Join Us for A Food & Beverage Virtual Town Hall
Friday, March 20 at 2 p.m.
The food and beverage industry has taken a devastating hit from COVID-19. With layoffs and shifting business models, we’re in uncharted territory. Join our panelists to share ideas about navigating these quickly changing times.
Our Panelists
Kevin Clay
Big Spoon Co.
Kevin is the owner of Big Spoon Co., a PR and marketing firm for food and beverage brands. As a hospitality veteran, Kevin has managed coffee shops, waited tables, and tended bars. With ten years of front-of-house experience, he infuses a service-first marketing approach into all of his work. Kevin will moderate and share an update on financial resources.
Rebecca Thomas
rebeccathomas.co
Rebecca is a strategic advisor, veteran restaurant owner and expert problem-solver with twenty-five years of experience building and sustaining her own enterprises. She has worked with cities to secure incentives and advised clients on proper placement for their business. Rebecca will offer pivot strategies, models to consider and answer operational questions.
Barb Upchurch
The Apple Cart
Barb is the owner of The Apple Cart, a consultancy helping people create and grow food businesses. She is a speaker, problem solver, marketing maven, and the former director of a Richmond-based non-profit dedicated to helping people start small businesses. Barb will share ways for food trucks and retailers to power through.
Mike Ledesma
Perch
Mike is the owner of Perch in Scott’s Addition. From Baltimore to Oahu to Richmond, his culinary travels and Filipino heritage continue to inspire his cooking. Once a financial advisor, he made a career change in 2002 when he enrolled in culinary school in Hawaii. Mike was ahead of the curve in pivoting to a takeout model this week.
Courtney Mailey
Blue Bee Cider
Courtney founded Blue Bee Cider in 2012. After working in economic development for 12 years, she left the corporate grind in 2010. Courtney attended cider school at Cornell University and apprenticed with Albemarle CiderWorks one year before starting Blue Bee. During this crisis, her business has shifted to bottle sales only.
Eileen Mellon
Richmond Magazine
As Richmond magazine’s food editor and a former longtime industry worker, Eileen Mellon eagerly explores all aspects of the dine community from new restaurants to local farms to food trucks. The VCU graduate and Hampton transplant moved to Richmond a decade ago and hasn’t left since. She will shed light on how the impact of coronavirus has shifted reporting during this time.