During my time as an instructor at a bartending school, I found myself wearing numerous hats—far beyond what you’d expect in a typical teaching role. My responsibilities ranged from IT and network tech, drawing on my extensive certifications from CompTIA, CISCO, and CHUBB Technical Institute, to recruiter, where I utilized HubSpot to manage leads and curate custom mailing lists for our newsletters.
A significant challenge was the underutilized CRM system. Previous recruiters had only minimally interacted with the system, often marking prospects as “contacted” without adding any detailed notes. This lack of detailed information made it difficult to understand the prospects’ current interests in our courses, turning what should be a powerful tool into a mere checklist.
Christine Lorusso, the senior director of digital marketing for Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, encapsulates the essence of this issue well: “A CRM is only as useful as you make it…For us, that means pulling in data from all of our key partners…and compiling comprehensive profiles on our guests…” (https://www.nrn.com/marketing/digital-marketing-number-one-item-operators-tech-stack-wish-lists).
Aside from managing the CRM and teaching, I also handled multi-media presentations and managed our online presence across various social media platforms, enriching our community engagement and brand visibility.
Despite the myriad roles, my passion has always been in the art of mixology. The path has been filled with unexpected turns, from company buy-outs and serious health issues among staff to the impact of COVID-19, leading to the school’s closure after the owner retired.
Reflecting on this journey, I’m reminded of a saying by Shakespeare: “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” While I have a knack for tech, it’s mixology where I truly shine. Here’s to the next chapter where I can dedicate myself to what I love most. Cheers!
#Bartending #Teaching #CRMManagement #Mixology #CareerJourney
Site Author, David Jonathan Curtis: David Jonathan Curtis, a seasoned professional with decades of experience in bartending and bar management, began his career in Midtown Manhattan, NY, tending and managing bars before diving into Manhattan’s bustling nightlife scene. Over the years, he has mastered high-volume, high-pressure speed bartending as the lead bartender in both iconic Midtown clubs generating over $1,350,000.00 annually in personal drink sales. He has since extended his expertise to establishments in Georgia and now Tampa, Florida. David’s roles as a Bartending Instructor at the American Bartending School in Tampa, while maintaining a second job bartending, and his years experience of managing bars, and working as a Brand Ambassador along with his extensive professional library of over 1,000 bartending, bar management, and related industry books, highlight his dedication to continually refining his craft. He holds a diploma in Bar Management, is BarSmarts certified by Pernod Ricard, and holds a valid NYC Food Handlers management certification.