Summer Hassam

Rawsome Pte. Ltd., Singapore

www.wildboocha.com

Aspired by my passion for fermenting kombucha, I embarked on a journey that evolved from a kitchen project into a thriving business venture. Together with my business partner, I co-founded Rawsome Pte. Ltd. in 2019, leveraging our entrepreneurial spirit to transform our love for kombucha into a successful enterprise.

• Inception & Niche Opportunity Identification : Initiated in 2018, I nurtured my fascination for kombucha fermentation, paving the way for the birth of Wild Boocha Kombucha. Recognizing a niche in the market, we incorporated the company in 2019, identifying the potential of kombucha as a unique and viable offering in the Singaporean beverage landscape.
• Small Brewery Launch & Online Presence : We established a small-scale brewery and launched our brand online, introducing a diverse range of 7 flavors to the market. Our website became the gateway to reaching customers across Singapore, enabling us to connect directly with kombucha enthusiasts.
• Business Growth & Investment : By 2020, our enterprise was flourishing and we could not keep up with demand in the small facility and lack of automated equipment. Seeking to scale, we secured strategic investment to elevate our business from a small operation to a full-scale manufacturing endeavor. This funding facilitated the establishment of a comprehensive brewery infrastructure, enabling us to craft and distribute 80,000 liters of premium kombucha annually.
• Market Penetration & Account Acquisition : Fuelled by our shared vision, we penetrated the market with dedication. Today, we proudly serve over 100 esteemed accounts including restaurants, niche grocery stores, corporate offices, and private clients further solidifying our presence in Singapore's vibrant culinary scene.
• Financial Success & Revenue Achievement : Our unwavering commitment has yielded remarkable results. With an annual revenue of $600,000, we've demonstrated the viability of our kombucha enterprise and have established Wild Boocha Kombucha as a respected player in the local beverage industry.

The journey from a home kitchen experiment to a thriving kombucha manufacturer has been marked by innovation, determination, and strategic foresight. As a co-founder of Rawsome Pte. Ltd., I have been instrumental in every facet of our growth, from humble beginnings to our current success.

• Consumer and Corporate Sales Excellence: Spearheaded comprehensive consumer and corporate wine sales efforts through adept retail store management. Provided impeccable customer service, fostering strong relationships and optimizing sales outcomes.
• Innovative Wine Program Implementation: Innovatively established a wine-by-the-glass program for the flagship retail outlet, transforming it into a dynamic social hub. Resulted in heightened customer engagement, increased footfall, and boosted revenue streams.
Exclusive Wine Dinners & Client Engagement:
• Orchestrated a standout wine dinner centered on Natural/Sustainable wines, showcasing expertise to the top 30 clients of Straits. Delivered an engaging presentation highlighting the nuances between Natural, Organic, Bio-Dynamic, and Sustainable wines.
• Traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, to lead an exclusive wine dinner for a major bank's top 50 clients. Collaborated with the bank's CEO to curate a captivating evening of wine appreciation at The W Hotel.
End-to-End Event Management:
• Took charge of wine pairing, decanting, and serving during the exclusive bank event. Managed staff to ensure seamless event operations, showcasing refined organizational and leadership skills.

Strategic Client Management & Revenue Generation:
• Expertly managed a portfolio of over 1200 private clients, achieving remarkable annual sales of $1.2 million.
• Achieved a 20% growth in the Private Consumer business by the second year, followed by consecutive annual growth of 10%, with impressive client retention rates.
Global Winery Relationship Development:
• Collaborated with company leadership on sourcing new wineries globally, actively contributing to the expansion of the wine portfolio.
• Played a key role in winery selection and product presentation for the Ontario Market, ensuring alignment with market preferences.
Dynamic Wine Event Leadership:
• Orchestrated numerous successful wine events featuring diverse winemakers in various settings, enhancing brand promotion.
• Tailored events to specific clientele, optimizing engagement and sales conversion. Successfully organized events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale occasions.
• Cultivated strong partnerships with wineries to bring exclusive vintages and market-premiere wines to clients.
High-Value Client Engagement & Wine Sourcing:
• Demonstrated prowess in sourcing rare and highly allocated wines from worldwide sources, catering to a discerning clientele.
• Employed a versatile approach, engaging directly with wineries, negotiants, auction houses, and private cellar liquidations.
Strategic Communication & Sales Initiatives:
• Authored a compelling monthly wine blog distributed to a readership of 2,500. Effectively communicated portfolio updates and special offers, leading to direct sales of featured wines.
• Conducted media interviews with Winemakers, leveraging social media and the company's websites for brand promotion and client engagement.

