The Alexi Cashen Podcast

James Miles is the Chairman, Managing Director, and Co-founder of Liv-ex, the leading marketplace and data source for secondary sales of fine wine. Liv-ex has a membership that spans across 560 wine companies from 43 countries. Members can trade confidently and anonymously with other wine businesses worldwide. James attended Harris Manchester College in the UK, and in 1991 he started his career with Jardine Fleming Investment Management in Hong Kong (which later became Banque Paribas and then BNP Paribas). He is also the Director of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. In this episode… Do you struggle with juggling logistics, buying, and selling in the wine industry? Are you a wine brand looking for a worldwide marketplace to connect with consumers? Engaging with consumers through the three-tier system can be complicated. It can be difficult for many brands and individuals to analyze, visualize, and trust that you're working with tried and trusted merchants. That's why James Miles curated the Liv-ex platform that created a comprehensive database of brands and their products to reach and engage consumers through wine. In fact, they are the world's largest open-sourced database of wine information. Want to learn more? Listen to this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi sits down with James Miles, Chairman, Managing Director, and Co-founder of Liv-ex. Hear his narration of launching an online stock exchange for wine. James talks about solving consumer problems in real-time, how to unclog the supply chain issues of shipping overseas, and how a platform can connect and educate consumers on brand behavior.

Sarah Shadonix is the Founder and CEO of Scout & Cellar, a Clean-Crafted™, woman-founded and led winery that has created a higher standard for how wine is made by creating a more authentic, sustainable, and delicious approach to the wine-making process. After several years of practicing commercial litigation, Sarah decided to pursue her passion for wine instead. In 2014, she earned her Advanced Certificate from the Wines & Spirit Education Trust and became a Certified Specialist of Wine. Armed with both passion and extensive knowledge, Sarah began working in the wine industry in California, curating wine offerings for online retailers, honing the skills to help contribute to the success of Scout & Cellar. In this episode… Creating an authentic wine brand starts in the vineyard. So, how can you craft exceptional wines for a satisfying customer experience?  Sarah Shadonix is pioneering a community of like-minded wine enthusiasts dedicated to crafting wines without the use of pesticides, artificial ingredients, or added sugar. From grape to bottle, Sarah is committed to delivering a Clean-Crafted™ wine focused on sustainability. Today, Sarah shares how you can deliver environmentally-friendly wines for the consumer.  In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi sits down with Sarah Shadonix, Founder and CEO of Scout & Cellar, to discuss delivering a quality product through authenticity and transparency. Sarah shares the story behind launching an e-commerce wine brand, how to successfully deliver a consultant-based model, and the importance of making the consumer journey unique and engaging.

Bryan Monteleone is the Co-founder of Drinkubator, a company that lives at the collision of beverages and technology and leverages digital strategy for spirits, RTDs, wine, and non-alcoholic brands to help them make better business decisions based on live data and analytics. Bryan oversees business development and relationship management and brings his ability and experience in developing, building, and selling technology solutions to Drinkubator and its roster of clients. As a passionate tech geek, startup junkie, and serial entrepreneur, Bryan bridges an eye for emerging technology and online tactics together with his background in the craft alcohol business to help Drinkubator brand partners grow their footprint in the ever-growing and uber-competitive beverage industry. In this episode… How can your brand stay relevant in today's competitive digital market? Is it possible to tap into data to make better decisions and invest in a market where your beverage brand will succeed? The spirits digital market can be difficult to navigate. So, how can you find your niche and unlock your digital potential? Bryan Monteleone is a trailblazer in the digital industry and helps build successful spirits brands.   By being digitally forward and paying attention to the data and analytics of where your customers are, you can accelerate your brand growth and drive sales. The industry is competitive, so it can be a game-changer if your brand focuses on reaching customers through monetizing available data.  In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, join Alexi as she sits down with Bryan Monteleone, Co-founder of Drinkubator, to discuss navigating and overcoming digital marketing challenges for a spirits brand. Bryan talks about meeting brand needs in a digital space, the importance of flexible marketing strategies, and the endless possibilities of content delivery for spirits brands.

Anna Lundstrom and her husband founded Folksy Hard Kombucha, a better-for-you alcoholic beverage that's more thoughtful and more enjoyable. At Folksy, they are committed to pure ingredients and honest practices that put people and the planet first. Their better-for-you alcoholic drink is made from a light combination of organic fruit juices and natural botanicals, and it's low in sugar and brewed to a breezy 5% — so you can feel good today and tomorrow, too! In this episode… Do you want to make an alcoholic beverage with more natural ingredients and lower sugar? How can you launch towards your north star while remaining true to your values and beliefs? Anna Lundstrom of Folksy Hard Kombucha created a refreshing, sweet alcoholic drink without the weight of processed ingredients and added sugar. She believes consumers can have clean ingredients and natural botanicals with zero compromises. Anna stayed true to her principles and aligned herself with partnerships that encouraged growth opportunities. Today, Anna is here to share the birth of her product and how you can remain true to your vision. In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi sits down with Anna Lundstrom, Co-founder of Folksy Hard Kombucha, to discuss creating an alcoholic beverage without compromising on ingredients. Anna talks about crafting a selection of kombucha using organic ingredients, the importance of aligning your brand with your core values, and letting the customer define how your brand speaks.

Carlos de Jesus is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Amorim Cork, the largest cork producer in the world. He played rugby at the national level before cutting his teeth at Breakstone & Ruth LLP, a leading New York-based investor and shareholder relations firm where he worked in media and investor relations and corporate communications.  Originally hailing from Portugal, his natural curiosity and interest in environmental sustainability led him back there 16 years ago to contribute to the global defense of cork forests and the species that rely on their existence. In this episode… Wine-making has been around for thousands of years — and cork seals bottles effectively. Cork may be an environmentally friendlier option than single-use plastic, but not without many challenges. How can a brand continue fostering change and innovative technologies? Modernizing the cork industry and educating consumers on the environmental impacts is crucial as cork brands face a sustainability problem. Carlos de Jesus pours his passion into helping winemakers focus on growth while cultivating a better ecosystem through cork stoppers. More importantly, cork is harvested without felling trees. By carefully stripping it, the tree can balance the ecosystem by continuing to grow until the next harvest. On this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, join Alexi Cashen as she talks with Carlos de Jesus, Director of Marketing and Communications at Amorim, about producing cork and the fundamentals of cork forests. Carlos discusses the positive impact cork has on the environment, the balance between nature and technology, and what is threatening the sustainability of the cork industry.

Alexi Cashen is the Co-founder and CEO of Elenteny Imports, a multifaceted logistics company dedicated to growing its partners' businesses in the wine, beer, and spirits industry. She is also the Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of St. Hildie's Spiked Tincture Tonics, boozy craft tonics made with natural ingredients and botanical tinctures.  Alexi is fondly called the “Chief Executive Optimist” — spreading the gospel of empathetic customer service, sales panache, and meticulous operations. She scours ideas and drives home solutions, strategy, and above all else, positivity! Alexi is also the host of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, where she talks with inspirational people in the wine, beer, and spirits space. In this episode… Ever wondered how — and why — brands scale and thrive in the wine and alcohol beverage industry? Where can you find the tools for success of brands that engage in the same struggles? This week, Alexi Cashen highlights brand e-commerce, retail models, and entrepreneurial struggles and solutions in the wine and beverage industry. From flavors and ingredients, mentorships and inspiring women's roles, and importing and distribution, this episode has it all. Dig into this collection of inspiring stories and industry aspects. In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Rise25 Co-founder John Corcoran sits down with host Alexi Cashen to talk about Alexi's most memorable past episodes and encouraging conversations. Alexi shares how brands pivoted during challenging times to produce growth, ways women are refashioning the industry, and how the alcohol beverage industry is embracing diversity and inclusion.

