Harvard in the House

by Kevin Fritz

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s an age-old question that usually elicits the same set of equally age-old answers. But one homegrown Harvard graduate wants to show students at Lake Mary High School there are many different money-making options in the modern world.

Jason Sherman (LMHS Class of 2006) is a Harvard-trained entrepreneur and founder of TapRm, an online beer and beverage home-delivery service, and he is organizing a series of after-school workshops to educate students about what it takes to start, grow, and/or manage different types of businesses.

“I have always wanted to come back home and help push people in the right direction,” says Jason, 35, a former attorney for Anheuser-Busch InBev. “I think there is a lack of knowledge about career options for students. When I was in high school, I had no insight that there were jobs out there that could become great money-making careers.”

Jason, who now resides in Longwood with his wife, Maisie, says the idea is to show students different paths they can take after college. Instead of simply becoming a banker, for example, he wants them to understand some of the associated options, like managing a hedge fund.

“I want to show them non-traditional careers,” he explains.

The series kicked off with discussions by Jason on law, business, and entrepreneurship followed by a slate of speakers with diverse employment perspectives. A guest representing the finance industry will talk about hedge funds and private equity. A marketing professional with a Fortune 500 company plans to explain how the job is more about data and analytics than creativity. A member of Congress will cover the art of fundraising.

“I also want them to understand the paths they can take to get these jobs,” Jason adds.

Dr. Mickey Reynolds, LMHS principal, says the series began in January and will run for about six weeks. The micro-curriculum will be held after school, and each session is open to 20-25 students.

“I find it cool that a Lake Mary grad comes back to town and asks me how he can give back to the school,” says Mickey.  “He wants to open students’ eyes to the possibilities that are out there. I am excited to see how Jason interacts with the students.”

When Mickey floated Jason’s idea before a group of upperclassmen, the students showed their enthusiasm in an overwhelming show of hands.

“They want to hear from people who are successful and doing good things,” Mickey adds.

From Boston and Back

Originally from Boston, Jason’s family moved to Lake Mary when he was six years old. His father was an entrepreneur, as well, owning a small therapist practice in Lake Mary for 30 years.

Jason attended Hebrew Day School (now Jewish Academy of Orlando), then Rock Lake Middle School, before graduating from LMHS. He returned to Massachusetts and attended Harvard University where he earned his undergraduate degree prior to graduating from Harvard Law School in 2013.

Jason stayed up North and worked for a law firm in Manhattan, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, one of which was the beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev buying SABMiller to expand its footprint.

“That was my first foray into the world of beer,” says Jason.

InBev eventually hired Jason to run its global incubator and venture capital team – and Jason’s knowledge of the beer industry grew, as did its intrigue. He learned that what stands in the way of success for many beer producers, especially the craft brewers, is the prohibition against shipping beer directly to consumers. Brewers, instead, must go through wholesalers and retailers.

“The United States is the most regulated nation in the world for beer producers,” Jason explains. “So I combined all of the moving parts into a multitiered software solution in which wholesalers, retailers, and beer stores all get a piece of the action.”

The result is TapRm, which Jason founded three years ago. It offers small beverage brands an opportunity to reach consumers, bars, and restaurants through an online presence. TapRm builds websites for its customers and assists in delivering the product. By the end of 2021, TapRm had expanded into 40 cities. Last year, the business ranked 108th on Inc. magazine’s list of the 5,000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.

“My background as a lawyer allowed me to piece this venture together,” Jason says. “That’s the kind of thing I want the students to learn.”