30 Apr Brewing a Business eBook
Posted at 12:41h in Blog
Integrating the Simulation from Day One:
Why Brewing a Business Was Designed to Do Just That
When Dr. Michael Levin set out to write Brewing a Business, he had a clear mission: to create a textbook with a purpose, a point of view, and most importantly, a natural fit with the BizCafe simulation.
As he put it in a recent conversation with us, “If you’re waiting until midway through the term to introduce the simulation, you’re going to be a little late. The earlier, the better.”
That simple insight shaped the structure of the eBook—and it’s one of the big reasons why instructors across the country have embraced it.
Textbook Meets Simulation—Right from Chapter One
Too often, instructors are handed a simulation and a textbook that don’t speak the same language. Michael had been there himself. As he recalled:
“I’ve had experiences where you try to match a textbook with the simulation and it’s not seamless. You end up cutting chapters, or adding so much supplemental material you wonder why you even assigned the textbook.”
Brewing a Business flips that script. From the very first chapter, students are introduced to the business they’ll be running. Assignments, activities, and ethical discussions are all intentionally designed to link back to the BizCafe experience. The eBook makes it easy to integrate the simulation—not as a bolt-on or an afterthought, but as a central learning vehicle.
A First-Year Business Book That Feels Like a Conversation
Michael also knew that many students using the book are in their first business class—some are even still deciding if business is right for them.
“I wanted the tone to be conversational. So it doesn’t feel like a dry textbook. I imagined a student asking questions—and even offering observations—as they read.”
That tone makes the content approachable, especially for students who are just starting to explore the world of business.
Built for the Way Instructors Really Teach
One of the things we’ve heard consistently from instructors is that this eBook meets them where they are. Whether you’re a first-time instructor handed the course last week—or a seasoned pro who wants to try a new approach—Brewing a Business is ready to go.
Michael kept this top of mind:
“I wanted to give the instructor something they could use immediately—something that would help them be a better teacher for the course. That’s what I mean by a textbook with a purpose.”
Real-World Relevance, Ethical Dilemmas, and Practical Tools
In addition to aligning tightly with BizCafe, each chapter includes discussion prompts, ethical dilemmas, mini-cases, and low-stakes assignments. These are flexible tools you can use in the classroom, online, or as part of a hybrid course. You’ll also find an appendix on personal finance, perfect for instructors who want to touch on budgeting, credit, or saving—topics that matter deeply to today’s students.
Final Thought: Get Students in Early—and Keep Them Engaged
If there’s one takeaway from Michael’s approach, it’s this: students learn better when they’re actively engaged from the start. That means integrating the simulation early. Giving students a sense of ownership. And helping them see how the textbook and the simulation work together to tell the story of running a business.
If you’re looking for a resource that supports that kind of experience, Brewing a Business was built with you—and your students—in mind.
Want to explore how to bring this eBook and simulation combo to your class?
Request a demo and we’ll walk you through it.