Gina Fugina is a passionate female Spanish wine importer and the Owner of Able Beverage LLC, a Maine-based Spanish wine import company. Able Beverage imports high-quality biodynamic, vegan, and certified organic Spanish wines to more than 15 states, including Maine, California, New York, Colorado, and New Jersey. Gina is also the owner of her sip for a cure brand, pALS CAVA. She was inspired by a friend's fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and runs the company by the motto, “Sip For A Cure.” Gina's passion for the wine business and experience came from her time working with Steve Miles as the Operations Manager for Steve Miles Selections. In this episode… Have you ever wondered about the role of a wine importer? The role of an importer is associated with buying and selling wine, but how does an independent importer select a bottle? What are these factors, and what role do they play in wine selection? An importer deals with more than just suppliers. They establish relationships with wineries, need to understand logistics and compliance, and know how to prepare a delectable portfolio of wines. Gina Fugina started her own brand based on a passion and love for Spanish wines, and she has become an industry pioneer — in sparkling wine and giving back. Inspired by a personal friend and mentor, she shows how a wine-loving community can make a difference. On this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, hear from Gina Fugina, Owner of Able Beverage and pALS Cava, as she details creating a unique experience from imported wine from Spain. Gina talks about her journey into the alcohol beverage industry, lessons she's learned in the process of scaling her brand, and the inspiration behind her “Sip For A Cure” motto.

Helen Johannesen is the Owner and Founder of Helen's Wines, a naturally-driven and organically farmed wine shop. She is also the Director of Operations and the Beverage Director at Jon & Vinny's restaurant and all associated restaurants, including Animal, Son of a Gun, and Petit Trois. She is passionate about food and wine and was titled Best New Sommelier by Food & Wine in 2016. Helen graduated from the University of Wisconsin and began her career in the food industry working at L'Etoile, where she gained valuable experience in the fine dining and farm-to-table sector. After moving to Los Angeles, Helen worked as a manager at Craft before taking a position with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo and eventually became their partner at Jon & Vinny's. In this episode… How do new brands connect and educate consumers? What does it mean to stay humble in the rapidly growing ecosystem of the wine industry, and how can you remain authentic? For Helen Johannesen, connecting and establishing a personal relationship between her consumers and the brand they love begins with a conversation. Helen has had a colorful career in the food and beverage industry — and her experience as a leader has inspired and shaped the foundation of her wine shop, Helen's. By remaining authentic and firm to her roots, she has successfully scaled her brand and positively impacted the lives of her consumers.  Listen to this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast to hear from Helen Johannesen, Owner and Founder of Helen's and Partner at Jon & Vinny's. Alexi and Helen discuss keeping true to your roots, increasing revenue, and staying humble in a diverse industry. Helen talks about the importance of educating the consumer, setting brand expectations for authenticity, and being persistent in your personal growth. Stay tuned!

Donna Katz is the Founder and CEO of G's Hard Ginger Beer, a ready-to-drink dry hard ginger beer brand made with 100% real ingredients. She is focused on bringing natural, cleaner, and transparent ingredients to the alcohol beverage space. Donna is an Australian native and moved to Napa Valley, California, in 2013. She began dry-farming a small block of grapevines organically by hand and making restrained-style wines in 2014. Donna started fermenting ginger for her own digestive health when she was struck with the idea to create a brand of clean and functional alcoholic ginger beers.  In this episode… How can you create a business model centered around consumer and distribution relationships? What does it take to craft quality beverages with natural ingredients?  Donna Katz saw a gap in the market for cleaner alcohol options that were fresh-tasting and not overly sweetened with added sugar. She was inspired to create her beverage while fermenting ginger for her own gut health. After sourcing natural and local ingredients, Donna decided to produce an agriculturally sourced brand. She believes in her brew and puts in the time to establish connections with her consumers and distributors to showcase the value of her canned ginger beer.  On this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, hear from Donna Katz, Founder and CEO of G's Hard Ginger Beer, as she details her process of crafting a clean, organic beverage brand. Alexi and Donna talk about the importance of transparency on nutritional beverage labels, how in-person networking scaled Donna's brand, and an exemplary business model to connect with consumers and distributors.

Marisa Wilairat is the Alcohol Compliance Manager at Elenteny Imports, a multi-faceted logistics company dedicated to growing its partners' businesses in the wine, beer, and spirits industry. The Elenteny team handles all the details of compliance, logistics, and delivery for their clients so their team can focus on sourcing and selling exceptional wines, beers, and spirits. Before joining Elenteny Imports, Marisa was an Associate Attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. As a member of the honorary scholastic society, The Order of the Coif, Marisa graduated magna cum laude with a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree from the University of Michigan Law School. In this episode… Are you seeking a better opportunity in the alcohol compliance industry? If so, this episode is for you.  Elenteny Imports devotes itself to helping importers navigate the waters of distribution, logistics, and compliance — and they're looking for dedicated and eager team members. According to Marisa Wilairat, her role at Elenteny Imports is rewarding and fulfilling. Every day, she enjoys the opportunity to solve a new puzzle of the compliance chain. On this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi Cashen sits down with Marisa Wilairat, Alcohol Compliance Manager at Elenteny Imports, to discuss the opportunities available to join an array of accomplished professionals. Marisa talks about why she enjoys working in the alcohol compliance industry, the requirements for their open career opportunities, and the outstanding benefits of working at Elenteny Imports — including a killer holiday party!

Blake Hershey is the Founder and CEO of Sippd, an AI-powered plugin and app that helps users discover their new favorite wines using Taste Match technology. Blake has a background in the aerospace and technology industries, working at companies including NASA and JPL. He founded Sippd in 2019 after leaving his position as Chief Innovation Officer at MORI Associates. In this episode… How is AI moving the wine industry forward? Blake Hershey realized there was a need to help people discover their perfect wines. After his partner went out with a group of friends and wasted money on wine that didn't fit their preferences, Blake decided to create a solution. He built Sippd, an app that gives recommendations and connects people with wines they'll love. Leveraging AI, Sippd offers digital wine lists, food pairings, customized recommendations, and more! What else is on the horizon for the wine and beverage space? On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, hear from Blake Hershey, Founder and CEO of Sippd, as he shares how technology is evolving consumer connection and discovery in the wine industry. Blake talks about the details of the Sippd app, how he empowers employees, and his plans for future innovation.

Roni Ginach is the Owner of Roni Selects, an importer and distributor of natural wine made by a community of savants. When she was studying at New York Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, she worked in the food hospitality and wine industry — and had her first taste of being a sommelier. Roni has experience as a Wine Director for Cliff's Edge and Michael's Santa Monica, a Beverage Director for Kidmet Los Angeles, and a Sales Representative for Joli Vin. In this episode… Where can you turn to education and consulting to reach the end consumer as a wine producer? How can an importer and distributor of wine connect consumers to discover and experience wine in a new way?  For Roni Ganich, to be a successful importer of wine begins with learning and understanding the value beyond the bottle. Winemakers are guardians of their creations, and it is a means of communication for connecting people across the globe. In part, Roni's brand was formed to nurture and organically grow wineries — because everyone deserves to drink something exceptional.  On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, hear from Roni Ginach, Owner at Roni Selects, as she shares her story of camaraderie in the wine community to promote wines. Alexi and Roni discuss how wine savants are working to connect natural wine with consumers, how the pandemic encouraged growth in the wine industry, and the creativity and passion behind being an importer and distributor.

