How did you land the job?

It is said that "What is to be just is, and nothing happens before its time!" I had made the bold decision to leave my job at the time to take a well-earned (at least in my opinion) extended vacation, and to pursue my Diploma in Wine when the opportunity to join this course-charting, game-changing, vibrant, new team knocked, and I jumped at it. It was as exciting as it was scary, but my faith in the co-Managing Directors Andrew Desnoes and David McConnell, both of whom I had worked with before, made it easy to accept the position.

How long have you been in the job?

I was the first employee hired so it has been 13 months, which have gone by really quickly, but based on what we have achieved, it feels like 5 years. However, I have been in the wine industry for 10 years and the general beverage industry for over 20 years.

What's great about your job?

Wow! They say when you love what you do, you don't work a day in your life. I love my team, learning about wines, tasting wines, especially "select-ing" the wines we will carry. I thoroughly enjoy visiting wine countries, creating wine experiences for consumers, and showing a restaurateur how lower margins on wine can translate to greater volume. One of my great joys is training wait staff and seeing them practising what they have learned and how it impacts their earnings, and seeing the light go on in a trainee's eyes when I demystify wine in training.

Tell us something we might not know about Select Brands.

We may only be 14 months old, but we have an impressive and extensive portfolio of wines. We also carry pouring spirits, premium spirits, niche beer, organic water, and are open for any brand that will sit comfortably in our portfolio.

What makes the range of wines and champagnes from Select Brands attractive options to consumers?

We take great care in selecting the products we carry, ensuring that a certain standard is maintained. We pay keen attention to our segmentation strategy which helps to keep the scales balanced. Our range is extensive and caters to the needs of hotels, wholesales and restaurants to bars, clubs and lounges, as well as the consumer at any stage of their wine journey.

Where can consumers find out more about your brand?

For further information about Select Brands and our extensive range of products, consumers can call our customer service desk on 758.3777-8 or email getit@selectbrandsja.com or visit our website www.selectbrandsja.com or visit us on Facebook or SelectBrandsJa.

WIN, WIN, WIN!

'Tis the season to raise a toast and Select Brands Wines Marketing Manager Debra Taylor has six giveaways for our Thursday Life readers. To win one of six bottles of Select Brands products, simply answer the following question: How old is Select Brands?

E-mail the correct answer by noon tomorrow, Friday December 14 to marketingpromotion@jamaicaobserver.com.

Please include your name, occupation and contact number.