In this episode of Hospitality Bites, host Colleen Silk sits down with Brad Nugent, a hospitality veteran and innovative beverage strategist, to discuss his journey from washing dishes at the age of 15 to becoming a beverage director and the founder of Innovative Beverage Strategies. They explore the art of performance in hospitality, the importance of sales training, and the challenges currently facing the industry.

Brad shares how skills from improv and theater can enhance guest engagement, explains why pricing strategies don't always necessitate raising prices, and emphasizes how empowering staff can lead to better guest experiences.

This conversation is a mix of personal anecdotes and professional insights, serving as a reminder that adaptability, innovation, and mentorship are key to shaping the future of the hospitality industry.

What We Discussed:

• Brad’s journey from dishwasher to beverage director
• Theater + improv skills in guest engagement
• Sales training vs. wine education
• Overcoming industry challenges
• Launching Innovative Beverage Strategies
• Smarter pricing strategies for profitability
• Empowering staff to elevate guest experience

• Sales training is just as important as wine education for staff.
• Resilience is essential in navigating industry challenges.
• Innovative Beverage Strategies was born out of necessity post-COVID.
• Smart pricing strategies boost profitability without burdening guests.
• Empowered staff deliver elevated guest experiences.
• Adaptability and innovation are non-negotiables in the modern restaurant industry.
• Building a personal legacy through mentorship is as valuable as the business itself.

00:00 — Introduction to Hospitality Bites + Guest Background

00:59 — Brad Nugent’s Journey in Hospitality

06:34 — The Art of Performance in Hospitality

10:32 — Sales Training vs. Wine Education

14:16 — Overcoming Challenges in the Industry

18:49 — Transitioning to Major Food Group

21:18 — Launching Innovative Beverage Strategies

23:43 — Navigating Challenges in the Restaurant Industry

30:42 — Innovative Pricing Strategies for Profitability

38:11 — Empowering Staff for Enhanced Guest Experience

46:40 — Building a Sustainable Future in Hospitality

#HospitalityBites #RestaurantIndustry #InnovativeBeverageStrategies #HospitalityLeadership #GuestExperience #SalesTraining #PricingStrategies

Learn more about Brad Nugent

Website: iBEV

LinkedIn

About Hospitality Bites:

Hosted by Colleen Silk, Hospitality Bites is an honest and restorative space for voices within the hospitality industry. More than just a podcast, it serves as a storytelling platform for changemakers, risk-takers, and hospitality professionals who are approaching their work in innovative ways. Each episode features guests ranging from chefs to advocates and media personalities, focusing on mental and physical health, personal experiences, and the realities of thriving in the hospitality industry and beyond.

New episodes of Hospitality Bites drop every Monday, now proudly under the Walk-In Talk Media umbrella.

Watch the full episode on YouTube the following week.

Want to get involved or learn more? Visit HospitalityBites.com