Patrick Watson

About Patrick Watson

Hospitality professional with a history of launching successful restaurants, specialty food markets and wine & spirits stores. Experienced in wine, spirits & cheese education, business operations, go-to-market startup strategies, product development, hospitality initiatives and business management. Successfully launched and developed 9 NYC and Brooklyn based businesses grossing $12m+ per year throughout 20••••24. Oversight in renovations, design, start-up systems, team training and operations across 60+ employees through a multitude of departments.

Experience

1. Buyer, Director of Events & Education

   Smith & Vine

   May 2004 — Present · Brooklyn, NY, US

   Opened square foot wine & spirits shop continuously voted in top 10 wine shops in NYC by NY Magazine, Time Out Magazine, CBS Local & Grub Street.• Achieved a 30% average growth per year for first 6 years directing sales strategies for a team of 10.• Recognized as the new generation of wine and liquor stores with sommelier focused selections, hospitality, and education at the forefront of customer relations.• Consulted European wineries on American market trends throughout the exploding wine boom over the last 18 years.• Helped wineries create popular blends, and marketing plans to better educate and place products in the NYC marketplace. • Assisted American importers achieve top sell through commitments from vintage to vintage and develop brand awareness locally.

Education

• McGill University

  Bachelor's degree, Classical Music

• McGill University

  Voice and Opera

Skills

• Sales
• Food & Beverage
• Food
• Customer Service
• Cheese
• Event Planning
• Catering
• Wine
• Event Management
• Public Speaking
• Wine Sales
• Wine Tasting
• Wine Tours
• Retail
• Marketing
• Wine Education
• Business Development
• Restaurant Management
• Wine & Spirits Industry
• Social Media
• Party Planning
• Craft Beer
• Management
• Wine Pairing
• Marketing Strategy
• Restaurants