Biggest Challenges Faced by a Proprietor and General Manager at Crux Winery
Brian's biggest challenges as Crux Winery's proprietor and general manager are navigating the "complicated" regulatory landscape of alcohol production—with its "federal, state, and county" reporting requirements—and differentiating the winery's product in a competitive market filled with "lots of great small family-run wineries" without a substantial marketing budget.
Industry Realities, Workplace Challenges, Overcoming Challenges, Executive/Leadership, Marketing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Brian Callahan
Proprietor and General Manager
Crux Winery
Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
N/A
History, Art History
Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Sales and Client Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. The extensive bureaucracy and regulations involved in producing and selling alcoholic beverages, including federal, state, and county regulations and tax reporting.
2. The competitive nature of the wine industry, with many wineries vying for consumer attention, necessitates the need for effective marketing strategies to stand out.
3. The importance of marketing and promotional skills for a small winery to successfully reach its target market and maintain business viability in a competitive market.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role as a winery owner?
There are a couple of things. One is the level of bureaucracy that companies producing alcoholic beverages are required to follow. I mentioned there are federal, state, and county entities interested, especially in collecting the taxes owed on alcohol.
This results in a lot of complicated reporting. The other challenge is the wine business itself. There are many wineries, and distinguishing your product as superior is difficult.
There are a lot of great, small, family-run wineries making fantastic wines these days. Without a large marketing budget and marketing skills, staying afloat requires constant effort.