Steven Clarke’s Post

🌟 Exploring the Heart of Virginia Beach Through Its Black-Owned Businesses 🌟 Virginia Beach is a community teeming with vibrancy and entrepreneurial prowess, particularly among its Black-owned businesses. As we navigate through all months of the year, not just Black History Month or National Black Business Month, it's important to recognize and support the incredible diversity and creativity that these businesses bring to the table. From innovative all-good Granola Bars made from beer byproducts by Bryan Daniels to Chef Skip 757's deep-fried delights, the range of culinary treasures is vast. You'll find Ceremony's non-alcoholic beverages, the fine dining at Cobalt Grille, and the vegan creativity at CLTRE. Vegan Joint. But that's not all – Virginia Beach offers tailored elegance at The Dapper Luq Collection, Caribbean flavors at Desmond's Island Soul Grill, extraordinary sandwiches at Happy Cafe, youthful culinary visions at J&K Style Grill, and eco-conscious shopping at <Less Than. The commitment to culture and the community doesn't stop there – Montego Island Grill serves authentic Caribbean dishes, Philly Cold Cuts delivers signature cheesesteaks, and Smoothie Stop Café offers fresh healthy sips inspired by a 105-year-old matriarch. Supporting these businesses is more than an economic act; it's a celebration of heritage, artistry, and visionary spirit. So whenever you're in Virginia Beach, dive into this delightful array of experiences, from healthful smoothies and bespoke suits to the rich flavors of the Caribbean. Every visit is an opportunity to honor these local treasures and embrace the unique contributions of Black-owned businesses. Remember, our choices can have a ripple effect in the community. Let's make those ripples together and support the diversity that enriches Virginia Beach and beyond. #VirginiaBeach #BlackOwnedBusinesses #SupportLocal #CulinaryDelights #Entrepreneurship #CulturalTapestry #SustainableChoices #CommunityStrength #DiversityInBusiness #CelebrateHeritage https://ayr.app/l/a2Hv

We are proud this #FamilyBusinessFriday to publish the fifth in our series of six brilliant future-looking family business leaders, forming our #FamilyBusinessWeek - ‘Ones to Watch’. Perhaps working just a mile from Dorset’s Jurassic Coast helps foster a different sense of time, but Emily Palmer Ramus, Chief Executive of Palmers Brewery, clearly has a long-term perspective. Named CEO only recently, Emily is the fifth generation descendent of John Cleeves and Robert Henry Palmer, brothers who bought an existing brewing company back in the late 19th Century. There has been beer brewing on site non-stop since 1794. Dorset-based Palmers employs 50 people directly, and their 52 pubs (all tenanted) employ a further c1,000. While the selection of beers Palmers produces may evolve, The Dorset Pale craft keg was added a few years back, the heart of the business has remained the same. “People and custodianship are always at the heart and have been for generations”, Emily explains. Staff service is measured in decades at Palmers. Half of the staff have been there over 10 years, with many over 20, and some over 30. Emily says: “Long service creates the family atmosphere at the brewery, and means we have a workforce with a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience as they’ve often held multiple roles.” Read more about Emily and her family business journey Palmers Brewery, in our "Ones to Watch" https://bit.ly/EmilyPra   Family Business Week is Sponsored by NatWest Business.   #nextgeneration #innovation #stewardship #familyvalues #familybusiness

I am two weeks into the 2024 vintage! It's life back in the truck, sleepless nights, dinner at random places and way too much time away from the ones I love. This could be an industry defining vintage! It is savage out there. There are those trying to drive change. I must admit, when I sat down and reviewed Australian Grape & Wine & Wine Australia One sector plan over a curry at the Golden Elephant in Berri, I already had its neck on the chopping block (there is a lot of negative noise pulling this plan down). I can't say I was blown away! It takes some concentration to read, there is repetition, it trys to please a lot of people but it has some excellent points. I'm so pleased to see building regional stories, attracting investment, tackling trade barriers and identifying grants where identified as critical matters. To be honest, it would not be an easy job to write a plan for the future of the wine industry. No matter where you are, what you think or what you do...you should read this plan and provide feedback by the 5th February. The only way to develop a plan that you want (even if you hate version 1) is to provide feedback. Personally, I want more support for establishing new cellar doors in the Riverland and I want greater commonsense when it comes to the movement of grape bins across State boarders. Two points that I'm having limited luck getting any support on!!

