In This Episode  Hosts, Kendra and Spencer are joined by Billy Petix, current Division Vice President of the Southeast at Campari Group. With immense experience within the alcohol industry, Billy takes the hosts through his career journey, industry-unique experiences, and advice for industry-interested people. Tune in to hear a passionate conversation about the importance of hard work and adapting in the alcohol industry! Topic 1: Introduction (0:00) Topic 2: Billy’s Career Journey (0:42) Topic 3: Current Role at Campari (3:29) Topic 4: College life, Pre-career jobs (6:05) Topic 5: Working as a Sales Rep (7:59) Topic 6: Advice for People looking to get into the industry (9:57) Topic 7: Managing Brands at Campari (13:29) Topic 8: Unique Experience because of the Industry (16:43) Topic 9: Never wanting to Retire (20:31) Topic 10: Billy’s favorite drink (25:08) Topic 11: Future of the Alcohol Industry (26:35) Topic 12: Outro (31:25) Podcast Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ObdM-cZN_WYD-4cQpGNa3wHBcLcMTN6I/view?usp=share_link  Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf  Like & follow our Facebook page!  Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more! 

In This Episode:  Kendra and Abby host an informational conversation with Justin DiTondo. Justin has been employed by Fedway Associates, a largely known liquor distributor in NJ, for 18 years. On account of current position the past 2 years as digital marketing director he is able to answer tailored questions to his experience! Justin provided a deep dive into the backgrounds of what goes into making a social media account thrive. He initiated thoughtful conversation about the future of social media apps such as Tiktok. Justin also discussed some of his favorite aspects and experiences working in the industry!  Topic 1: Introduction (0:00) Topic 2: About Justin and his career journey that got him to his current position (0:31) Topic 3: Brands that Justin works with (1:05) Topic 4: Role and responsibilities of digital marketing director and e-commerce (1:40) Topic 5: More about B2B (2:20) Topic 6: Establishing Thirsty NJ (2:46)  Topic 7: Evolution of engagement from Justin’s experience (5:01) Topic 8: Justin’s use of a social media strategy and what meticulous details are expected on social media (6:35) Topic 9: The benefits of boosting posts and accuracy of retention (9:33) Topic 10: Alternative efforts to increase engagement (10:46) Topic 11: Justin's insightful opinion of TikTok (11:26) Topic 12: Social media preferences to Justin (12:28)  Topic 13: Justin's own personal favorite career projects or experiences (13:04) Topic 14: Justin discusses his favorite aspects of working digital marketing in the alcohol industry (14:32) Topic 15: Unique travel experiences and opportunities that the industry has opened up for Justin (16:30)  Topic 16: Justin's go to drink (17:45) Topic 17: Things Justin is excited for in the future of digital marketing (18:52)  Topic 18: Concluding conversations with Kendra and Abby (20:28) Topic 19: Outro (21:48) Podcast Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TUQxKxfa9HwRejj78mKMKHYmN5U8u3gHjDRkPyxDZH4/edit Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf  Like & follow our Facebook page!  Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more!

In This Episode: Kendra and Virginia discuss the world of wine with expert Tony Loscavio. He tells us the pairing tips he has learned after 10 years working at the Point Resort! We learn about the places he has traveled to taste wine and understand the way to pair wine based on flavor pallets. He discusses some of his personal favorite ways to pair wine, including comfort and delicacy. Tony breaks down the flavor profile of various wines and focuses on which wines younger people, newer to the world of wine, may grab and enjoy! Topic 1: Introduction (0:00) Topic 2: About Tony and his responsibilities at The Point (36:04) Topic 3: How to explore wine while traveling and how to make wines more approachable (3:33) Topic 4: Entry-level wines for young people (5:20) Topic 5: What factors to look for when pairing wines with dishes (8:48) Topic 6: What is viscosity and how to understand the viscosity of wine (10:58) Topic 7: Why the glassware shape and size make a difference in taste for champagne (14:01) Topic 8: Why the glassware shape and size make a difference in taste for red and white wine (15:47) Topic 9:  Wine pairings that personally excite Tony (16:50) Topic 10: What is Tony’s favorite drink other than wine (18:53) Topic 11: Unusual choice of wine Tony recommends for a young person to try (19:29) Topic 12: One of Tony’s favorite memories while traveling to explore wine (20:40) Topic 13: What are Tony’s future plans (23:24) Topic 14: Conclusion (24:22) Topic 15: Outro (25:40) Podcast Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QDcOeziZYH3743eRCpUqsvkAOWZdfMXK/view?usp=sharing Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf Like & follow our Facebook page! Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more!

