These days, people enter the hospitality industry from many different backgrounds and with many different goals. Often, they find unique ways of applying those backgrounds and skill sets to their work, and as a result, the bar industry as a whole is improved and changed in unpredictable ways. Finding your place in this industry can be daunting, and weighing the pros and cons of opportunities can be a challenging task. However, with patience, good mentors, and a sense of adventure, the bar industry can take your career in countless amazing directions. In this session, Gregory will break down his journey from a life in plant biology research into bartending and eventually into owning his own bar, running a consulting company, launching a product, and founding a cocktail festival. He will share some of the key lessons that he’s learned throughout his career that will guide bartenders, managers, and owners to take that next step or take a chance on that next big idea.
