Store Manager , Sodie ' s Wine and Spirits

First industry job : Sodie ’ s part-time cashier Favorite drink : Vodka and tonic

Shaina Jones has significantly impacted Sodie ' s Wine & Spirits through major improvements as their store manager . In her current tole , Jones manages a team of department managers whom she has trained to drive sales and meet revenue targets .

“ One of the most significant challenges I ' ve encountered in my career was mastering the art of delegation ,” says Jones . “ Early on , I tended to take on too much myself , believing it was more efficient to handle tasks independently . However , as my responsibilities grew , I realized the importance of effectively distributing work among team members .”

During her time as a store manager , Sodie ' s Wine & Spirits has received various prestigious awards . These include making the Top 100 Retailers in Beverage Dynamics for five years in a row , as well regional recognitions , such as River Valley ' s Best of the Best . “ I believe a focus on quality , innovation , and effective marketing fosters success ,” Jones says . “ I stay informed about industry trends , regulations , and consumer preferences to adapt and stay competitive . Additionally , I prioritize customer satisfaction and maintain high standards in production and service .”

Vice President of Sales East , JuneShine

First industry job : McLaughlin & Moran ( AB wholesaler in RI ) sales representative Favorite drink : Bacardi and Diet Coke

After achieving his career goal of working for Anheuser Busch , most recently as senior district manager for Massachusetts / Rhode Island , Steven Balram left the company in 2019 to join startup hard kombucha brand JuneShine .

“ It was hard to walk away from stability and my dream job , but I did and it was the best decision I ever made ,” he says .

During his tenure , JuneShine has grown into a category leader and is now branching out into RTD cocktails . Over nearly two decades in sales , Balram credits his success to preparation .

“ I live by the mantra ‘ control your controllables ,’” he says . “ One of my mentors instilled in me early on that I should always have a plan walking into an account . I strongly believe if you plan your work and work your plan , you can be successful .”

A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island , Balram has remained connected in his college community .

“ Steve has been one of our most active alumni ,” says Johnson & Wales Associate Professor Brian Warrener . “ He has repeatedly returned to campus to speak with students and has mentored them whenever asked . He is a credit to the University and an advocate for our university and students .”

to Celebrate !

Join us on JUNE 17 IN CHICAGO at a special reception celebrating this year ’ s 40 Under 40 recipients during EPGs annual educational conferences – the Activate National Accounts Meeting , Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference and Cheers Beverage Summit .

Retailers , operators , control state officials and wholesalers can register to receive additional information at BevRetailersConference . com .

Suppliers , contact Jeremy Nedelka at jnedelka @ epgacceleration . com to learn about sponsorship opportunities and on-site activations .

18 2023 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40