As a decades-long veteran of the spirits industry, Brian Axelrod
understands the importance of human connection. "Relationships
matter and reputation matters even more," he says. It was Brian's
initial interests in business, branding, and building connections
that led him to the adult beverage sector, gaining his start in
distribution before transitioning to brand development. "You
learn quickly that great liquid alone is not enough," states Brian.
"You need relationships, strategy, execution, and patience." His
time in distribution provided insight into how retailers, suppliers,
sales teams, and consumer behavior functioned, but it is his
recent work on building and launching brands that tapped into
his "true passion in the field."
As co-founder of Eric LeGrand Whiskey and SipMARGS, as well
as the founding partner of Chica Chida Peanut Butter Tequila,
Brian holds an impressive portfolio. He shares, "Over the last 20+
years, I've been fortunate to work with some incredible brands
and people while helping build businesses from the ground up."
As a close friend of Eric LeGrand, Brian intimately knows and
understands the vision behind Eric LeGrand Whiskey was "always
bigger than whiskey." Aer Eric became paralyzed from the neck
down during a 2010 football game, "we wanted to build something
BY K R I S T I N A CCO R S I
BRIAN AXELROD
ON THE ART OF INFLUENCE
POINT OF VUE
82 VUENJ.COM