Diana Novak joined Palm Bay International in 2010, one of the leading wine and spirits importers in the country, to spearhead education for the spirits portfolio and serve as a connection between distributors and key accounts in Chicago and the Midwest markets. Diana was promoted as the National Director of Craft Spirits Education in fall 2013 – a role she continues to hold today. In her capacity as National Director, she can be found creating the cocktails for the national market and educating each segment of business about a wide array of spirits categories, competitive sets, and how to use spirits in new and exciting ways. Following her passion for food and drink led her to pursue a degree from the esteemed Johnson and Wales University. Diana began formally bartending during college and after graduation and returned to her home in North Carolina to continue her growth in the bar industry. There she opened a team with the Carolina Hospitality Group. Using flavor and texture skills combined with pure experimentation, Diana developed a fast consumer following by creating unique and thoughtful cocktails. She studied in Jerez, Spain with the Consejo Regulador of the Sherry Triangle, ultimately receiving her certificate as a sherry expert and educator in September 2019.  She has also achieved certifications in BarSmarts, WSET II Spirits and is studying for the WSET III Spirits. Diana has been featured in Tasting Panel Magazine for her cocktails featuring Los Amantes Mezcal, Boulard Calvados, and more. Her recipe, “Smoke, Spice, and Everything Nice,” recently won the About.com “Savory Cocktail” competition and was most recently awarded “Best Gin Cocktail” at San Antonio Cocktail Conference 2019.  She was also featured as a guest editor for Chilled Magazine in 2018. In this episode… Are you looking to discover quality brands from across the globe that offer authenticity? How do you promote your wine and spirit brand uniquely and in an eye-catching way? For Diana Novak, creating flavorful recipes is a way to establish a personal connection to the brands she represents. With her background in the culinary arts, Diana uses her flavor skills to experiment with wines and spirits to craft brand-promoting cocktails. She has built a stellar team across the United States focused on brand education, loyalty, and integration. Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast to hear from Diana Novak, National Director of Crafts Spirits Education for Palm Bay International. Alexi and Diana discuss how to establish an emotional connection between brands and consumers, how digital media is scaling brand loyalty and education, and how Diana fuses flavors to build unique portfolios for clients.

Emily Darchuk is the Founder and CEO of Wheyward Spirit, a farm-to-flask, award-winning company that creates specialty spirits made from upcycled ingredients. Emily forged her career as a food scientist in the natural food and dairy industry before disrupting the liquor sector through ingenuity and a commitment to sustainable spirits. After many trial runs, Emily perfected the distillation process of turning whey into alcohol. Since its launch, her company has gone on to win a Double Gold Medal from the 2021 NY World Wine and Spirits Competition and a 2021 Good Food Award.  Emily dedicated her undergraduate studies to food science and nutrition at the University of Illinois. She has a master's degree in food science from Oregon State University, and a master's in innovation and entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon. Emily has held product development and innovation positions at Coca-Cola, Whitewave Foods, Kellog's, and NASA. In this episode… Emily Darchuk saw a gap in the food system and decided to do something about it. After working in the natural food and dairy industry, she realized that products were going to waste. Instead of waiting around for a solution, Emily created her own through an agricultural-based spirit: Wheyward. Wheyward is not a tequila, vodka, or gin — it's something that is innovative and can't be categorized in the traditional sense. However, this one-of-a-kind spirit can be incorporated into your favorite drink or sipped on its own, all while offering a sustainable solution. So, how did Emily get this revolutionary product off the ground? It started with being bold and unapologetic.  On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, hear from Emily Darchuk as she shares her story of creating a specialty base spirit. Alexi and Emily discuss the “why” behind Wheyward Spirit, how the business is making a difference in the spirits industry, and Emily's advice to other entrepreneurs going after their lofty goals. Stay tuned!

Jennie Ripps is a tea sommelier and the Founder and CEO of Owl's Brew, which offers a range of fresh-brewed, organic tea and botanical-based mixers as well as spiked, sparkling boozy teas. Jennie is also the Founder of Brew Lab Tea, a company specializing in crafting custom blends in partnership with restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and other retailers.  Jennie is the Co-author of Wise Cocktails, and she has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur, among other publications. She is an alumnus of Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program, and she is a mentor for the University of Pennsylvania's Professional Women's Alliance and Summit Series.    In this episode… What does it take to develop your brand? How can you become a better leader within your team and your industry? For Jennie Ripps, having mentors, a clear vision for your brand, and knowing your target audience will help lift your business off the ground. Jennie's brand was, in part, formed to combat the plethora of alcoholic drinks filled with juice and sugar. According to Jennie, everyone deserves to drink something clean, so she created a solution free of artificial and natural flavors, sugar substitutes, and parabens.  Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast featuring Jennie Ripps, the Founder and CEO of Owl's Brew, to hear her process of building a clean beverage brand. Alexi and Jennie discuss best practices for marketing your product, becoming a better leader, and how Jennie is revolutionizing a male-dominated industry.   

Jordan Salcito has been curious about wine since learning her grandfather made it in his basement and fell head over heels for it since her first harvest in Burgundy in 2006. She began her career in New York as a hostess at wd~50 before becoming a prep cook at DANIEL, sommelier and manager at Eleven Madison Park, then eventually Wine & Beverage Director for David Chang's Momofuku restaurants. After investing over a decade working her way through several facets of the wine and restaurant industries, Jordan founded RAMONA, an organic Italian wine spritz. She continues to work harvests each year at world-renowned wineries across the globe, from Burgundy and Tuscany to Patagonia and California. Jordan has received widespread recognition for both her wine programs and entrepreneurial pursuits. Her wine program at Momofuku was named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist multiple times and, in 2017, was awarded “Most Original Wine List in the World” from World Of Fine Wine. On her first try, Jordan passed her Master Sommelier Blind Tasting exam, was named a Wine Enthusiast “40 Under 40” Tastemaker. She was recognized as a 2018 and 2019 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for "Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional," tied to her brand RAMONA. In 2019, RAMONA received two Double Gold Medals and one Gold Medal in the world-renowned San Francisco International Wine Competition. Salcito has appeared everywhere from the TODAY show to WSJ and has also been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Goop, The Cut, Coveteur, and Into the Gloss, among others. In the fall of 2020, Salcito debuted a new podcast series, Opening Up with Jordan Salcito. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons. In this episode… Are you looking to fill the void of organic beverages built with high standards and value? How do you craft an experience that can get the attention of consumers? It starts by crafting a beverage with organic, all-natural ingredients held to the highest agricultural standards. Jordan Salcito is paving the way in the alcohol beverage industry to deliver honest drinks with honest ingredients. Through her marketing technique of connecting the winemaker with the consumer through photographs, she brings to light the invention of canned wine spritz with Italian components. Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show to hear from Jordan Salcito, the Founder and CEO of Drink RAMONA. Alexi and Jordan discuss Jordan's inspiring story and experience in culinary arts and as a sommelier, the organic and value-built vision behind RAMONA, and the importance of building a culture of kindness and remaining authentic in the wine industry. Stay tuned!

Kat Hantas is the CEO of 21 Seeds, an all-female-founded, all-natural, fruit-infused tequila brand. They are committed to using all-natural ingredients, both in their tequilas and cocktails. Their three signature infusions are Cucumber Jalapeño, Grapefruit Hibiscus, and Valencia Orange, which can be turned into delicious, low-calorie cocktails. In this episode… What makes a successful brand hold true? Do you want to make the spirits beverage industry more female-inclusive?  It starts by creating and bringing a quality, premium-infused product to market, which blows away the competition. Kat Hantas is digging deeper into the alcohol industry and pioneering a community founded and led by women. With wellness in mind, Kat is breaking barriers and producing a smooth, drinkable tequila. She uses all-natural, non-chemical ingredients to ensure quality tequila without sacrificing taste. Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast featuring Kat Hantas, CEO of 21 Seeds, as she shares her story and vision behind crafting a wine-occasion tequila. Kat discusses her unique twist on the 3-tier alcohol system, empowering women-led and generational teams, and connecting with consumers to produce and scale her brand. Stay tuned!

