By Jim Carchidi
March 18, 2026
Shara Pathak has a habit of building business out of a sense of community. She founded TapNGo and Brewlando with the intent of helping fellow entrepreneurs, despite having little experience in the respective industries.
“My journey is not just about success,” she told The Orlando Real. “I always try to identify the places where I can be instrumental in positive change.”
Family business and beyond
TapNGo began with a need to find a software developer to create the RFID components for Price Chopper Wristbands. Image courtesy of TapNGo
Pathak grew up in her family’s business, Price Chopper Wristbands, while attending the University of Central Florida. She graduated in 2004 with a degree in marketing and took on the role of president. A path to diversifying the company – which had solely been on the manufacturing side of RFID wristbands – opened when its software partner lost funding.
“I was taking a dive into a space that I had literally zero experience with,” she said. “But when things flow, you need to flow with them.”
She reached out to developers who had worked with the company, hiring them as contractors and integrating the software element needed to bring every Price Chopper component in house. The move laid the foundation for TapNGo and widened the opportunities for diversification by allowing for the development of customized platforms. Innovations included cashless transactions for carnival midway ticketing and payment, and authentication systems for accessing healthcare records.
Brewing new opportunities
Shara Pathak turned a real estate investment into one of Central Florida's most popular breweries. Image courtesy of Brewlando
Pathak's introduction to the local brewing community began with a real estate venture. Soon after launching TapNGo, she acquired the building at 6820 Hoffner Ave., which housed Castle Church Brewing. The fallout from the COVID pandemic had hit less than two years after the business opened and proved to be too much to financially withstand.
“In December of 2021, two weeks before Christmas, the staff had contacted me, obviously very concerned and worried about what to do.”
While the brewery was not tied to her businesses, the déjá vu of seeing another company at a crossroads and having the resources to help did not escape her. She offered to help keep the doors open and the lights on until a more permanent solution was found.
“The software side of the business was just starting to take off and I just didn't have the time or the knowledge and expertise to take over,” she said.
Potential parent companies were contacted through family connections but none were the right fit. However, the interview process put Pathtak in touch with James Webb, a brewing industry veteran with a resume that includes executive positions at Carib Brewery USA and DG Yuengling and Sons.
“I've learned so much from his leadership,” Pathak said. “As a president and the owner of my own businesses, I don't often get the time to learn from other people, it's mostly the other way around. But working with James has really given me a lot as an executive, as a leader, as a human being.”
The Brewlando expansion includes locations at ICON Park and Sanford. Images courtesy of Brewlando
Brewlando took over where Castle Church left off, retaining all staff members and brewers. Expansion happened fast with the opening of Brewlando’s ICON Park winery and tasting room in 2024. That same year, Pathak acquired Sanford Brewing Co. as it was preparing to close under the weight of the post-Covid economy. As with the first Brewlando location, staff and standards were retained.
The brand serves a rotating selection of more than 20 in-house craft beers between all of its taprooms with an extensive wine selection at ICON Park. Food menus differ at each location and include burgers, wings, sandwiches and flatbreads with Sunday brunch served at the Maitland and Sanford locations.
In May 2025, Pathak’s brewery path brought her full circle when Brewlando was named the official craft beer of UCF Athletics. “I went to UCF so that partnership is so special to me,” she said.
What's next
As for future plans, Pathak is focusing on broadening Brewlando's portfolio with non-alcoholic and gluten free beers and a wine label.
“We all essentially become masters of everything that we create,” she said. “It's amazing what you can do if you have the guts and the courage to take that first step.”
TEDxOrlando announced Pathak as a sponsor of its Oct. 17 event at Orange County Convention Center's Linda W. Chapin Theater. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience both brands during and after the event.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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