John Gakuru

Founder & CEO @Coruscent Co.

CEO💸 MarketingHead of GrowthBusiness Owner💼 C-level Executive👍 Sales & BizDev🧨 Consulting🔥 Startup FounderMarketing DirectorBusiness Development ManagerBrand Marketing ManagerFounder✨ Business OwnerGrowth Hacker

John Gakuru, a global citizen with roots in Kenya, England, and Australia, currently calls Los Angeles his home base. With a career spanning continents and roles in the spirits industry, his journey began managing London's Lab Bar during the cocktail renaissance. In 2005, he became Global Brand Ambassador for Sagatiba Cachaça, elevating it into a recognizable name worldwide. His Australian chapter saw him spend six years at Think Spirits, where he propelled the company to a Top 10 distributor nationally, overseeing trade communications and brand activities for numerous premium spirit brands. Gakuru's move to Sweet&Chilli Australia in 2016 preceded his relocation to the USA, where he thrived as Director of Sales & Marketing, leveraging his two decades of industry experience. In 2020, Gakuru co-founded Coruscent Co. with Emily Wheldon, realizing a lifelong dream. Their company crafts exceptional events, aids brand growth, and fosters lasting international relationships. Notably, he joined the Board of Directors of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, contributing to industry education and advancement. Outside work, Gakuru enjoys scuba diving and relishing drinks like Negronis and red wine in LA's bars.

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Work Background

Coruscent Co.Global Drinks and Hospitality Brand Specialist

Dec. 2020Los Angeles, California, United States

Sweet&Chilli LtdDirector of Sales and Marketing

Sep. 2016 - Mar. 2021Greater Los Angeles AreaOverall responsibility for the business development, marketing, strategic direction & client services of Sweet&Chilli USA. I will be leading a dynamic & growing team, aligning Sweet&Chilli USA’s operation with S&C UK & S&C Australia, whilst establishing & building the Sweet&Chilli brand throughout North America.

Think Spirits Pty LtdTrade Marketing Manager

Nov. 2011 - Sep. 2016Sydney, AustraliaThink Spirits is an independently owned, Top 10 spirits distributor in Australia. Offering a premium spirits portfolio comprising more than 32 brands including, Jose Cuervo Tequila, Grand Marnier, Fernet-Branca and The Kraken. Accountabilities: • Lead the implementation of Think Spirits business strategy • Direct and leverage customer engagement via social media • Manage and direct engaging trade & consumer events • Develop and lead trade marketing activities • Develop and deliver inspirational product training • Identify and develop local and international strategic business partnerships • Build multi-tiered client relationships that result in revenue and profitability growth • Develop and maintain links with trade and professional associations nationally and internationally • Manage A&P and general expenditure in line with agreed budgets • Direct and oversee all merchandising production and implementation Significant achievements: • Developed and implemented a world first on line liquor trade loyalty program. Resulting trade membership exceeds 4000 members in under 12 months. • In addition to the above mentioned engagement levels, sales of those Think Spirits brands, where loyalty members were employed, increased by 35% • Conceptualised developed and implemented a unique cost effective marketing program designed to promote the Fernet-Branca brand and to engage future industry leaders and business owners. The results were impressive with sales growth of 46% and participation by more than 2000 bar staff Nationally.

SagatibaGlobal Brand Ambassador

Feb. 2005 - Aug. 2011InternationalGlobal Brand Ambassador Established in 2002, Sagatiba has revolutionised the cachaça market in Brazil and is now one of the leading producers of cachaça operating across 6 continents. Accountabilities: • Contribute to the development of Sagatiba’s global marketing strategy • Responsible for the execution Sagatiba global strategy • Exercise organisational leadership skills across multiple teams and regions • Execute above and below the line marketing strategies within World Duty Free UK • Responsible for the training and development of bartenders, owners and managers • Define implement and build Sagatiba's brand equity • Develop and nurture strategic partnerships to enhance global business growth • Extensive international travel to support business partners and evaluate new opportunities • Advise Sagatiba on important global market trends and issues Significant achievements: • Developed significant global markets of USA, UK, Australia, China, UAE, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Greece resulting in year on year growth of 23% or 1.3m litres. Identified and nurtured business partnerships and secured new market opportunities in countries such as South Africa, Malaysia, Switzerland, Indonesia, Macau, Angola, Mexico and Scandinavia

LAB Bar, LondonBar Manager and Licensee

Jan. 2001 - Feb. 2005LAB was one of the world's leading cocktail venues. Established in 1999, LAB was at the forefront of exceptional cocktails for over 16 years. LAB boasted an impressive and extensive menu of world-renowned contemporary cocktails. LAB was a multi award-winning landmark cocktail bar and breeding ground of some of the best cocktail bartenders and managers in the business. Accountabilities: • Venue management including product selection, managing bar staff team of 10, business development, and product training Significant achievements: • Led LAB Bar to receive prestigious awards for Best Bar 2002 & 2003 (awarded by Imbibe Magazine and Drinks International)

Princess CruisesAsst. Food & Beverage Director

Sep. 1998 - Jan. 2001Established in 1965 with one ship cruising to Mexico, Princess has grown to one of the largest cruise lines in the world. Today, its fleet carries more than 700,000 passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line. Destinations include

Princess CruisesHead Bartender

Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1998GlobalKey Responsibilities: · Overall responsibility for the $1m per month beverage operation · Overall responsibility for the running, operation and management of up to 24 bars on the `Grand Princess' · Responsibility for stock checks and stock ordering · Responsibility for staff training, motivation · Maintain customer satisfaction by investigating and resolving customer complaints about guest experience · Maintain safe, secure, legal and healthy environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation and quality of food and drink preparation and service standards and procedures Key Achievements: · Fast track promotion from Junior Bar Steward to Asst. Food & Beverage Director in twelve months · Food Hygiene Qualifications from USPH · Fire Safety training · Lifeboat handling and emergency evacuation training · Travelled the world!

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