program at Western Piedmont Community College is now a successful entrepreneur who owns two companies.

Brian Garrison grew up in Morganton. He graduated from Freedom High School in 1991 and earned an Associate of Arts in Business from WPCC in 1993.

“My education at WPCC strengthened my foundational values,” Garrison said. “I realized the significance of consistency, developing good habits, meeting deadlines, working in small groups and learning to pivot or adapt to challenging assignments. I was challenged to think outside the box, to understand how important servanthood truly is, why relationships matter and that giving back in your community is vital and impactful.”

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Appalachian State University in 1995. When he graduated, he was accepted into Lowe’s Home Improvement’s Management Development Program.

“This was designed for motivated individuals who expressed a strong desire and skillset to learn how to manage and lead every department within the organization,” Garrison said.

He spent the next year learning how to operate a cash register, make keys, mix and match paint, cut lumber, take inventory, oversee shipping and receiving and much more. The reward for completing this on-the-job training was an invitation to accept a leadership role in the store. He worked as a department manager for Lowe’s for the next few years, until Alan Lail, a manager with Farm Bureau Insurance Agency, spoke to him about a career in the insurance industry.

“The opportunity to earn a good living while making a meaningful impact on people’s lives really spoke to me,” Garrison said.

He passed his exams and received his license to sell insurance in 1999. For the next 20 years, he served clients in Farm Bureau’s Hickory office.

“One of the most impactful, deeply emotional responsibilities I had was delivering a life insurance check to a spouse or family member who had just lost a loved one,” Garrison said.  

In 2020, he decided to follow his entrepreneurial passions and founded an insurance consulting firm called On Point Collective. The company provides insurance solutions for business owners, churches, nonprofits, colleges/universities, sports teams, hospitals and a host of other organizations.

“I saw value in clients seeking a true, customizable insurance consultation,” Garrison said. “Many individuals and business owners want a clearer understanding of their coverage options, know what’s excluded, how to reduce liability exposure, while not feeling pressure to buy a policy or increase coverage.”

He shared that the process of going into business for himself involved a steep learning curve.

“You’re never fully prepared to start your own business,” Garrison said. “I knew there would be incredible challenges. I chose courage over certainty and understood that failure tasted better than regret.”

He focused on building relationships in the community and adding value.

“I developed a series of educational workshops, and some of my earliest clients became community colleges within North Carolina, working closely with each Small Business Center director,” Garrison said. “These workshops would continue to serve me well in the community college system, as well as serving the business students at Lenoir-Rhyne University.”

In 2024, he met a former Marine named Caleb Drown, who was in the process of creating a craft non-alcoholic beverage brewing company. He was so intrigued by the project he joined Drown and became a co-founder in the venture, called Bright Barrel.

“Both of us had seen others really struggle with alcohol addiction and an unhealthy lifestyle, which can lead to long-lasting consequences,” Garrison said. “We took on the mission to develop exceptional, local, craft non-alcoholic brews that would honor the wonder, grit and pride of the Appalachian region.”

The experience of launching Bright Barrel has taught him even more entrepreneurial lessons.

“I’ve learned that purpose sells more than polish,” Garrison said. “The mission opens doors, but consistency keeps them open. Progress beats perfection – launch, listen, adjust.”

Both businesses are thriving.

“On Point Collective has grown into a team of experienced operators and consultants who listen first, then build smart, custom solutions to real business challenges—from insurance and systems to tech and growth,” Garrison said.

Bright Barrel recently partnered with Freedom Beverage to handle their product distribution.

“This will allow us to expand access to better choices, one community at a time,” Garrison said. “We are currently working with the Appalachian State Fermentation team to develop a gluten free non-alcoholic beer, which is going to be absolutely delicious and provide a lot of health benefits.” 

He’s taken time out from running two successful businesses to volunteer for a cause close to his heart, Walk to End Alzheimer’s. He currently serves as the executive chair of the Unifour/Western Carolina chapter of the organization.

“My mom battled Alzheimer’s, and loving her through that journey pulled me into the fight, for her, for our family and for everyone facing this disease,” Garrison said. “Serving on the leadership team has been humbling and rewarding. We walked with purpose and together raised more money than ever before in the Unifour Walk’s history.”

He also volunteers with the Bears Leadership Academy for student athletes at LRU and teaches insurance literacy to students in the GEAR UP program, a federally-funded initiative designed to prepare underserved student populations to pursue post-secondary education.

Garrison reflected fondly on his time at WPCC and recommended it for those starting on their career journeys.

“WPCC gives you a huge advantage, with smaller classes, more hands-on learning and the chance to master skilled trades or prepare for transfer,” he said. “It’s personal, practical and sets you up for real success.”

Published: 02/10/2026