Alex Olsen
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Innovative & creative industry professional with 15+ years of experience that spans nearly every roll. Constantly striving to engage the world with my vast love of food, wine & spirits while providing context & knowledge through combining my interests in art & culture. Narrowing the conversation within the space to promote sustainability & thoughtfulness as it pertains to to how we engage & interact with food & beverage within the intersection of culture & music.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Ask For Janice
Brooklyn, NY
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Created a unique and original idea from concept with the ownership team that drew from the team's ideas and stayed true to the business's ethos - spurred around the idea of the cross-section between NYC's music & pizza shops we built a food, beverage & music program to featuring primarily 90's hip-hop & "everything but pizza" in a energetic yet intimate back room.
- Provided oversight and management at all steps of the way throughout opening, including construction and build-out, hiring, menu planning, system installations, and training.
- Managed and operated 12 months of a profitable business from scratch while continuing to grow another bar/restaurant simultaneously.
- Implemented, installed, and marketed a range of promotions and product offerings to create additional revenue during slumps in business.
General Manager
Eavesdrop
Brooklyn, NY
07.2022 - 07.2024
- Inherited a new bar/restaurant within the first six months of opening, and was tasked with reviewing all systems and processes in order to calibrate the P&L and find greater profits.
- Maintained & created a diverse environment that provided music & cocktail connoisseurs a unique space within the NYC cocktail scene that focused on providing a high-en listening experience for DJ's to staff to share interesting & beautiful music not often enjoyed in other settings.
- Improved and provided oversight for an ever-growing cocktail program that saw growth in both profitability, technicality, and originality.
- Oversaw 24 straight months of profitability that starting from the origination of employment until teams parted ways.
Misi
Manager
Brooklyn, NY
04.2019 - 06.2022
- Responsible for staff education, including procuring and managing vendor engagement, as well as active and ongoing training of wine, beer, and liquor.
- Day-to-day oversight of service; drawing from both simple & complex problem solving to promote the best guest experience
- Conceptualization and implementation of training processes and manuals.
- Focused and honed craft for managing and maneuvering within the NYC fine dining world while growing great insight into the industry as well as customer and client management.
Sommelier
Au Courant
Omaha, NE
08.2016 - 03.2019
- Managed the beverage program with extensive focus on the wine program within a revolving tasting menu that aimed to provide each guest with a completely unique experience.
- Monitored & reported to the P&L in relation to the beverage program.
- Established successful business from inception - eventually leading to James Beard Nomination
Education
BBA - Marketing & Digital Design
Creighton University
Omaha, NE05-2016
Skills
- Expense Control
- Program Administration
- P&L Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Brand Developement
- Sommelier
- Graphic & Digital Design
- Customer Retention
Timeline
General Manager
Ask For Janice
07.2023 - 07.2024
General Manager
Eavesdrop
07.2022 - 07.2024
Misi
Manager
04.2019 - 06.2022
Sommelier
Au Courant
08.2016 - 03.2019
BBA - Marketing & Digital Design
Creighton University