Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer (Hospitality), Founder
Santa Ana, California, Us
Following an epic exit from women’s health, Robin pursued a passion for farm-to-table products co-founding the first distillery in Orange County, Blinking Owl Distillery. Navigating the brand new, complex California Craft Distillery license type, Robin and her husband launched a world-class manufacturing plant and restaurant, overcoming complex regulatory challenges in a highly regulated market.ACCOMPLISHMENTS• Coordinated and led the execution of ground-up operational management, stakeholder and business strategy development, financial strategy, development of product offerings, product management, journey mapping, business intelligence, accounting, staffing, and design.• Achieved >$1M in sales within 6 months by directing a massive overnight operational and FDA licensure shift to dominate the production of hand sanitizer during the pandemic reaching hundreds of prestigious clients such as Viacom, USPS, and Tesla• Raised >$5M in debt and shareholder equity through compelling investment decks and business impact attracting nearly 150 stakeholders• Vetted and implemented technology solutions for continuous performance improvement, leading to a 25% improvement in overall operational effectiveness and efficiency across manufacturing, product distribution, and hospitality management• Built strategic partnerships and joint ventures that evolved into M&A opportunities, resulting in multi-million dollar acquisition offers from several prominent companies• Implemented rigorous hospitality operating procedures and standards of excellence for customer experience, resulting in achievements including the 2023 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award, Eater Los Angeles Orange County’s 16 Hottest Restaurants in 2021, and Sunset Magazine’s "14 Best Distilleries in the West" in 2017• Led strategic sales initiatives in the food and beverage markets, gaining over 400 accounts in California in the first year and expanding internationally