Business Lessons to Learn from Florida Wine Expert

The Miami Herald did a piece on Patrick “Chip” Cassidy who has became the go-to-guy in South Florida for his expertise in wine. Although originally from New York, Cassidy decided to learn the wine business from the ground up after tasting a bottle of Château Lafite 1959, which these days costs as much as $62,000. 

Cassidy's first job was delivering wine for a Long Island, N.Y. Store almost 40 years ago. At the age of 59, he still continues to have the same passion and desire for wine and has personally sampled more than, at last count, 4,000 wines and liquors. Cassidy, a former decorated Vietnam medic, offers advice to young students at FIU on the subject of business and wine. 

There are several valuable lessons to learn from Cassidy's entrepreneurial story, who tells students to be careful who you consider your friends and never, ever, let someone screw you over more than once. Here are some key takeaways from Cassidy's interview with the Miami Herald that every business owner, in the hospitality industry or not, can learn from. 

To summarize Cassidy's entrepreneurial story: 

Decades ago, Cassidy found himself tasting 'the best champagne', a Billecart-Salmon, at a French restaurant in New York and instantly knew he had to add it to his wine list the moment he got back to Miami. Upon writing to the supplier, Robert Chadderdon, who was based out of New York; and not hearing back, he decided to call him directly only to get a woman who completely dismissed him. 

Fast forward a couple of years later, Cassidy found himself in a similar situation, tasting another incredible wine that so happened to be under the same supplier. Upon acquiring once more, he received the same woman who would just not give him the light of day. 

A day after the phone incident, Cassidy had closed a wine deal with a fellow wine importer. When the seller asked if there was anything else he can help him with, Cassidy explained his unfortunate situation with the two wines he was unable to obtain. It turned out the seller knew Chadderdon and set him up with a meeting three weeks later. 

There are several lessons to be learned here. Number one, gatekeepers don't always know best, so unless you hear a no from the horse's mouth directly, it shouldn't stop you from trying to inquire through other means, within reason, of course. They're trying to work in the best interest of their employer, but it can sometimes be hard to 'really see' what their employer really wants. 

The seller asking, 'anything else I can help you with?' opened a conversation to further help their business relationship. More opportunities will appear in front of you if you're willing to ask this simple question to others. You build strong business relationships by helping your associates the best you can. 

By Cassidy explaining a problem to a fellow business associate, his problem ended up getting solved. Do not be afraid to explain problems you're having within the business, other people often have the solution or, in this case, they know people who have the solution to your problem. By explaining a problem to your fellow business friends, all of a sudden you have access to their network of people who may be able to help you.