Brian Sward

Experience

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  Pride Surf and Skate

  Jun 2001 - Aug 2007

  Departmental Sales Manager

  Generated 40% of the monthly sales, averaging $18,000 during peak season.Managed teams of up to 3 persons in order to develop business and maintain high level of customer service.Assisted in the purchasing, merchandising, shipping process as well as inventory.

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  Swardfish Screening

  Sept 2003 - Dec 2005

  Business Entrepreneur

  Professional apparel printing. "Fish is the name & printing is my game."Created and devolved of a profitable business designing and printing tshirts.Ran business A-Z: communication, design, sales, shipping and finance.Directed orders of up 500 units.

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  HESS International Educational Organization

  Feb 2009 - Feb 2011

  Native Speaking Teacher
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  Château Canon

  Aug 2012 - Sept 2012

  Vineyard Worker
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  HMS Victory

  Apr 2013 - Dec 2013

  Barman and Shift Manager

  Worked responsibly ensuring quality of service, client supervision, and end of day accounting.

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  Vinexpo

  Jun 2013 - Jun 2013

  Mandarin and English Press Center Liaison
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  Château Canon

  Aug 2013 - Dec 2013

  Cellar Hand

  Fostered some of world’s most coveted grapes on their journey to becoming Bacchus’ favorite drink; from inoculation to pumping over, malolactic fermentation to racking.

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  Stella Bella Wines

  Feb 2014 - Aug 2014

  Managed stocks, carried out orders, and directed small teams for export packaging.Reorganized the warehouse premise and put new systems into place to optimize productivity. Filled in for the warehouse manager while he was on sabbatical. Worked from harvest all the way to bottling the previous year's wines.

  • Warehouse Manager

    Jun 2014 - Aug 2014

  • Cellar Hand

    Feb 2014 - May 2014
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  Katch-Up Seafood Grill & Wine

  Jun 2014 - Oct 2014

  Project Manager

  Managed a small scale remodel.Oversaw tradesmen, ensuring that quality and up to Australian regulations work was done, researched new appliances and fixtures and negotiating prices and terms with suppliers, assisted in the creation of the wine list while maintaining open and transparent communication between local businesses and internationally located owners.Remodel budget $40,000 AUD

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  Vin Ministre

  Sept 2014 - Sept 2014

  Business Representative

  Co-hosted a booth at the Guiyang International Wine Expo to represent the Bordeaux-based wine merchant.

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  Redsap Natural Wine Merchant

  Oct 2014 - Mar 2015

  Business Developer

  Developed business plan under the direction of the CEO: market research, SWOT analysis, and branding

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  Tasted 100% Blind

  May 2015 - Aug 2015

  Marketing and Sales Manager Australia

  Bordeaux based company of Andreas Larson World’s Best SommelierTook up the challenge to break into the new market of Australia with a marketing product: a short video world’s best sommelier tasting, describing, and rating your wine on a 100 point scale.Created & managed the company’s Australian portfolio: completed sales cycle from prospecting to close and sale for 10 wineries.Participated in the creation of marketing collateral for email communication for 200 targeted clients.

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  AMVM

  Sept 2015 - Dec 2015

  Sales Manager & Export Consultant

  Wine sales and consulting primarily for the Danish Market with suppliers including the Lurton family Bordeaux negociant “La Passion des Terroirs,” the Languedoc cooperative winery “Alma Cersius,” the organic winery in Corbières Boutenac “Château Caraguilhes,” the historical Rhone Valley producer since 1471 “Ravoire et Fils,” the eclectic wine maker “Jeff Carrel,” and Spanish producers “Cristo de la Vega” and “Bocopa.”Visited B2B clients, presented wines at Børsen historical Copenhagen stock exchange tasting as well as supermarket tasting evening event. Show less

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  Olatu S.L.

  Mar 2016 - Feb 2021

  In-House International Sales & Client Management

  B2B specialist for Pukas, Channel Islands, Surf Hardware (FCS, Gorilla, Softech), Lost..., Captain Fin, and Indio. Christenson and McTavish are also part of the portfolio.

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  Airbnb

  Dec 2017 - Dec 2020

  Project Manager, Investor and Vacation Rental Owner

  Set up a business plan, calculated risks, maintained an exit strategy, and invested in a below-market value property.Fully renovated and designed a 1901 traditional Basque farmhouse fixer-upper in San Sebastian, Spain.Negotiated and project managed in Spanish with banks, agents, suppliers and vendors.Ran an Airbnb rental as “superhost” for two years.Set up Marketing package and branding: House guide, email, city tips booklet, etc.Sold with a 35% ROI.

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  Charles Schwab

  Mar 2022 - now

  Series 7 & 66

  • Financial Consultant Partner

    Jul 2024 - now

  • Client Service Specialist

    Mar 2022 - Jun 2024