Caitlin Landesberg was the Founder and CEO of Sufferfest Beer Company. She grew and scaled her brand to success through strategic marketing and determination — ultimately, selling her brand to the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. She has experience as a marketing executive working for Adobe, Strava, and Mozilla. Caitlin is a passionate investor at This Is Water, focused on helping others grow their brands. In this episode… In an oversaturated market, how do you make your brand stand out? Is there a way to craft a beer geared towards athletes? Crafting a beer that can cater to functionality and an active lifestyle is no easy take, but Caitlin Landesberg was up to the task. With her experience building digital platforms, Caitlin crafted a beer with vitamins and nutrients aimed at athletes. With negativity coupled with health reservations, she grew and scaled her brand. She built a stellar team using unique storytelling marketing techniques, and her brand excelled in a saturated beer market. In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show, Caitlin Landesberg tells her entrepreneurial story and motivation behind upstarting Sufferfest Beer. Alexi and Caitlin discuss pushing yourself to grow, the challenge of efficiently scaling a brand, and the innovation and creativity it takes to market a beer brand successfully.

Grace O'Reilly is an Agronomist for Waterford Whiskey, where she combines passion with agriculture. Grace grew up on a sheep and suckler-to-beef farm in the northeast of Ireland and is from a fifth-generation farming family. Her previous roles include working at Minch Malt, where she gained valuable experience working in different parts of the country.  Grace attended University College Dublin, where her desire to work in the production and harvesting industry led her to a major in Agricultural Science in Animal and Crop Production. She believes that you must have passion for what you are doing and to do what you love. In this episode… There are many complex layers around growing barley — cultivation, soil, and climate are all things to consider when crafting a spirit.  Biodynamic farming is a relatively new implementation to grow barley. Unfortunately, this means there is little data on how barley environments create and shape taste. Grace O'Reilly is changing that. She is implementing new ways to track data and source it down to the farm where the barley was born. Grace looks at older art forms of distillation, having brought back several antique strains of barley, and merges them with modern, organic ways of farming to produce unique whiskey. Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen podcast to hear from Grace O'Reilly, Agronomist at Waterford Distillery. Alexi and Grace discuss Grace's foundation in agriculture and how it sprouted her love of barley, the renaissance of organic farming, how it shapes the production, fermentation, and distillation of barley, and the importance of consumer education. Get your hands dirty and plant the seeds in this episode!

Aimee Cronin is the Vice President of Trade Growth for City Hive, an omnichannel commerce platform for over 2,500 wine, beer, and spirit retailers. City Hive combines mobile apps, websites, and advanced customer engagement into one easy-to-use system. Aimee is also the President of Little Big Fish, a strategic sales, marketing, and brand development agency, and a Strategic Advisor at Ujama, a strategic brand positioning, partnership development, and fundraising platform. Aimee has over twenty years of experience within the wine industry and can't help but be a problem solver — which is how she combined her passion for wine with her knowledge of technology. In this episode… Do you struggle with handling a multitude of digital resources for your business? How can you give your brand the muscle it needs to succeed and grow your online business? Integrating your retail supply into a slew of online platforms can be daunting. However, there is a way to digitally transform your wine, beer, and spirits business that surpasses all other methods. Aimee Cronin of City Hive knows how to extract value out of products and engage with customers. She believes in giving a company tried-and-true tools for success — which is why City Hive created an omnichannel experience for today's wine, beer, and spirits retailers, suppliers, and distributors.  In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show, hear from Aimee Cronin, the Vice President of Trade Growth at City Hive. Alexi and Aimee chat about Aimee's passion for technology and wine, how the alcoholic beverages industry is evolving, and Aimee's hard-won tips for helping your business grow, scale, and reach new heights of success. Take the jump and stay tuned!

Scout Driscoll is the Founder and CEO of VINT, Wine Branding & Design, based in Chicago. Her all-woman studio expertly guides wine brands through strategic branding and packaging evolutions, digital design, and more. She is a firm believer in storytelling through innovation, and her company advises brands to become Instagram-worthy.  For nearly 20 years, Scout has dedicated herself to building authentic and honest brands. She has collaborated with 200 clients, including Jean-Charles Boisset's Raymond and DeLoach Vineyards, John Legend's LVE Wines, and had even done branding for Kayne West in his start-up years. In this episode… Are you floundering around in the alcohol beverage industry? Do you want to amplify your brand's unique voice across a myriad of sectors?  It starts by writing the first chapter in your book of business success, and Scout Driscoll and her all-women team of designers are here to help. Through Scout's moxie and passion for storytelling, she helps navigate a brand through evolution, flexibility, and savvy digital design to its “North Star.” Navigating the competitive landscape in the alcohol beverage industry can be cumbersome, but VINT is there to discover your wine's character and promote your unique brand. Are you ready to unleash your moxie? Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast headlining Scout Driscoll, Founder and CEO of VINT, Wine Branding & Design. Scout narrates her awakening and how she found herself in the alcohol beverage industry. Among other things, Scout talks about how it started with a kernel and expanded her drive behind promoting products and experiences people are passionate about and what it means to “design for good” through strategic branding.

Sara Moll is the Founder and CEO of Vin Social, a premium virtual hospitality solution. Vin Social delivers a service for companies to connect with and entertain their most valued audiences through craft wine and spirits. Sara's approach to the alcoholic beverages industry combines storytelling with seasonal trend-spotting to craft unique experiences and a new take on “wine and dine.” Sara is a Certified Sommelier, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a WSET 3 with Distinction. She is also a Member at Chief, a private, female-focused network that drives women into positions of power—and keeps them there. In this episode… Are you struggling to create a unique hospitality event for clients and prospects? Do you want to craft a one-of-a-kind experience that can grab the attention of customers and make long-term clients? In order to grow and scale your business, you first have to create a connection with your consumers. However, establishing meaningful relationships with customers is no easy task — and many professionals in the alcoholic beverages industry struggle to create the connections that can grow their businesses. Thankfully, that's why Vin Social exists: to provide the alcoholic beverage industry-related education you need to optimize virtual hospitality, champion diversity, and establish meaningful relationships. In fact, they even provide a craft wine and spirits service that provides companies with packages to help them thrive and reach clients with ease. Want to learn more? In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show, sit down with Alexi as she talks with Sara Moll, Founder and CEO of Vin Social, about Sara's mission to completely rethink and modernize the way consumers learn about and discover wine. Listen in as Alexi and Sara discuss Sara's multiple facets of the wine industry, how wine refueled her soul, and how she created this unique experience to help brands thrive. Stay tuned!

Kate Holden is the Owner of De Luca Fine Wines, one of Canada's fastest-growing private wine and spirits brands that offers retail, e-commerce, and subscription box delivery. She truly marches to the beat of her own drum and is passionate about taking wine to the next level by enhancing customer experience and creating moments of joy. Kate is also the Founder and Owner of Flaunt, a retail and e-commerce brand. In addition to this, she is the Chair and Director of Member Products for Regional Leadership Board for Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), Winnipeg Chapter, and the President of the Board of Directors for The Dream Factory. In this episode… If you could put a feeling in a bottle, what would yours taste like?  According to Kate Holden, every wine has a distinct memory or feeling. Kate believes that when you merge passion with something you love doing, your career will fall into place. That's why she has spent time collecting data on what is resonating to translate that out-of-the-box experience into something more: to merge her passion for alcoholic beverages with others' cravings for joy and connection. So, what memory do you want to leave with your customers as you continue to evolve your marketing strategies? In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show, Alexi sits down with Kate Holden, the Owner of De Luca Fine Wines, to discuss the importance of creating an experience with your brand. Listen in as Kate talks about how she's furnishing a different approach to drinking wine, how to provide a unique and tailed experience for your customers, and how to leap out of your comfort zone as an entrepreneur and leader. Stay tuned!

