Meet Meagan McComber | Aesthetician & Bar Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meagan McComber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meagan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For me, it really came down to long-term goals and timing. My husband Derek is a bit older than me, and we’ve always talked about retiring around the same time so we can truly enjoy that chapter of life together. He already had solid retirement options lined up, but as someone who’s self-employed, I knew I needed to be more proactive to get myself in a strong position for early retirement too.

Starting Hammerin’ Hank’s felt like the perfect opportunity to not only do something I’m passionate about, but also build something that could grow into a solid financial foundation. It gave me a chance to take control of my future, invest in our community, and create something meaningful — while also setting myself up to reach those retirement goals alongside him.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hammerin’ Hank’s is more than just a small town-bar — it’s a place where community, fun, nostalgia, and great drinks all come together. We like to say we’re a small-town bar with a big personality. Whether it’s our themed events, creative cocktails, throwback vibes, or our dog and mascot “Hank” who’s become a bit of a local celebrity. We’ve really worked hard to create something that feels different — a place people are excited to walk into.

What sets us apart is that we truly care about every detail — the music, the atmosphere, the drinks, the staff — it all matters to us because we know that it matters to our customers. We’ve put a lot of heart into building something that feels welcoming, lively, and memorable.

Getting to this point definitely hasn’t been easy. Starting a business from scratch is always a leap of faith, and we’ve faced our fair share of challenges — from navigating licensure and construction delays, to hiring the right staff that fit our goals and visions. But each challenge has taught us something important: to be flexible, to lean on each other, and to never underestimate the power of showing up every single day, and just doing the work. We like to call it a true “labor of love.”

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is to listen — to our customers, our team, and our own instincts. That feedback has helped us grow, adapt, and keep improving. And we’re still learning all the time.

What we want the world to know is that Hammerin’ Hank’s is built on passion, teamwork, and a whole lot of love for this community. We’re proud of how far we’ve come — and we’re just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d start at Hammerin’ Hank’s, of course — with one of our signature cocktails or a cold draft beer in a frosted mug to set the tone.

Head into Clare sometime for coffee and pastries at Cops & Doughnuts — a must for first-timers. Some small-town fun and food at Herrick House (great food whilst being cute and boutique, fits the area perfectly) and Whitehouse (best burgers ever!) Dinner and drinks at Ruckle’s Pier or The Evening Post (they always have a fun crowd and great energy), and maybe catch some live music if it’s happening.

Depending on the season, we’d hit up whatever local festival is happening — the Farwell Lumberjack Festival, Clare Irish Festival, or a car show. If not, Jay’s Sporting Goods or a trip to the Yoder’s Amish Market is always fun and unique.

Sleep in, grab brunch, shop local at small businesses around town, Almost Up North is a must! (Shoutout to my sister in law Shelby Douglas for also being an empowered small business owner!) Hit up the Soda Lounge (new to Farwell but booming! a fun twist on ice cream and “dirty sodas.”) Also have a relaxed evening with takeout pizza from Bucilli’s and then probably back at Hank’s because let’s be honest, we always end up there.

Weekends are always a good idea to catch mimosas and Bloody Marys at Hank’s, a walk through downtown Clare or Farwell, and maybe a hot dog on the roller if it’s Tigers game day. Then lots of laughs, hugs, and promises to come back soon.

There are so many interesting and welcoming people in this community — from fellow bar owners to shopkeepers to customers who turn into friends. That’s what makes this area special. It’s not just the places — it’s the people. And I’d want my best friend to feel that warmth every day they were here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are definitely a few shoutouts I need to give, because no success story is ever truly solo — and ours is no exception.

First and foremost, my husband Derek — who’s also my business partner and co-owner of Hammerin’ Hank’s. We’re in this together, every step of the way. From the vision to the sweat equity, to the big decisions and late-night cleanups — we’re a team. His support, encouragement, and work ethic have been huge, and I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

I also owe a lot to my years of bar management experience in South Florida. That time really gave me a deep understanding of the industry, from operations to customer experience, and it gave me the confidence to step into ownership. It was like real-world training that helped set us up for success — and gave me a clear sense of what kind of bar culture I wanted to create here.

And of course, our community deserves a massive shoutout. From day one, the support we’ve felt from locals, friends, and fellow small business owners has been incredible. There’s a strong sense of connection here, and we’re so grateful to be a part of it.

Website: https://www.hammerinhanks.com

Facebook: @hammerinhanks

Image Credits
images taken personally