Rusty (John) Gilbert’s Post

Eldridge J. Broussard III where do I even start? From day one, you didn’t just see potential in me—you made me see it in myself. You never let me play small, stay comfortable, or settle for easy wins. You pushed me to step beyond what was familiar and show up differently. And you were right—this was never just about wine. It’s about impact, about moving with purpose, and about making sure the work we do leaves something unstoppable behind. Lately, I’ve been leaning even deeper into that—showing up differently, thinking bigger, and helping others do the same. Because the truth is, if you want new results—personally, professionally, whatever—you have to be willing to move differently than what you’ve done in the past. That starts with the right questions, the kind that make you rethink what’s possible and force you to elevate how you show up. That’s what Eldridge J. Broussard III does. He doesn’t just coach—you leave thinking, operating, and moving on another level. I know, because I’m living it. Appreciate you, coach.

FLIP the SCRIPT Adult Beverage Colleagues in LinkedIn Land, Are we painting a picture worth a thousand words? Riddle me this: Exactly what are we selling? a) Gastronomic Glee b) Sumptuous Sophistication c) Enriched Experiences d) Tantalizing Tastebuds e) Savoring Celebration f) Unfiltered Fun g) Revered Moderation ZZ) Health Benefits Arnold puffs cigars because _____. Julia delighted in desserts because _____. Danica races round because _____. Bond values the vesper because _____. Matthew goes pantless because _____. Word to the wise: Let's spend our words winsomely. Exactly what are we selling? Let's see what Harrison, Banks, Matthew, a Bay, a Bud and a Bear have to say. What say you? Share a Fav! https://lnkd.in/gvcHUYSJ https://lnkd.in/gnbmZUYs https://lnkd.in/gmArB8tX https://lnkd.in/gdutk6Sy https://lnkd.in/gxZy5xxi https://lnkd.in/g2SgM47U

The economics of Memorial Day The unofficial start of #summer and a reason for retailers to offer mega-deals (a more serious post will follow tomorrow)... ▪️57% of Americans plan to celebrate (Numerator) ▪️AAA predicts the second highest #travel forecast for Memorial Day since 2000 with 43.8 million people traveling ▪️Food and alcoholic #beverages are the top 2 categories on shopping lists ▪️Beer is the top choice for alcoholic beverages at 76% (those planning to buy alcohol) ▪️Gen Z is twice as likely to choose hard seltzers or canned cocktails (88% vs. 35% avg) while Boomers are more likely to choose wine (51% vs. 42% avg) #Food and #beer prices although starting to stabilize are still up from last year: 🥩Steaks have increased in price 6.5% YoY 🍔Ground beef increased in price 6% YoY 🌭Hot dogs increased in price 7.1% YoY 🍻Beer prices increased in price 3% YoY Later today my husband and I will be taking a trip to Costco Wholesale to shop for the #BBQ we will be hosting. Costco on a Friday afternoon is not for the faint of heart. Wish us luck! I’m looking forward to our tri-boro #parade on Monday. Attending has become a new family #tradition for us. The kiddos love watching all the #trucks, emergency workers, and #veterans parade through town. What retailers do you think speak to Memorial Day well? How do you plan to celebrate and honor the lives of our #heroes? Spending more or less? Is your basket going to be comprised of more #privatelabel #brands or #national brands? Stay tuned – tomorrow I’ll be sharing a letter from my Great-Uncle who lost his life in service to our country. Dated 1943. #memorialday

WHY IT MATTERS

Day 16: Whisky’s Christmas Countdown 🐾 Whisky’s Tip: “Don’t forget to take a paws and reflect!” The holiday season can feel like a whirlwind of activity, but it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect. Celebrate your wins—whether they’re big achievements or small victories—and think about the lessons that shaped your year. Taking time to reflect not only helps you appreciate how far you’ve come but also sets you up for an even more successful new year. So, take a deep breath, wag your tail, and soak in the progress you’ve made. What’s one thing you’re proud of this year? Let’s celebrate it together! #WhiskysChristmasCountdown #SmallBizReflections #CelebrateTheWins #HolidayPause #GingerAndWhisky

Why It Matters

Happy Black Business Month, Asheville! 💛 This Explore Asheville article shares several Black businesses in the area that you can support year-round: https://lnkd.in/eRv3WCYt What would you add to this list? #WednesdayWisdom #BlackBusinessMonth #Asheville #AVL #BlackBusinesses #AVLBusinesses #MarketingTeam #AshevilleMarketing

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, the holiday dedicated to the end of slavery and the liberation, culture, and freedom of African Americans in United States history. Black entrepreneurs, distillers, mixologists, and innovators have made rippling impacts on the beverage industry for as long as we've known, and commemorating their legacy is especially important for today's holiday. Check out this article we wrote for Juneteenth in 2022, spotlighting five Black innovators in the Beverage Industry. Cheers to education, history, and the continuing fight for equity!

 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Wishing our American clients and colleagues a wonderful holiday celebration filled with laughter, barbecue, fireworks, and some R&R with family or friends! ✨ 🎇 🌟 #FourthOfJuly #FamilyTime #Celebrate #IndependenceDay #Barbeque #USA #IndependenceDay #4thOfJuly #QualitativeResearch #QualitativeInsights #FiorenteGlobal #MarketResearch

This week's theme is really about Community Building and Engagement Johnnie Walker Black Label: Stories Behind The Serves Cocktails all stemmed from someone and somewhere, and there are so many iterations which make these stories all the more captivating. The aim is to learn how to harness your own story and weave it through your journey. World Class Great Britain X Diageo Netherlands gave Scottish on-trade the opportunity to hear from industry experts on how their journey began, and how they have each used competitions in a unique way to craft their careers and their supporting networks. To make this event happen, we needed exceptional talent. Danilo Frigulti (World Class GB Winner 2024) opened the day with his World Class story from GB to the Global Top 8. Then our industry panel opened up about their own experiences to give real insight into what can happen when you push yourself to enter these competitions. Day moved into night and we created our own stories and memories through a takeover at Old Pal with our Johnnie Walker Black Label Netherlands Sour Competition Winners Halil Özgür and Luca Acquaviva. This collaborative event would not have come together as seamlessly as it did without the incredible input from Stefanie Margaret Elaine Anderson Ryan Montgomery & Maurits Wetemans Stories are ever-lasting, they connect us in ways we don't always fully comprehend. On Monday January 20th 2025, we all carved our own stories into the fabric of Scottish on-trade. #KeepWalking