1. BLACK BEAR WINES AND SPIRITS (www.blackbearwines.com) – Westport, Connecticut 2006-2015
Purveyor of Fine Wines and Spirits. Click here to view Black Bear Wines.
President/CEO
Managed a professional staff for a wine retail and E-commerce establishment. Linked inventory forecasts and availability to
consumer preferences and emerging trends. Effectively utilize statistical reporting and data analysis to manage a proactive versus
reactive response to various trends and sales forecasting. Use performance metrics and reports to monitor key categories including
product sales and other key indicators. Oversee general accounting and bookkeeping functions including accounts receivable,
accounts payable, P&L, reconciliation reports, daily cash receipts, QuickBooks, credit cards, and sales/use tax. Operated and
managed company expenditures in excess of $100,000 dollars per month.
 Business Turnaround – Acquired the store which was located in a prime upscale suburban location, but suffered from poor
business management. At the time, the business was generating $2.5 million in annual sales, and losing $450,000. Identified
cost drivers and opportunities to lower costs and increase gross margins. Streamlined operations, including downsizing store
from 5,000 sf to 2,400 sf, reducing rent by 52% while substantially increasing profits. Optimized new store space by
increasing inventory/sf ratio allowing to keep revenue high and overhead costs low. Implemented a number of cost control
initiatives. Analyzed product line and transitioned toward high margin products. Returned to profitability within a year;
produced a strong healthy substantial net profit.
 Marketing/Brand Building – Created a store identity as an upscale, exclusive provider of products. Restructured the
merchandising. Brought modern technology into store marketing and operations, including website mgmt., E-commerce,
product placement and pricing. Planned and managed special events, which included private parties for celebrities, as well as
political events for the Connecticut Governor and a member of the House of Representatives.
 Leadership & Management – Managed over 75 liquor sales representatives and staff, which included Store Manager, Wine
Connoisseur, Spirit Expert, Beer Manager, Wine Consultants, cashiers and staff.
 Staff and Culture – Developed and retained strong mgmt. and high performance teams which consistently delivered a positive
customer experience. Hired, coached and mentored Store Manager, who has served in this role for the past nine years. Hired,
terminated and managed in-store staff with various expertise in sales, customer service, marketing, and business development
providing consultative advice which customers relied upon.
 Revenue – 12% increase of gross sales year over year by enhancing brand recognition, increasing marketing efforts and
reinforcing customer loyalty. Developed wine classes, wine tours, wine dinners, and other specialized events where our
average gross profit for special events exceeded 75% of our ROI.
 Nonprofit support – Initiated dozens of charity events over the years benefiting various community charitable organizations
thereby enabling us to improve customer flow by running hundreds of philanthropic efforts. Our successful efforts allowed us
to donate a portion of our sale proceeds to the sponsored organizations. This resulted in gaining hundreds of new customers
within the community affiliated with various charities and organizations.
 Gross Margin –Increased gross margins by 80% on unique wine varietals by taking advantage of purchasing an abundance of
close-out/non-brand wines from various distributors.
 Cost of Goods Sold – Deduced in-store product costs by 40% by adding to our selection “hidden gem” wines that had equal
and affordable taste in lieu of our commercial brand wines, which resulted in an increase to our gross margins.
 Fixed Costs – Reduced rent by 52% by decreasing store size for optimal price per square foot, restructured management and
staff with various pay scales predicated upon store growth, increased gross sales, higher gross margins, and the ability to
lower our costs of goods sold, which would substantially improve our net profit. Renegotiated all supplier terms and contracts
with lower fixed costs while eliminating any excess expenditures.
 Net Profit – Raised net profit to modest levels where payroll, costs of goods sold and fixed costs were easily managed.