General Manager Buyer

SUMMARY

Wine & Spirits professional with a history of opening successful restaurants, specialty food markets and wine & spirits stores. Leader, business manager, entrepreneur, educator and mentor. Experienced in operations, business development, hospitality, growth directives and business management. Successfully grew six NYC and Brooklyn based businesses grossing $10m+ per year through 2004-2022. Expertise in renovations and oversight of buildouts, design and operations development while managing 60+ employees through a multitude of departments and responsibilities. Mentor, and coach providing the necessary experience for a productive culture of work ethic.

PROFICIENCIES

Startup Business Conception Business Modeling Strategic Planning Project Management Operations Development Employee Education Mentoring Performance Metrics Guest/Customer Experience Budget Administration Revenue Projections Cost Controls Payroll Forecasting Sales & Marketing Public Relations Purchasing Event Planning & Execution Hospitality Leadership Food & Beverage Operations Safety Protocols Menu Development Wine List Curation Inventory Management Wine, Spirits & Specialty Foods Education Incentivizing Programming EXPERIENCE

THE ATLANTIC BKLN Music Venue and Bar 2020 – 20220 333 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Talent Buyer, General Manager

• Recruited to create and develop a new 200 capacity music venue specializing in Jazz and Folk during a pandemic.

• Created and developed a new music venue hosting famed artists and private events.

• Adapted food and beverage menus including cocktails, 100 bottle all sparkling wine program and small plates menu. BACK LABEL WINE MERCHANTS & STINKY BKLYN SPECIALTY FOODS 2013 – 201*-***-*** West 20th Street, NYC

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Buyer, General Manager

• Grew revenue to 3.5m per year including 30% growth per year for first 4 years. Managed staff of 20.

• Rated one of the top 3 wine shops in Manhattan within the first 6 months by Thirstynyc.com.

• Drove PR being highlighted in many publications including the NY Times by Eric Asimov; “How to Choose a Wine Shop”.

• Known amongst top NYC sommeliers as one of the best bottle shops in NYC.

• Grew portfolio with over 1000 successful products including extensive selection of NY state wines, spirits and ciders. FINE COOKING MAGAZINE 2010 – 2015

Wine Writer, Contributing Wine & Spirits Editor

• In charge of all wine/spirits editorial content for the magazine and online app increasing readership every issue.

• Pairing suggestions and descriptions for over 30 high profile celebrity chef recipes per issue.

• Connected American & European wineries with a national publication boosting advertising revenue for the publication. HOPS & HOCKS CRAFT BEER & SPECIALTY FOODS 2013 – 2018 2 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn

Director of Operations, Consultant, Partner

• Brought in to open a specialty foods store with over 1000 products and was made partner within first 6 months.

• Managed, trained and purchased portfolio with over 1000 products specializing in craft beer & specialty foods.

• Rated the #1 bottle shop in Brooklyn for its craft beer selection by Foursquare within 1st year.

• Managed and educated staff of 15 with hospitality directives and sales goals to drive revenues over $1 million per year BROOKLYN WINE EXCHANGE WINE & SPIRITS, BROOKLYN 2009 – 2013 138 Court Street, Brooklyn

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Buyer, Lead Educator, General Manager

• Successfully opened and grew within first 3 years business to $3.6m per year next door to Trader Joes flagship Brooklyn location.

• Mentored over 20 employees with successful sales goals and achievements and a focus on agriculture and wine education.

• Lead educator for a 40-seat tasting room, conducted 100’s of classes in the private event space to promote brands/drive sales.

• Created all start-up operations, business development POS set up and construction oversight. PATRICK WATSON

Brooklyn, NY *********@*****.*** 917-***-**** THE JAKEWALK CRAFT COCKTAIL AND WINE BAR 2007 – 2017 282 Smith Street, Brooklyn

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Buyer

• Opened, managed and executed all operations for 900 square foot, 60 seat craft cocktail bar.

• Grew business to $1m per year average with 15 employees. STINKY BKLYN CHEESE & SPECIALTY FOODS 2005 – 2020

215 Smith Street, Brooklyn

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Buyer

• Known as the best cheese shop in Brooklyn for over 15 years.

• Finalist in Food Networks “Guys Grocery Games” Season 17 Episode 3

• Featured in the NY Times, CNN, NPR, Food & Wine Magazine, Edible Magazine, Time Out Magazine, NY Magazine

• Grew and maintained business to $1.5m annually with a strong commitment to locally made provisions.

• Test kitchen providing a public platform for launching brands that are now sold nationally.

• Created wholesale division adding 35% additional revenue to business. SMITH & VINE WINE & SPIRITS 2004 – Present

315 Smith Street, Brooklyn

Proprietor, Director of Operations, Buyer

• Opened 1000 square foot wine & spirits shop continuously voted in top 10 wine shops in NYC by NY Magazine, Time Out Magazine, CBS Local & Grub Street.

• Achieved a 30% average growth per year for first 6 years now averaging 2.5m per year with a team of 10.

• Recognized as the new generation of wine and liquor stores with sommelier focused selections, hospitality, and education at the forefront of customer relations.

• Consulted European wineries on American market trends throughout the exploding wine boom over the last 18 years.

• Helped wineries create popular blends, and marketing plans to better educate and place products in the NYC marketplace.

• Assisted American importers achieve top sell through commitments from vintage to vintage and develop brand awareness locally. WINEBID.COM ONLINE WINE AUCTIONS 2001 – 2005

755 Skyway CT, Napa, California

East Coast Accounts Director

• Successfully managed a weekly average of 75 East Coast accounts from Florida to Maine facilitating consignments for private and commercial clients.

• Directed all appraisals, cellar acquisitions, inventory and out-reach to potential clients facilitating auction goals and requirements.

• Represented East Coast division averaging $350k-$500k in weekly inventory with over $150k in weekly sales. EDUCATION

McGill University Montreal, Quebec

• BA Voice and Classical Music Studies.

• Performed regularly at McGill and later across the United States for many years including performances at the Metropolitan Opera with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, Lincoln Center and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. New School of Dramatic Arts Boston, MA

• Certificate in Classical Performance of Dramatic Arts MEMBERSHIPS & BOARDS

COURT & SMITH STREETS B.I.D. (Business Improvement District) 2009 – Present Chairman of Steering Committee

• Founding member and elected Chair of the Steering Committee to put forth a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

• Garnished leadership and financial support by local leaders including city councilman Brad Lander, Brooklyn Borough Presidents Marty Markowitz & Eric Adams, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Department of Small Business Services, and local district assembly-people.

NEW YORK WINE & GRAPE FOUNDATION 2014 – 2017

Board of Directors, Member

• Running Public Relation events for the NY Wine industry engaging consumer-ship to higher-than-expected levels.

• Conducted hundreds of education wine & spirits seminars on NY State agriculture and viticulture.

• Lead taster and judge for the annual NY Classic Wine & Cider Competition.

• Contributed to the $6.65 Billion NY Wine industry with tourist visitations, education, and outreach.

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