In This Episode Beer, Brewing, & Breweries. Abbey and Kendra discuss Paddled South Brewing Company. A Brewery located in High Point, NC was started by Dave Nissen. Dave talks about how he started, how he brews his beer and his current favorite beer. With locally sourced fruit, Dave discusses why he created Paddled South, and it was not only to make beer but to have a positive impact on the community. Join Dave at Paddled South every Tuesday for trivia night! Topic 1: Introduction (0:00) Topic 2: About Dave (1:00) Topic 4: How Covid impacted the open (5:17) Topic 5: How the beer is brewed (6:14) Topic 6: The types of beer he brews (7:55) Topic 7: Types of Purees used (9:31) Topic 8: Seasonal Beers (10:01) Topic 9: Experimental Beer (11:47) Topic 10: Favorite Beer ever made (13:12) Topic 11: What are hops (14:29) Topic 12: Source ingredients (15:30) Topic 13: Did he see himself opening a brewery (16:45) Topic 14: How different it is actually owning a brewery (17:17) Topic 15:What events do you have weekly (19:05) Topic 16: Local Partnerships (20:33) Topic 17: How he wants to help the city (21:00) Topic 18: How to follow his journey (23:05) Topic 19: Outro (24:10) Podcast Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18KF8aBQ2gHIyHxl08fdyhY9G6ixhtlgddIQJ9LkEHjE/edit?usp=sharing  Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf Like & follow our Facebook page! Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more!

Episode 2: Halt the Malt with Lauren Kotler In This Episode The world of Seltzers has become huge this past decade. Abbey and Kendra discuss Neatly Spiked with the CEO Lauren Kotler. Lauren’s goal is to allow people to enjoy a seltzer without the bloat and terrible hangover. She talks about her journey to building her company from the ground up and pursuing her career after college. Lauren is a High Point Alum and talks about how the communication school helped her get to where she is today. Join Kendra and Abbey in trying neatly spiked by ordering it online or buying it in stores in New Jersey. Topic 1: Introduction (0:00) Topic 2: How she came up with Neatly (0:50) Topic 4: What she did before Neatly (2:42) Topic 5: Significance behind green branding color (3:52) Topic 6: What lightly carbonated means (4:58) Topic 7: Expansion of Neatly (7:14) Topic 8: Flavors (8:10) Topic 9: How she gets the flavor naturally (9:44) Topic 10: Who helped you get to where you are (11:20) Topic 11: How High Point education helped (16:10) Topic 12: Trying Seltzers (19:45) Topic 13: Future of Neatly (21:21) Topic 14: Outro (23:28) Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1otfVnlZ8nSwuamRIOp66n7f9LBHgFde6cAiHoumlmh8/edit?usp=sharing  Calls to Action: Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf Like & follow our Facebook page! Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more!

Behind the Bar with Kiersten Khoury In this episode: Abbey and Kendra discuss all things bartending. The two hosts interview Kiersten, a bartender who works in Boston and is a current student at High Point University. She shares tips and tricks about bartending and what it is like working in a sports bar compared to a fancy restaurant. Abbey and Kendra discuss new trends in the beverage industry and give their opinion on what the hot new drink of the summer will be. Topic 1: “Favorite drink” (1:01) Topic 2: “Espresso Martini with Tequila” (3:35) Topic 3 “How to read a person in the bar” (4:18) Topic 4: “Impressed by drink orders” (6:53) Topic 5: “ Bartenders don’t know how to make every drink” (7:52) Topic 6: “Working in New England Environment” (8:10) Topic 7: “Embarrassing customer stories” (10:07) Topic 8: “Bartending secrets” (12:37) Topic 9: “Trendy drink for summer/spring” (14:45) Topic 10: “How Kiersten got the bartending job” (16:00) Topic 11: “Fake IDs” (18:00) Topic 12: “Interest in the craft of a cocktail” (19:20) Topic 13: Classic drinks” (21:09) Topic 14: “Warn consumers” (22:20) Topic 15: “Wrap up of what was discussed” (25:26) Episode 1 Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vylVzoNFUvpbHURd_R2iy63z2_aaKlhL1vWdk_s0RTo/edit?usp=sharing Subscribe to the podcast! Follow our Instagram @fromthe_topshelf Follow our Twitter @fromttopshelf Like & follow our Facebook page!  Check out our website for blogs, recipes & more!