Back in New York! I finally finished my 25 day swing through France and am back in New York. The trip was awfully tiring but I stayed energized thinking about how glamorous a job it is to be a wine importer. I know it is a glamorous job, because I constantly receive e-mails from people who want to break into the glamourous wine importing business. For instance, I received the following inquire during my absense: Dear Joe: As a dental supply executive and a commercial landlord, and as the in-house lawyer for both of these enterprises, I have read "Grape Varieties, Lawyers and Medications" and asked myself this: were you being sarcastic when you called the day glamorous? To me it sounded pretty darn that (except for the doctor's visit, of course). Don't get me wrong, I'll never tire of answering the ubiquitous cocktail party "So, what do you do?" with that perfect trifecta of sexy careers mentioned above. Oh, the ass I could get! If only I weren't happily married. (By the way, don't ask for the plastic cups dentist's use - we don't handle them.) And yet, I'm interested in starting something new, as a sideline, something perhaps closer to my heart, something I might be able to stand having a conversation about: importing wines from Spain. I grew up speaking Spanish (ever met a Mexican Jew before?) and I've spent a fair amount of time in Spain. I'd like to spend more. I've been reading up on the biz for some time, especially the legal regulations. Then I came upon a rarer source, one from the actual industry, The Wine Importer. Pump this guy for info, I told myself right away. So here's my idea (assuming you're still with me): One of our buildings is in Manhattan, on 21st between 5th and 6th. A fine restaurant neighborhood, as you probably know. It has a shop window that's been closed up for many years. My plan is to have the window restored, and to install a beautiful, first-class display. "Cavador, LLC ~ Wines from Spain's Finest Boutique Producers ~ To the Trade Only." The same building has a very nice corporate apartment on the top floor (for out-of-town guests of the dental business). I could get access to this for tastings. Another of our buildings has a lot of empty storage space in the basement, where it's cool and dark. I set all this up, then sit back and wait for Danny Meyer to call. Okay, so that's not going to happen. But does this sound like the foundation for a realistic business plan? Can I do this and still keep my day job? Or am I likely to blow through my life savings just getting labels approved, with nothing to show for it in the end? Already, with my limited knowledge of the regulatory landscape, I see so many issues! Are they just hoops you can jump through if you try? Or is it really a minefield of business-killers? (I'm not sure what's in it for you, to help me with this.) Sincerely, N.................
I know at least 12 Mexican Jews.
Cuban Jews are where it's at.
Importing Boutique Spanish wines is a great idea. I wish I had someone out here to 'pump for ideas'. Any northwest contacts? I'm a Scandinavian Portuguese.
R. John:
Not yet. |