The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1545708
authentic that reflected who Eric is as a person while also helping bring awareness to his journey and to everyone living with spinal cord injuries," says Brian. "His story is about resilience, positivity, and proving that adversity does not define you. At the same time, we wanted to create a premium product with real staying power." Eric and Brian's collaboration led to the creation of Eric LeGrand Whiskey, a meaningful brand that donates a portion of their proceeds directly to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "ere's something really special about creating brands alongside friends and then walking into stores, bars, or restaurants and seeing people order and enjoy something that started as just an idea," Brian states. With Eric LeGrand Whiskey, Chica Chida, and SipMARGS, Brian has been able to turn visions into reality. And "the feeling never really gets old," expresses Brian. "Seeing brands you helped build earn real consumer support and become part of people's lives is incredibly rewarding." While the spirits industry thrives on human connection, Brian shares the common misconception that socializing comes easy to him. "People assume you're always comfortable in every room, but a lot of success comes from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone[...] Over time, I've gotten comfortable being uncomfor table, and I think that's helped me grow both personally and professionally," Brian explains. Acknowledging the importance of having confidence while serving in a leadership role, Brian notes that "confidence means nothing without execution. I've learned that confidence is really built through preparation, consistency, and experience, not just personality." Brian's years of experience have been backed by his consistency, dedication, and fostering of relationships– but that doesn't mean it has always gone according to plan. "Professionally, I've grown the most through adversity and uncertainty," he says. "Some of the hardest moments in business force you to become sharper, more resilient, and more confident in your instincts. I've learned that setbacks are usually temporary, but the lessons VUENJ.COM 83