In this episode, Rich and Addison Rex discuss: 

• How mentorship and trust shaped his career in the wine industry
• Lessons from leading Wine Spies and fostering a collaborative team culture
• Navigating the complexities of wine gifting and personalized experiences
• Balancing tradition and innovation in wine production and sales
• The unique role wine plays in building connections and enhancing relationships

Key Takeaways: 

• Small acts of mentorship can have a lasting impact. Allowing others to tackle big responsibilities fosters growth and confidence that lasts a lifetime.
• Wine has a way of opening up conversations and deepening relationships. It creates unique moments of connection, whether at a family dinner or a team tasting session.
• Building a strong team culture starts with authenticity. When people feel comfortable being themselves, collaboration and camaraderie thrive.
• Personalized gifting, such as custom wine labels, leaves a memorable impression. These thoughtful gestures stand out and strengthen professional relationships.
• Embracing one’s strengths and partnering with those who complement your weaknesses leads to stronger connections, both personally and professionally.

"Wine has this cultural significance; it’s been part of our lives for millennia. It’s hard to overstate its importance." — Addison Rex

About Addison Rex:

Agent Cru, also known as Addison Rex, operates undercover as the CEO of Wine Spies, an online wine retailer and eCommerce technology company. In wine country, many know him by his codename, Agent Cru. Since 2007, Wine Spies has featured a brand-new wine daily on its website, offering it at the best price available anywhere for a 24-hour window.

Addison began his career as a "cellar rat," scrubbing barrels at his family’s winery. He worked his way up to General Manager and later launched his own brand, Jurassic Wines. Eventually, he joined Wine Spies on a mission to revitalize the company, unlocking its potential for growth while preserving its strong foundation.

Wine, Addison often says, is a unique and challenging product. It’s heavy, fragile, perishable, and highly regulated, making it difficult to ship. It’s also a subjective art form, subject to the opinions of critics and writers. As both a commodity with sensitive pricing and an industry steeped in tradition and relationships, wine bridges the gap between agriculture and cutting-edge technology.

Thanks to his 12 years of experience, Addison has developed a deep understanding of these complexities and how they integrate to deliver wine from vineyard to glass. He enjoys sharing his insights and stories from the industry and is known for being a lively and engaging conversationalist.

Connect with Addison Rex:

Website: https://winespies.com/ | http://jurassic.wine 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winespies 

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@winespies 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addisonrex 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/winespies 

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgbMIWMBAE0Dd5u5wrSQWrw 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winespies 

Connect with Rich Woo: 

Website: www.catalyst.nm.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richwoo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rich_woo/?hl=en

Book: The Relationship Recession - https://a.co/d/dXlXd71

Email: [email protected]