Ashley DuBois Leonard is the Founder and CEO of InnoVint, a revolutionary wine production management software company. Ashley founded InnoVint to solve existing issues with wine-related software by offering a reliable, precise software solution made by winemakers, for winemakers. Before founding InnoVint, Ashley worked at multiple notable wineries, including Regale Winery & Vineyards, Black Ridge Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, and more. In this episode… Do you struggle with your alcoholic beverage brand's software? Are you dissatisfied with ancient programs that seem to make your day-to-day job harder instead of easier?  Modernizing the winemaking process is the dream of every winery who wants to thrive in 2021 and beyond. However, from grape to bottle, wineries struggle to streamline their production workflow, cut resulting costs, and produce more wines. Unfortunately, this means that wineries have had to settle for complex and unreliable winery management software, which only adds to their frustration. That's why Ashley DuBoisLeonard created InnoVint, alcoholic beverage-related software: to help winemakers focus on strategic growth while InnoVint manages the production process. But, bringing this dream software to market has been a journey of many turns.  Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show to hear from Ashley DuBois Leonard,  the Founder and CEO of InnoVint. Alexi and Ashley discuss Ashley's experience in winemaking, the vision behind creating InnoVint, and how InnoVint has impacted the wine and alcoholic beverage industries. Stay tuned!

Deborah Brenner is a social entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, a membership-based organization that is dedicated to making the wine, beer, and spirits industry more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Women of the Vine & Spirits seeks to empower women across the globe to advance their careers and foster gender diversity and talent development across the alcohol beverage industry at large. In 2018, Deborah was named Social Visionary of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Deborah is also the author of the best-selling book Women of the Vine: Inside the World of Women Who Make, Taste, and Enjoy Wine. In this episode… Are you a female in the alcohol beverage industry who is frustrated with sexism and gender discrimination? Do you want to make the alcohol beverage space more inclusive and diverse — for good? Simply put, many women in the wine, spirits, and beer industry have been under-recognized. So, how do we change this unjust reality and foster gender diversity and talent development across the industry? Deborah Brenner is pioneering a community to empower women into top roles in the alcohol beverage industry and ensure their contributions are recognized. Together with c-suite male allies, Deborah is calling on all other stakeholders in the industry to create immediate — and lasting — change in the alcohol beverage industry. Today, Deborah is here to share her vision for equity and empowerment with listeners everywhere. So, how can you become an ally and encourage inclusivity in the wine, spirits, and beer space today? Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast featuring Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits. Deborah shares the inspiring story of her journey into the alcohol beverage industry, reveals her passion for amplifying women's roles in this space, and discusses how every stakeholder, entrepreneur, and industry employee can contribute to Women of the Vine & Spirits' mission. Stay tuned!

Amy Ezrin is a Member at The Piedmont Guy, a national importer of fine wines exclusively from the Italian region of Piedmont. Amy is also an Independent Wine Consultant at Amy Ezrin Consulting, where she helps wineries position their brand, coordinate with importers, and increase sales.  Over the course of her storied career, Amy has held many esteemed positions, including as Wine Desk Manager the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), Senior Vice President of Massanois Imports, Brand Manager at Sherbrooke Cellars, and more. In this episode… Do you want to jumpstart a career in the wine industry? Or, are you looking for proven strategies to help you level up your current wine-related job? If so, this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast is for you!  If you're interested in finding unparalleled success in the wine industry, there's a not-so-secret sauce that you need to master: specialization. According to Amy Ezrin, wine expert extraordinaire, your success in the wine industry is defined by becoming uniquely positioned and capable of fulfilling a role in one area. But, choosing an area of specialization can be daunting. So, how can you find your sweet spot in the wine business and reach new heights of success today?  Listen to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi Cashen sits down with Amy Ezrin, Partner of The Piedmont Guy and Independent Wine Consultant at Amy Ezrin Consulting. Amy talks about her journey into wine importing and distribution, finding her niche in the wine industry, and the lessons she's learned so far in her career — all while singing opera on the side. Amy even sings a bit of opera freestyle, so you don't want to miss this exciting episode!

Maria Calvert is the Co-founder of Hispanics in Wine, a social organization dedicated to showcasing Hispanic/Latinx roots in the alcoholic beverage and hospitality industry. Hispanics in Wine promotes equality, embraces diversity, and helps Hispanic/Latinx professionals advance in the wine industry.  Maria is also the Public Relations Consultant at Maria Calvert PR, where she provides hands-on senior management strategy and execution for start-ups and established brands in several sectors, including food and wine. Maria also works as a Freelance Media Consultant for Colangelo & Partners. In this episode… Are you a wine aficionado or employee in the wine industry? Are you passionate about creating more diverse and equitable spaces? If your answer to either question is “yes,” then this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast is for you. It's time to face an ugly truth about the wine world: Hispanic and Latinx workers are underpaid and underrepresented in the corporate side of the wine industry. Unfortunately, Hispanic and Latinx employees are often stereotyped for low-income roles, regardless of their abilities and talents. So, how can Hispanic and Latinx employees in the wine industry advance to corporate positions and higher-income roles? Maria Calvert and her team at Hispanics in Wine are showing us how we — as a wine-loving community — can make a difference in the wine industry. In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi sits down with Maria Calvert, Co-founder of Hispanics in Wine, to discuss the representation and diversity problem in the wine industry — and reveal what we can do to inspire change today. Listen in as Maria talks about creating Hispanics in Wine, the importance of creating inclusivity in the wine industry, and how to advance the roles of Hispanics and Latinx employees in the wine world today. Stay tuned!

Kate Laughlin is the CEO of Martine's Wines, a 42-year-old fine wine importation and distribution company for French and Portuguese wines. She is also the Director of the US Wine Trade Alliance. Kate stands out as a passionate entrepreneur and an enlightening leader. Throughout her career, she has worked in the hospitality industry, sourcing, working with consumers, and — of course — a lot of wine importing. In this episode… Have you ever wondered how — and why — people choose to build businesses in the wine industry? For many entrepreneurs, it's the passion for wine, early exposure to good alcohol, and an entrepreneurial spirit — just like today's guest, Kate Laughlin. Unfortunately, many wine lovers are scared to jump into the wine industry because of lack of experience and fear of failure. But, contrary to what most people think, the wine industry is quite accessible. So, how do you get into the wine industry and succeed, whether you're a new-to-the-game entrepreneur or an experienced investor? Listen to Kate Laughlin on this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show as she shares her story about becoming the CEO of Martine's Wines. You don't want to miss Kate's discussion about the importance of mentorship, the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur in the wine industry, and her best tips and tricks for succeeding as a wine-focused entrepreneur or investor. Stay tuned!

Liz Willette Danneels first developed a love of wine while working for the luxury travel company Butterfield & Robinson. After a year in Burgundy and five years in Italy, she taught herself about wine mainly by buying the best bottles she could afford, studying them, and (of course) drinking them. She ran a wine bar in a Relais & Châteaux Hotel in the Dolomites in Northern Italy, worked for David Bouley, and then for importer/distributor Michael Skurnik as a sales representative in Manhattan. Today, she is a partner at Natural Wine Company.  Emily Gold grew up cooking and drinking wine with her parents and four older siblings, always relishing the time together as well as the education. In 2012, Emily eagerly accepted a job with Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant in their office located in Beaune, France. There, she met winemakers, learned about regions around France and Italy, and became versed on the ins and outs of importing some of the most respected icons in the industry. In 2014, Emily returned to Boulder, Colorado to open a restaurant and wine bar called PMG or Pour Ma Gueule, a term used by French winemakers to reference the wine bottles they stash away for drinking with their family and friends. PMG offered organic and locally-sourced food, dishes inspired by France and Italy, and organic and biodynamic wines. After six years of being a solo, small business owner, Emily sold her business in 2020. Liz and Emily are the hosts of The Fine Line Podcast: Balancing Hedonism & Health‬ where they interview people that they admire inside and outside the wine business to learn how they balance their love of food, wine, and travel with their health and wellness, both physical and mental. In this episode… Women are incredible. They are often under an insurmountable amount of pressure and hurdles and yet, they always manage to push through and come out on top. But for women in cut-throat and male-dominated industries, these challenges become even bigger. The question is, how do they do it? Liz Willette Danneels, Emily Gold, and Alexi Cashen are all women in wine. They have carved their names in the male-dominated industry and they know what it's like to face the challenges that come with being a woman in their chosen field. More importantly they know and understand the struggle of finding the balance between work, family health, and fun. In this co-interview between Alexi Cashen of The Alexi Cashen Podcast and Emily Gold and Liz Willette Danneels of The Fine Line Podcast, three remarkable women in the wine industry talk about the illusion of having it all and making the most out of every experience. Tune in as they discuss their journey into the wine industry, what it is like to be a woman in wine, how to find the right balance in work and in life, why they decided to start their own podcasts, and more.

