MATTHEW CORAM
Director of Operations , Chilly ' s Liquors
First full-time job : JMS Consulting Favorite drink : Bourbon or red wine
When Matthew Coram , Director of Operations at Chilly ’ s Liquors in Greenfield , IN , looks out at the landscape , he sees challenges and opportunities .
He points to “ the increased competition from big box retailers like Walmart , Costco and Total Wine and More . It is a battle that I think we will always face unfortunately but that ' s what makes us stronger as retailers .”
To help stave off this competition , Coram recommends that independent retailers “ study retail nonstop . I sit down every January with goals for the year on revenue , employees and charity . I like the Profit , Marcus Lemonus : it takes people , processes and product to be successful !”
Coram has also found success through his time as president of the largest co-op buying groups in the state of Indiana , and as a member of Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers .
Looking ahead , “ I hope to continue to evolve as the industry continues to ,” he says , “ and ride the roller coaster of life as my Dad would say .”
KYLE ROUNSEVILLE
Controller , M & R Liquors
First full-time job : Audit staff at a public accounting firm Favorite drink : Red wine or Bourbon
Kyle Rounseville represents the third generation of ownership and leadership at M & R Liquors , an iconic beverage alcohol retail chain in central Connecticut .
“ My family has been in the retail beverage alcohol business since 1952 ,” Rounseville recalls . “ I grew up around this industry and never strayed too far away . I would help out in the stores during holidays and other busy times throughout college and even my first couple jobs .” Accordingly , he counts his father as a professional role model . “ Growing up watching him work in the industry and his passion for it really gave me a great role model to base my career on ,” Rounseville says .
Now in a leadership role himself , Rounseville looks to inspire the next generation of beverage alcohol retailers . He urges newer professionals on the importance of “ having passion for the industry and the products ; hopefully that inspires others .”
After all , in the beverage alcohol business , the “ vast opportunities that are available is very attractive for a young professional wanting to join this industry ,” he adds .
To
read more about M & R Liquors , check out the July / August 2022 issue of Beverage Dynamics .
MICHELLE ERLAND
Account Director , Colangelo & Partners
First industry job : Bartender Favorite drink : Champagne Louis Roederer
A bartending position when she was home from college laid the groundwork for Michelle Erland ’ s career as a beverage professional . “ I quickly became captivated by the vibrant atmosphere , unique culture and sense of creativity within the beverage industry ,” she says .
Erland ’ s ability to foster strong client relationships , draw upon her extensive media network and her thought leadership within the industry have served her well as a wine PR professional . Her passion for wine has led her to consult on restaurant training programs , teach wine classes in the U . S ., London and Italy , and act as an associate judge in the International wine competition , 5StarWines – the Book .
Among the biggest challenges she ’ s faced and overcame involved learning to not listen to the noise or pay attention or listen to the opinion of others .
“ I distinctly recall being told that transitioning from a bartender to a sommelier was beyond my capabilities , and later , that moving from a restaurant manager to a role in PR was an unattainable feat ,” Erland says . “ Now as a PR director , I reflect on how swiftly I progressed in the moment and stopped worrying about what others thought of me .”
“ This is a lesson I try to share with my team when they inquire about my career trajectory ,” she adds . “ Always try your best to avoid being swayed by those opinions ; instead , concentrate on the work at hand and your path ahead .”
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