The Alexi Cashen Podcast Alexi Cashen

James Miles is the Chairman, Managing Director, and Co-founder of Liv-ex, the leading marketplace and data source for secondary sales of fine wine. Liv-ex has a membership that spans across 560 wine companies from 43 countries. Members can trade confidently and anonymously with other wine businesses worldwide.
James attended Harris Manchester College in the UK, and in 1991 he started his career with Jardine Fleming Investment Management in Hong Kong (which later became Banque Paribas and then BNP Paribas). He is also the Director of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
In this episode… Do you struggle with juggling logistics, buying, and selling in the wine industry? Are you a wine brand looking for a worldwide marketplace to connect with consumers?
Engaging with consumers through the three-tier system can be complicated. It can be difficult for many brands and individuals to analyze, visualize, and trust that you’re working with tried and trusted merchants. That’s why James Miles curated the Liv-ex platform that created a comprehensive database of brands and their products to reach and engage consumers through wine. In fact, they are the world’s largest open-sourced database of wine information. Want to learn more?
Listen to this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast as Alexi sits down with James Miles, Chairman, Managing Director, and Co-founder of Liv-ex. Hear his narration of launching an online stock exchange for wine. James talks about solving consumer problems in real-time, how to unclog the supply chain issues of shipping overseas, and how a platform can connect and educate consumers on brand behavior.

Sarah Shadonix is the Founder and CEO of Scout & Cellar, a Clean-Crafted™, woman-founded and led winery that has created a higher standard for how wine is made by creating a more authentic, sustainable, and delicious approach to the wine-making process. After several years of practicing commercial litigation, Sarah decided to pursue her passion for wine instead. In 2014, she earned her Advanced Certificate from the Wines & Spirit Education Trust and became a Certified Specialist of Wine. Armed with both passion and extensive knowledge, Sarah began working in the wine industry in California, curating wine offerings for online retailers, honing the skills to help contribute to the success of Scout & Cellar.
In this episode… Creating an authentic wine brand starts in the vineyard. So, how can you craft exceptional wines for a satisfying customer experience? 
Sarah Shadonix is pioneering a community of like-minded wine enthusiasts dedicated to crafting wines without the use of pesticides, artificial ingredients, or added sugar. From grape to bottle, Sarah is committed to delivering a Clean-Crafted™ wine focused on sustainability. Today, Sarah shares how you can deliver environmentally-friendly wines for the consumer. 
In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi sits down with Sarah Shadonix, Founder and CEO of Scout & Cellar, to discuss delivering a quality product through authenticity and transparency. Sarah shares the story behind launching an e-commerce wine brand, how to successfully deliver a consultant-based model, and the importance of making the consumer journey unique and engaging.

Bryan Monteleone is the Co-founder of Drinkubator, a company that lives at the collision of beverages and technology and leverages digital strategy for spirits, RTDs, wine, and non-alcoholic brands to help them make better business decisions based on live data and analytics.
Bryan oversees business development and relationship management and brings his ability and experience in developing, building, and selling technology solutions to Drinkubator and its roster of clients. As a passionate tech geek, startup junkie, and serial entrepreneur, Bryan bridges an eye for emerging technology and online tactics together with his background in the craft alcohol business to help Drinkubator brand partners grow their footprint in the ever-growing and uber-competitive beverage industry.
In this episode… How can your brand stay relevant in today’s competitive digital market? Is it possible to tap into data to make better decisions and invest in a market where your beverage brand will succeed?
The spirits digital market can be difficult to navigate. So, how can you find your niche and unlock your digital potential? Bryan Monteleone is a trailblazer in the digital industry and helps build successful spirits brands.  
By being digitally forward and paying attention to the data and analytics of where your customers are, you can accelerate your brand growth and drive sales. The industry is competitive, so it can be a game-changer if your brand focuses on reaching customers through monetizing available data. 
In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, join Alexi as she sits down with Bryan Monteleone, Co-founder of Drinkubator, to discuss navigating and overcoming digital marketing challenges for a spirits brand. Bryan talks about meeting brand needs in a digital space, the importance of flexible marketing strategies, and the endless possibilities of content delivery for spirits brands.