Christy Frank is a passionate entrepreneur, gifted professional, retail mastermind, saleswoman, advanced sommelier, author, speaker, and educator based in New York City. She is a seasoned wine professional with 20+ years of experience in all US wine trade tiers, ranging from large, global drinks firms to small boutique distributors to on- and off-trade retail.  Her passion for wine is backed by a deep understanding of market context, history, and politics. She has contacts throughout the NYC and national wine scene, including store buyers and sommeliers, writers and press agents, distributors, and importers. Today, Christy is the Education Development Manager at Wine Australia in New York City and a partner at Copake Wine Works in Copake, New York. In this episode… Ever wondered why independent retail stores you've known for years are not scaling up? It's not a lack of business acumen or capital—it has more to do about the macroeconomic factors and the restrictions that come with them. But what are these factors and what role do they play in the world of independent wine retail? Christy Frank started her own wine store, Frankly Wines, in 2007. Since selling her store, she has gone on to play an even bigger role in the industry and she explains that independent retailers are choosing not to scale their business, not because they can't, because it's the wise thing to do. Find out more about Christy Frank of Wine Australia, New York, and her incredible journey in the wine industry on this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast. Tune in as Alexi talks to Christy about what it's like to start her own wine store, the factors that independent retailers consider before scaling their business, how to eliminate the barriers in starting independent retail stores, and the romance novel that she's working on that will give everyone a glimpse of what wine trips are like.

Mike Provance, is the CEO and Founder of 3x3 Insights LLC. 3x3 Insights is a marketing platform for beer, wine, and spirits retailers and brands. The company aggregates off-premise and on-premise consumer purchase information in the beverage alcohol space along with third party data to provide robust analysis, forecasting, and actionable insights. Mike is also an author and speaker on technology and innovation. In this episode… Collecting and using the beverage alcohol industry data has been the exclusive preserve of big brands, while smaller brands and retail stores have had to compete unfairly. Now, 3x3 Insights is changing the game as they collect consumer data across retail stores and then makes this data accessible to small retailers and players in the industry. But the problem is how do retailers and brands use the data that 3x3 Insights shares with them? Mike Provance, CEO and Founder of 3x3 Insights, says the data they provide helps preserve and allow small retailers to thrive and for brands to have unbridled success. From helping to find the right consumer to helping retailers understand which products will do well in their store, the data they provide is leveling the playing field to give these smaller brands a fighting chance to grow in the competitive industry. Learn more about accessing and using consumer behavior data in the beverage alcohol industry on this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast. Tune in as Alexi chats with Mike Provance, CEO and Founder of 3x3 Insights, about the types and sources of data they collect, how retailers and brands are using and can use the data, how the data democratizes market entry, and how it will shape beverage alcohol marketing in the coming years. Learn more about accessing and using consumer behavior data in the beverage alcohol industry on this Alexi Cashen Podcast episode. Alexi chats with Mike Provance, CEO and Founder of 3 x 3 Insights, about the types and sources of data they collect, how retailers and brands are using the data, and what more they need to do. They also discuss how the data democratizes market entry and how it will shape beverage alcohol marketing soon.

Marisa Wilairat is the Alcohol Compliance Manager at Elenteny Imports, a multi-faceted logistics company dedicated to growing their partners' businesses in the wine, beer, and spirits industry. Elenteny handles all the details of compliance, logistics, and delivery for their clients so that their team can focus on sourcing and selling exceptional wines, beers, and spirits.  Before joining Elenteny Imports, Marisa was an Associate Attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. She holds a Doctor of Law (J.D), Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif from the University of Michigan Law School. In this episode… Why is alcohol compliance so difficult? It's complicated because all rules for all states aren't centralized in one place. You often have to research each state individually, and navigating state websites can be difficult.  When you do find rules, you have to make sure you're reading them within the full context. The text itself is difficult to parse through to then understand in common language. You can read the rule or an advisory over and over again, and you can still be unsure about what it means. Furthermore, rules can change. Even if you find them, learn them, commit them to memory (which, who can do for all the states?), or find a way to keep the rules documented, you have to keep updating them.  But Marisa Wilairat is different. She is no stranger to risks and challenges—the very things that come with alcohol compliance. She went from quitting her job at a reputable law firm in New York to delving into the alcohol industry she knew little to nothing about. Despite the alcohol industry being a highly-regulated and risk-filled industry, she came to enjoy her work.  Marisa considers working in alcohol compliance both a burden and an honor; the responsibility she has towards their clients at Elenteny Imports and towards the regulations which she needs to consider with every transaction makes her job incredibly fulfilling. And according to Marisa, the risks she's had to overcome in the industry has been a wealth of resource of wisdom and learnings about life in general. On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi interviews Elenteny Imports' Alcohol Compliance Manager, Marisa Wilairat, about her work in the company and the growth that she has experienced through her role. Marisa shares her story about the significant career risks she took, the burden and honor of risk-taking, leadership lessons she gained throughout her career, and the milestones and achievements that she has reached with Elenteny Imports. Stay tuned.

Aaron Polsky is an innovator, award-winning bartender, influencer, musician, and entrepreneur. He is renowned for his creative cocktail programs that demonstrate a reverence for the classics while showing an affinity for the modern. He began his hospitality career in New York City at the age of 1 while working for Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bakery and as a host at the acclaimed Milk & Honey. He then went on to work at White Star, where he began to train behind the bar with renowned barman and mentor, Sasha Petraske. Aaron is the Founder of LiveWire Drinks, a line of cocktails by exceptional bartenders packaged and sold in cans. LiveWire serves as a platform that bartenders use to reach their fans and future fans worldwide. In this episode… Bartenders are great at what they do and they make their customers' experiences better with each drink that they make. But while some of them have become famous for their bartending skills, they don't always get the right compensation for their work and their achievements. Experiencing this problem first hand, Aaron Polsky decided to do something about it. He founded LiveWireand his company sets the stage for craft RTD cocktails.  In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, Aaron Polsky, Founder of LiveWire, talks about how he became a bartender and how his career in the alcoholic beverage industry has evolved through the years. He highlights the common struggles of bartenders and why he decided to start LiveWire. He also shares how LiveWire serves as a platform for bartenders and his advice for those who want to start a business in the industry.

Alexi Cashen is the CEO of Elenteny Imports, a multifaceted logistics company dedicated to growing their partners' businesses in the wine, beer, and spirits industry.  Alexi is fondly called the ‘Chief Executive Optimist'—spreading the gospel of empathetic customer service, sales panache, and meticulous operations. She scours ideas and drives home solutions, strategy and above all else, positivity! In this episode… Podcasting has been a gift that keeps giving to Alexi Cashen and her business, Elenteny Imports. Despite the difficulties and challenges that 2020 brought with it, podcasting has allowed her to have incredible conversations and business growth–something that not a lot of people can say they've been able to do during the previous year. Although she wasn't sure about what to expect from starting her podcast during the pandemic, she was able to enjoy the process and was able to interview and get in touch with some amazing individuals that she otherwise wouldn't have been able to connect with. With each guest that she features on the show, Alexi's network grows even bigger and new lessons are learned with every recorded episode. The momentum that she has gained from when she started her podcast has set the tone for how she intends to maximize podcasting in order to push her business, professional, and personal goals this 2021.  On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as she looks back on her podcasting journey that she kicked off during the 2020 pandemic. Tune in as she talks with John Corcoran of Rise25 about why she decided to start a podcast, how podcasting has been advantageous for her business and personal development, and how much further she plans to take her podcast in 2021.