• Responsible for controlling all aspects of outbound communication from franchisor to franchisee, documentation within their corporate extranet, and managing new franchisees' sales/awarding processes.

Flagship Store Launch & Profit Generation:
• Managed store budget, including payroll for 35 staff and 4 managers. Successfully launched flagship store, driving impressive gross sales exceeding $1.5 million within the inaugural year.
Holistic Business Oversight:
• Led comprehensive management of flagship location, encompassing a retail wine store, wine bar/restaurant, and corporate training hub. Oversaw all aspects of operations, from inventory management to staff training.
Efficient Vendor Management:
• Researched, assessed, and managed vendors across multiple areas, enhancing procurement efficiency and optimizing purchasing, promotions, and operations.
Franchisee Training and Coordination:
• Skillfully coordinated training schedules for multiple franchisees, ensuring efficient and effective education on all business facets, resulting in proficient owners across the network.
Strategic Co-Branded Events:
• Initiated and executed numerous co-branded events with charities, local and international businesses, and industry associations, amplifying brand recognition and fostering community engagement.
Effective Training Protocols:
• Designed and implemented comprehensive training protocols for new franchisees, elevating operational efficiency and customer service standards. Trained over 40 new franchise owners and 250 staff members.
• Strategic Market Expansion:
• Pioneered successful market entry with the opening and training of 7 new stores across Florida within the first year, followed by an additional 6 stores in other U.S. states.
Stringent Standards Maintenance:
• Conducted regular audits to ensure uniform adherence to company standards, spanning customer service, food quality, store layout, staff expertise, and pricing consistency.

Strategic Concept Launch & Expansion:
• Played a pivotal role in successfully launching a pioneering restaurant, wine bar, and wine retailer concept in the U.S.
• Guided the transformation of the venture from its inception into a flourishing corporate entity and franchise network.
Customized Training Programs:
• Crafted comprehensive training manuals and tailored programs for franchisee owners, managers, and diverse retail, restaurant, and wine-focused staff.
• Ensured alignment with specific business needs and roles within the organization.
End-to-End Franchisee Training:
• Orchestrated the training of each new store franchisee, imparting essential operational skills to ensure business success.
• Mentored managers in store management, service excellence, and team leadership. Facilitated staff training across all functions, including basic wine education.
Standards Adherence & Continuous Improvement:
• Devised and managed a meticulous store audit checklist, ensuring uniform application of corporate standards throughout all locations.
Comprehensive Training Modules:
• Designed and delivered multifaceted training modules encompassing:
• Customer satisfaction and superior service delivery, including steps of service for restaurant servers and bartenders, as well as effective selling techniques.
• Holistic restaurant management, covering day-to-day operations, product knowledge, customer service, P&L management, payroll, and labor optimization.
Positive Impact on Operations & Performance:
• Empowered franchisees, managers, and staff with the skills and knowledge needed to drive operational excellence, exceptional service, and business growth.

Strategic Account Management & Sales Success:
• Managed and nurtured a diverse portfolio of over 100 on-premise accounts, skillfully driving annual sales exceeding $1.3 million.
• Led the transformation of a non-fine wine territory into one of the top 5 territories for fine wine consumption in the competitive Atlanta market.
Robust Portfolio & Quota Management:
• Successfully administered a comprehensive portfolio featuring 250 brands and over 5,000 products.
• Demonstrated consistent achievement of monthly quotas, focused on specific product and brand clusters to optimize sales performance.
Innovative Brand Promotion & Growth:
• Pioneered the expansion of small brands' market presence and associated sales through targeted strategies:
• Conceptualized and executed promotional events, wine dinners, and engaging staff education programs in restaurants.
• Leveraged these initiatives to spotlight lesser-known brands within the portfolio, driving sales and market penetration.
Strategic Client Consultation:
• Collaborated closely with accounts to enhance cost-effectiveness through tailored product and assortment recommendations.
• Leveraged the Empire portfolio's depth to create optimal product mixes, aligning with unique requirements of each account.