Laura Booras

Experience

• 

  Nordstrom

  Jan 2003 - Apr 2004

  Sales Associate

  + Attended corporate training focused on exceeding customer expectations and working within a luxury brand environment.+ Recognized for top sales performance within Southeastern United States.

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  Consilience wines

  Jun 2004 - Apr 2006

  Tasting Room Consultant

  + Tasked with maintaining all consumer communications, including website content management and email marketing.+ Responsible for state compliance across all direct to consumer sales with a focus on shipping and excise taxes.+ Optimized inventory processes and reporting, resulting in decreased staff workload and more accurate projections.

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  Zaca Mesa Winery

  Apr 2006 - Aug 2007

  Director of Retail and Hospitality

  + Reported directly to General Manager, oversaw all direct to consumer sales channels.+ Proposed and oversaw tasting room renovation, re-imagining a decades old storefront aimed at doubling merchandising space and streamlining service processes.+ Introduced new tasting fee structure resulting in 64% growth of annual DTC revenues.

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  Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

  Jan 2007 - Feb 2022

  + Hired and managed a team of over 30 employees and consultants to facilitate full product life cycle from farming through to production and sales. + Spearheaded the opening of a second tasting room location in Santa Barbara’s up and coming “Funk Zone,” doubling wine production capacity and surpassing $2M in wine sales. + Expanded national wholesale distribution channel, targeting strategic locations to increase wine tourism, resulting in a 10% increase in annual revenue. Show less

  • Chief Executive Officer

    Jan 2018 - Feb 2022

  • General Manager

    Jan 2009 - Jan 2018

  • Brand Manager

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2009
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  Freedom Beverage Company

  Jan 2010 - now

  + Drove 14% revenue growth in 2022 compared to 2021.+ Introduced sales operations into the Atlantic Beach, NC region. + Broadened product portfolio by integrating key suppliers like Abita Brewing and introducing underrepresented regions, such as Greek wines, leading to the opening of new accounts and a pronounced increase in sales.+ Implemented Encompass ERP, enhancing order and inventory management, which bolstered sales figures and streamlined office operations.+ Rolled out educational initiatives, such as food and wine pairing training, spurring increased event sales and customer engagement.+ Revitalized the Charlotte sales team, integrating new roles including a territory manager position.+ Represented the company as a judge for the NC Fine Wine Competition and participated in the NC Beer and Wine Wholesaler’s Conference. Show less

  • Vice President

    Aug 2023 - now

  • VP of Sales

    Jan 2021 - Jul 2023

  • Winery Liason

    Jan 2010 - Oct 2021