Josh Jacobs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Speakeasy Co., an e-commerce and logistics platform that allows beverage alcohol brands to sell directly to consumers from their website. As the leading DTC solution for beverage alcohol brands, Speakeasy Co. empowers their partners and helps them sell directly to consumers without disrupting the three-tier system. They not only help businesses stay afloat even in turbulent times, they also provide them their own autonomy to direct their own company's course and growth moving forward. In this episode… The three-tier system grossly limits the destiny of beverage alcohol brands. They overtly rely on distributors and the three retail tier: the bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. As a result, these brands don't have the opportunity to control sales and are so far removed from the end customer transaction. Unfortunately, when the pandemic hit, these brands lost their sales by up to 80%. But according to Josh Jacobs, there is another go-to-market strategy. One where brands can start running social media ads, telling their story, indoctrinating new consumers, and ultimately convert them online. Find out what it is in this episode of the Alexi Cashen Show, as Alexi sits down with Josh Jacobs, Co-Founder and CEO of Speakeasy Co., to talk about his company and what they can do for beverage alcohol brands. Josh also discusses the e-commerce alcohol sales boom, how beverage alcohol brands can leverage the trend, and the future that awaits the beverage alcohol industry. Stay tuned.

Rebecca Banks is the former Beverage Director of the Keith McNally restaurant group in New York City. A wine professional extraordinaire, Rebecca was formerly the Beverage Director of Balthazar and was a Wine Educator at The International Culinary Institute. In this episode… From a fashion design background to becoming a Beverage Director at the prestigious Keith McNally restaurant group, Rebecca Banks has had a colorful career. Her experiences made her resilient and has also made her capable of wearing different hats, allowing her to grow a successful career within the alcoholic beverages industry.  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic happened and she has had to endure its repercussions in an already-strained hospitality industry. According to Rebecca, the pandemic exposes the faults in the hospitality industry and what needs to be done to chart a new beginning for the industry.  In this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, former Beverage Director at the Keith McNally restaurant group, Rebecca Banks, looks back on her career and talks about what needs to change for the hospitality industry going into the future. She also shares the challenges that women face in the industry and the things she wishes she learned early on in her career. Stay tuned.

Ari Weinzweig is the Founding Partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses (ZCoB), a family of small food-related companies and entrepreneurial ventures that includes Zingerman's Delicatessen, Zingerman's Creamery, and Zingerman's Bakehouse, ZingTrain, and more. No two businesses in the Zingerman's Community of Businesses are alike but they all share the same Vision and Guiding Principles and deliver “The Zingerman's Experience” with passion and commitment. After four years of experience washing dishes, cooking, and managing in restaurant kitchens and chutzpah from his hometown of Chicago, Ari and his partner, Paul Saginaw, founded their first business, Zingerman's Delicatessen, in 1982. Ari holds a Russian History degree from the University of Michigan. He is a sought-after Keynote speaker, having delivered keynotes for Inc. 500, Microsoft Expo Spring Conference, Great Game of Business Gathering of Games, Positive Business Conference at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, American Society for Quality (ASQ), and the American Cheese Society. In this episode… Ari Weinzweig has achieved success and longevity in business and has found that the secret behind the success of Zingerman's Community of Businesses is a clearly defined vision–a mission to bring it to reality in a healthy organizational ecosystem. How did he and his partner, Paul Saginaw, identify the vision that they wanted as the driving force for their company and how did they implement it despite the phenomenal growth that they are enjoying? Tune in to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi Cashen interviews Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman's Community of Businesses about how he started his business and how he successfully maintained their vision while growing their company. Ari also shares how the vision of Zingerman's propelled it to where it is today, how to go about creating a detailed vision for your business, and why dealing with mistakes and accepting their role in your life can be helpful to your journey towards success.

Christian Troy is the CEO of Indie Wineries. Indie Wineries is a family-run operation that supports other family-owned businesses. They provide sales distribution for a select group of micro wineries in 7 states and they believe that the future of the wine business is in being connected to all the different components of wine through a company that has roots in both the market place and the vineyard. After 13 years in wholesale wine, Christian is now most excited in telling the stories of the small, unknown grower making wines of fantastic quality, incredible value, and, most importantly- soul. In this episode… The wine sales business isn't predictable. This is partly the reason why many wine sales professionals assume that because a buyer or an account is not buying from them, they are no longer interested in purchasing the product. But Christian Troy says this assumption is incorrect because the account may simply be buying the same product from someone else. The difference-maker, he says, is to gamify your sales process by fishing where the fishes are.  What does Christian mean by fishing where the fishes are? And what does that have to do with keeping your sales outcomes as positive as possible?  Tune in to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi Cashen talks with Christian Troy, CEO of Indie Wineries, about how to gamify wine sales and use it to grow your market. He shares first-hand sales stories that capture how he thinks about sales, rules of the game for success, and why he considers inventories as the holy grail of wine companies. Stay tuned.

Delphine Gardére is the  CEO of the iconic Haitian rum distillery, Rhum Barbancourt. It is both the oldest and biggest rum exporter of Haiti. Rhum Barbancourt was founded on March 18, 1862 by Dupré Barbancourt who used the Charente method of double distillation that was usually reserved for creating Cognac for his rum. This allowed him to create a rum of unique quality, with flavors combining authenticity and refinement. Delphine joined Rhum Barbancourt in 2016 as an Export Distribution Manager. A year later, she rose to the position of Managing Director, and now, she serves as the company CEO. In this episode… When you're born into a family with a longstanding business with a rich history, you're never too far from the company. You may go off to pursue other passions, but at some point, your heart will always go back to where it first started beating. And when the next opportunity to be a part of the family business comes, it won't take much prodding for you to go back to where you truly belong. That's the highlight of Delphine Gardére's story as she talks to Alexi Cashen about what it's like leading Rhum Barbancourt, a company founded in 1862 by the family patriarch, Dupré Barbancourt.  Join Alexi Cashen in this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as she interviews Delphine Gardére, CEO of Rhum Barbancourt, about going back to her family's roots and running the oldest Haitian rum distillery. Delphine also shares with Alexi the different hats she wore before becoming CEO of Rhum Barbancourt, how they keep their products sustainable, and what she learned from her father when she first started working in their company. Stay tuned.

Maggie Henriquez is President and CEO of the illustrious champagne house, Krug. The House of Krug is at the very top of the Champagne industry. It is the house that has created Prestige Champagnes since 1843. Before becoming the President and CEO of Krug, Maggie was the President of the Association of Manufacturers in Venezuela, Mexico, and actively participated in the transformation of the Argentinean wine industry.  For 28 years out of her 40 years in the industry, Maggie has led many multinational or global companies. She is renowned for developing and implementing strategies to manage companies in difficult contexts and circumstances and have executed these in her capacity as CEO and/or President of different companies in Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, and now, France. In this episode… The global pandemic has brought the wine industry face to face with its many weaknesses. But it did bright about something else: It has helped the industry discover its strengths in ways never thought possible. According to Maggie Henriquez, the thing that made the biggest difference for those who have become stronger from this crisis has been their right attitude. She says that having the right attitude towards the wine production process from plots to glasses is a crucial ingredient in the face of change. It is ensuring that what you do in whatever capacity in the production process is aligned with ‘why' the company exists.  On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi Cashen talks with Maggie Henriquez, President, and CEO at Krug, about her illustrious career and what led her to the wine industry. Maggie freely shares the wealth of experience and knowledge that she gained throughout her career, the important lessons she learned along the way, and the secret to her success at Krug. Stay tuned.