Anna Lundstrom and her husband founded Folksy Hard Kombucha, a better-for-you alcoholic beverage that’s more thoughtful and more enjoyable. At Folksy, they are committed to pure ingredients and honest practices that put people and the planet first. Their better-for-you alcoholic drink is made from a light combination of organic fruit juices and natural botanicals, and it’s low in sugar and brewed to a breezy 5% — so you can feel good today and tomorrow, too!
In this episode… Do you want to make an alcoholic beverage with more natural ingredients and lower sugar? How can you launch towards your north star while remaining true to your values and beliefs?
Anna Lundstrom of Folksy Hard Kombucha created a refreshing, sweet alcoholic drink without the weight of processed ingredients and added sugar. She believes consumers can have clean ingredients and natural botanicals with zero compromises. Anna stayed true to her principles and aligned herself with partnerships that encouraged growth opportunities. Today, Anna is here to share the birth of her product and how you can remain true to your vision.
In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Alexi sits down with Anna Lundstrom, Co-founder of Folksy Hard Kombucha, to discuss creating an alcoholic beverage without compromising on ingredients. Anna talks about crafting a selection of kombucha using organic ingredients, the importance of aligning your brand with your core values, and letting the customer define how your brand speaks.

Carlos de Jesus is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Amorim Cork, the largest cork producer in the world. He played rugby at the national level before cutting his teeth at Breakstone & Ruth LLP, a leading New York-based investor and shareholder relations firm where he worked in media and investor relations and corporate communications. 
Originally hailing from Portugal, his natural curiosity and interest in environmental sustainability led him back there 16 years ago to contribute to the global defense of cork forests and the species that rely on their existence.
In this episode… Wine-making has been around for thousands of years — and cork seals bottles effectively. Cork may be an environmentally friendlier option than single-use plastic, but not without many challenges. How can a brand continue fostering change and innovative technologies?
Modernizing the cork industry and educating consumers on the environmental impacts is crucial as cork brands face a sustainability problem. Carlos de Jesus pours his passion into helping winemakers focus on growth while cultivating a better ecosystem through cork stoppers. More importantly, cork is harvested without felling trees. By carefully stripping it, the tree can balance the ecosystem by continuing to grow until the next harvest.
On this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, join Alexi Cashen as she talks with Carlos de Jesus, Director of Marketing and Communications at Amorim, about producing cork and the fundamentals of cork forests. Carlos discusses the positive impact cork has on the environment, the balance between nature and technology, and what is threatening the sustainability of the cork industry.

Alexi Cashen is the Co-founder and CEO of Elenteny Imports, a multifaceted logistics company dedicated to growing its partners’ businesses in the wine, beer, and spirits industry. She is also the Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of St. Hildie's Spiked Tincture Tonics, boozy craft tonics made with natural ingredients and botanical tinctures. 
Alexi is fondly called the “Chief Executive Optimist” — spreading the gospel of empathetic customer service, sales panache, and meticulous operations. She scours ideas and drives home solutions, strategy, and above all else, positivity! Alexi is also the host of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, where she talks with inspirational people in the wine, beer, and spirits space.
In this episode… Ever wondered how — and why — brands scale and thrive in the wine and alcohol beverage industry? Where can you find the tools for success of brands that engage in the same struggles?
This week, Alexi Cashen highlights brand e-commerce, retail models, and entrepreneurial struggles and solutions in the wine and beverage industry. From flavors and ingredients, mentorships and inspiring women’s roles, and importing and distribution, this episode has it all. Dig into this collection of inspiring stories and industry aspects.
In this episode of The Alexi Cashen Podcast, Rise25 Co-founder John Corcoran sits down with host Alexi Cashen to talk about Alexi’s most memorable past episodes and encouraging conversations. Alexi shares how brands pivoted during challenging times to produce growth, ways women are refashioning the industry, and how the alcohol beverage industry is embracing diversity and inclusion.