Wine has been central to Italian culture and community for ages – it's a fundamental part of celebrations, ceremonies and a symbol of hospitality. I was exposed to winemaking way before I was old enough to drink it. As I grew older, what struck me about winemaking, besides the formidable bonds forged with family and friends, was that making something drinkable out of a pile of non-sterile grapes is not unlike running a business. You don't get quick feedback when you try something different. Much like blending varieties and flavours, the lessons of what to do differently, or what not to do, are not immediately evident but they help dictate whether to pivot or stay the course. Results are influenced by a confluence of external, environmental factors and DNA. Just like soil and weather impact the wine's flavour, a company's capacity to put the right people in the right place and cultivate a strong culture is crucial to success. The journey from grape to bottle or start-up to maturity, is a process of transformation and enrichment.The ability to share and bond with good friends and family is akin to creating value for those you serve and the communities you operate in. Here's to winemaking and cultivating strong communities! #leadership #culture #community #leadershipdevelopment

"Does it look like I give a damn?" - James Bond In Casino Royale, James Bond, after losing a poker game, bluntly orders a martini. When the bartender asks him if he wants it shaken or stirred, Bond delivers that dismissive line. It is a wildcard nod to a franchise built on one liners. I don’t have a lot of one-liners but I do have some serious concerns about our broken food system… and “wildcard” is my middle name (actually it’s Wrey). But there are some set out to fix our food, many of these people (and brands) will be at #CHFAnow in Vancouver this week, and so will I—along with my Ethical Food Group brain trust Bob Stamnes and Ric Williams and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone—especially all my Aisle 42 podcast guests and their teams! At EFG our approach to scaling sustainable food and beverage brands is a bold one, it breaks the agency mold, and it includes strategic creative/operational consulting, award-winning branding/marketing and access to investment or funding support. I can’t wait to hang out with all my good-food people—thank you Canadian Health Food Association team for all your hard work! Also, I just had to share this portrait from a recent shoot with corporate 📸photographer Peter Holst 🙏 Getting me to NOT smile is harder than you’d think 🤪I was trying to channel my inner James Bond (or is that Blue Steel?) #futureoffood #regenerativeagriculture #cpgmarketing #cpgbrands #certifiedorganic #bcorp #grocerybusiness

Laura Chen, CFP® will be hosting an informative and highly relevant lunch-and-learn to discuss the benefits of investing in private equity and to catch up with professionals in her network at Fresco's by Scotto in Midtown on Thursday June 6th. Please let Lauren know if you would like to join her! See her post, below. #tgif #investmentprivateequity #financialplanning

Secrets from the Founders of the World's Largest Wine Brand: Building Wealth with Storytelling! Family Office Club In a recent fireside chat with Richard Wilson at our NYC Super Summit : Barefoot Wines co-founders Michael Houlihan and Bonnie M. Harveyshared invaluable insights on building brand equity, the power of storytelling and the importance of strategic alliances. They emphasized the impact of sharing real stories to connect with employees,  investors, and the broader community. 🔍 Key Takeaways: -Build with the End in Mind: Focus on long-term brand equity. -Storytelling: Engage and pass on values through powerful stories. -Strategic Alliances: Partner with those who benefit from your success. -Community Engagement: Grow through community involvement. Pass on Values: Ensure the next generation carries forward more than just wealth. 🌐 Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gBsQrZgG #BusinessGrowth #Storytelling #StrategicAlliances #CommunityEngagement #WealthBuilding #Billionaires #Centimillionaires #Investors #FamilyOffices #SuperSummit #CapitalRaising #Wine

As we move into the new year & the opportunities & challenges that await here's a chance to revisit some of my thoughts on why we need more business leaders to come out of the shadows and speak out for the sectors they represent - on The Buyer https://lnkd.in/eDQKEwkm #wine #retail #hospitality #wineindustry #winebusiness #drinksindustry #hospitalityindustry

As we move into the new year & the opportunities & challenges that await here's a chance to revisit some of my thoughts on why we need more business leaders to come out of the shadows and speak out for the sectors they represent - on The Buyer https://lnkd.in/e2_kSQTk #wine #retail #hospitality #wineindustry #winebusiness #drinksindustry #hospitalityindustry

I agree with your comments Ash. I have already provided feedback but it was not easy to articulate as the survey (from my perspective) did not seem to be asking the right questions. We have the people, we have the systems, we have the structure and most importantly WE GROW GREAT FRUIT and MAKE GREAT WINE. The problem, as I see it, is that the leadership we have in place right now does not match the set of circumstances (savage in your words) that we are currently experiencing. We need folks that have broad real life industry experience, people that have worked in big and small wine businesses. We also need some outsiders, those people that have succeeded in developing brands and markets. Above all we need great leadership.