Juliana Colangelo is the Vice President, California, for Colangelo & Partners. Colangelo & Partners is an integrated communications firm that propels a brand story across the modern media landscape for beverage alcohol brands seeking to grow their business in the US and beyond.  In this episode… The COVID-19 pandemic has forced creative pivots in the alcoholic beverage industry. Wholesalers have changed their approach to wine tastings and sales and restaurants are coming up with creative ways to sell meals and wine despite the ban on in-house dining in many cities. And all of these are made possible through strategic and integrated communications.  Juliana Colangelo knows all too well about creative pivots and integrated communications. She recently created The Supper Share, a personal concierge service for virtual food and wine experiences. Through integrated communications, she has been able to create awareness and buzz around their brand in order to drive sales. On this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi talks with Juliana Colangelo, the Vice President, California for Colangelo & Partners, as she shares her creative pivots in the industry. She also talks about the value of integrated communications in the wine industry and how it can strategically drive sales higher. Stay tuned.

Liz Willette Danneels is the Sales Manager and Sale Boulder at the Natural Wine Company, Colorado's leading distributor of fine wine made naturally. Prior to moving to Boulder a few years ago, Liz was a partner in Grand Cru Selections based in New York, an incredible importer of old world wines.

Kyle Groombridge is the Dallas Key Account holder for the Victory Wine Group. Before joining Victory Wine Group, Kyle worked for Total Wine & More, where he grew from a Wine Sales Associate to become a Wine Manager in under five years.  In this episode… Many people experience detours in life. Kyle Groombridge was an Associate Pastor in Chicago before he moved to Dallas, Texas where he fell in love with wine and joined the industry. It's an uncanny career shift and yet according to Kyle, he can't imagine doing anything else. Join Alexi Cashen in this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Kyle Groombridge, Dallas Key Account Manager of the Victory Wine Group, chronicles his journey that led him to the doorsteps of the wine industry. Kyle also shares with Alexi how wine wholesale has changed in light of the pandemic, how wine retailers and on-premise businesses have creatively pivoted, what to expect this holiday season from and more. Stay tuned.

Erin Jolley is the Florida Sales Representative for the Progress Wine Group, a company that's committed to thoughtfully servicing their customers, while building a family of inspired producers of wines and spirits-collaborating with both innovators and icons. They pursue sustainability for both the planet and their company, while simultaneously setting aside notions resistant to progress.Erin  is in charge of Progress Wine Group's South Florida markets of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Boca Raton.  Erin has opened markets for wine and spirit producers in California, Colorado, Washington DC, and Australia. She is also a Master of Wine, Stage 2 Candidate, working towards the most respected title in the world of wine. She loves Chenin Blanc, Sam Cooke, and Murakami.

Bonnie Crocker is the Sales Representative of PDX Wine in Portland, Oregon. PDX Wine is a wine importing and distribution company based in the State of Oregon. They represent some of this country's top importers of fine, European wine, including Louis/Dressner, De Maison Selections, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, José Pastor Selections, Marc De Grazia, PortoVino, and many more.

Eva Zorad is the New Jersey Sales Representative and National Sales Liaison of BonHomie Wine Imports, a company who is passionate about people and their stories. They work with wine makers with smaller estates of about 8-hectares who have generations of experience and knowledge in traditional wine making partnered with the newest innovations, and who offer impeccable wine. Eva was also the co-founder of September Wines & Spirits and worked there for eight years. Eva moved to West Orange, New Jersey, where she connected with BonHomie and is now in charge of their New Jersey portfolio.

Marisa Brown is the Los Angeles Sales Representative at Nomadic Distribution LLC, an import and distribution company that brings in bottles of alcoholic beverages from the coast of Morocco to the backcountry of San Diego, to the hills of France, and the heel of the boot. Marisa is also a Certified Sommelier who is driven by bringing enjoyment to hospitality. Through several years of experience in the many aspects of hospitality, she has developed the skills of interpersonal communication, strong leadership, multitasking, organization, personnel relations, and crisis management.

Gretchen Pen is a Sales and Marketing Representative from Vintage ‘59 Imports, a company who looks for wines with depth of fruit, length and elegance, rather than for obtrusive oak, over-extraction, or excessive alcohol. They focus on the rich relationships that spring from the community of growers, instead of just the commercial imperative and look for people who share sensibilities, and that makes them as important as the wine they produce. Their rule is simple: work with people who make you proud and whose wine you drink at home. Gretchen attended the University of San Diego on swimming scholarships and has earned degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies. She got into sales at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in San Francisco where she was introduced to the V59 book. She interned under winemark Ed Kurtzman at the August West Winery and started at Vintage ‘59 in 2013.

Josie Zeiger is the New York City Sales Representative for MFW Wine Co., a wine distribution company representing producers that strive to make real, terroir-driven wines. MFW Wine Co. operates out of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. In this episode… Selling wine requires more than just pitching a bottle. It's a personal experience that asks sales representatives across the country to create an interactive way of reaching out to potential customers in order to draw them in and make them want to have the bottle in your hand. There are different approaches to cross the gap between a sales rep and a client and for Josie Zeiger, she has chosen to leverage as many avenues as she can in order to close a sale. Tune in to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi talks with Josie Zeiger of MWF WIne Co. about how to reach out to clients and close sales despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Josie also shares how the pandemic has affected her work and what she's doing differently to keep the sales moving in a competitive and saturated market.

Kate Cornelius-Schecter is the Chicago Sales Representative for the Selection Massale, importers of natural wines from small wineries.  After quitting her acting career to pursue her passion for wine, she started her wine sales career at Red & White Wines in Chicago. That passion intensified after she had the privilege of learning about wine making from producers at Loire. She's thrilled to be representing natural wine producers, selling their unique wines, and sharing their incredible stories. In this episode… When you say someone's a ‘natural,' you'd be talking about Kate Cornelius-Schecter and her lifetime love for wine. She shifted from the acting industry into the wine industry because she found that she cannot deny the calling of her true passion. And while the alcoholic beverage industry's worst times are far from behind us, Kate Cornelius-Schecter says that it's uplifting to see retail wine sales in Chicago go up by 30%. This increase in sales, despite restaurants still operating on limited capacity, gives a sliver of hope to players who are faced with complicated and challenging times. How does a wine Sales Rep keep their creative energy to navigate these challenging times? What are the ways they can pivot their wine tasting activities to stay connected to their customers?  Join Alexi Cashen and Kate Cornelius-Schecter of Selection Massale in this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast as they discuss the tough times in the wine industry and how industry players are proving to be tougher. Tune in as they discuss how wine sales representatives can keep their energies up and pivot their outreach in order to stay connected to clients, the current status of the Chicago alcoholic beverage and hospitality industry, and the things that Kate believes should change for the good of Chicago.

Helen Gregory is a lifestyle entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in strategic brand management communications for leading hospitality, beverage, and destination clients with worldwide reach. Helen launched her first marketing firm in 2001 and recently rebranded it into Gregory + Vine, and the vine has grown ever since.  In this episode… People who are not in the design and arts industry don't usually consider themselves as creatives. But for Helen Gregory, creativity isn't relegated to just certain groups of people. She believes that creativity is for everyone and it doesn't necessarily mean that you need to be a Picasso or a Mozart to be creative because oftentimes, creativity flows out of people in the most fascinating and unique ways. At least that's how Helen sees the work that she is doing through her agency, Gregory + Vine. Through her agency, she's able to help brands in the hospitality, food, and beverage industry with their public relations and brand strategy, digital and experiential events, and more. She says that with a market that's increasingly becoming more demanding of new flavors and experiences, it actually requires a ton of creativity to create unique experiences and personal touches that's specific to a brand. Tune in to this episode of the Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi talks to Helen Gregory of Gregory+Vine, about the incredible amount of creativity in the hospitality, food, and beverage industry. Helen also shares how Gregory+Vine is serving their target clients, how industry players can adapt to the changes happening right now as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how businesses can creatively to keep up with changing customer demands.