Keri Sullivan is the owner/operator of The Barrel Room in Plain Township, The Barrel Room on Canal in Canal Fulton, and the newly opened Sully’s Speakeasy cocktail bar in Canal Fulton.

She graduated from Canton McKinley High School and earned a criminal justice degree from Kent State University.

She is the mother of “four amazing boys. Zachary, Reese, Alexander and Pierce."

“I am also blessed with an extremely supportive significant other, Chris, and his two children Jackson and Raegan,” Sullivan said. “We recently rescued a Portuguese water dog puppy named Gracie.”

Sullivan started in the service industry at about age 14 and after taking a few other paths, she came back to a career that she felt she was really built to do ― become an entrepreneur and sole proprietress

“I worked at The Barrel Room for about two years as a server/bartender before purchasing it from the original owner in 2014. I made some improvements to an already solid location. Then I decided I wanted to branch off and start something completely from scratch. That journey led me to Canal Fulton. My father, Mark, has been a huge help at that location,” Sullivan said.

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What led to your interest in fine wines and craft beers?

I was always a wine lover, but craft beer was something I slowly studied and became an even bigger fan. I wasn’t really a beer drinker when I started at North Canton, but I never wanted to seem uninformed, so I slowly started experimenting with different beers and styles.

My love of craft beer, especially local craft, wins out over my love of wine. I also went on to become a certified bourbon steward. Bourbon is my second love after craft beer.

Your website mentions you work hard to foster an environment of community and generosity. Explain how you do that and why it is important to you.

We have worked hard to be a generous sponsor/supporter of all worthwhile community events and organizations. Whether it is local sports or nonprofits, we feel it’s important to give back to our communities.

We offer space to hold fundraisers of all shapes and sizes. I also personally (with the help of several friends) pick one charity each year and do a large fundraiser in the fall that has become known as “Sully’s Fall Kick Off.“

We have donated money to organizations like the Canton Ex-Newsboys (near and dear to my heart as they helped me as a child), breast cancer charities, veteran charities, Be a Better Me Foundation and this year it was “Light after Loss.” It’s become something that myself and my friends look forward to every year. It’s a great way to be active in the community while having a good time with friends watching football and catching up.

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What motivates you to work hard?

I would have to say my motivation to work hard definitely comes from a desire to take care of my children and show them that hard work can be extremely fulfilling.

I have told all my children on more than one occasion that it’s hard enough to go to work some days so it’s most important to do what you love or to find something where you feel you can make a difference in the world.

I also strive to create an environment so that my employees may have fun, make money and make connections.

Would you share a few tips for others who are thinking of starting a small business in Stark County?

The best advice I could give someone looking to open a business in Stark County is to lean on your counterparts.

I have come to live by the motto “collaboration over competition." There are so many great business owners with so much to offer here in the area. Reaching out to others for advice, a fresh perspective or a helping hand has gotten me further than I can explain. I talk to and collaborate with other business owners on a regular basis.

There are so many amazing women (and men) that I look up to In Stark County.

What makes you laugh the most?

Lots of things make me laugh.

But one of my biggest blessings is a circle of friends that can make me laugh until it hurts. I’m forever grateful for that. It’s gotten me through some pretty tough times.

I’ve also learned to laugh at myself. It was a long journey to get here but every step was beneficial.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Five questions with Keri Sullivan, owner of Barrel Room and Sully's