Summary
In the dynamic world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine sales, few possess the level of expertise and finesse that Steven Smith brings to the table. With an illustrious career spanning two decades, Steven has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of the wine industry, driving over $100 million in DTC wine sales.
About Steven T. Smith II
Direct to Consumer Sales
Experienced DTC Wine Sales Professional and Marketing Expert – Steven T. smith II
DTC Success – 100MM in Sales
In the dynamic world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine sales, few possess the level of expertise and finesse that Steven Smith brings to the table. With an illustrious career spanning two decades, Steven has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of the wine industry, driving over $100 million in DTC wine sales.
Sales and Marketing Technologies
As a seasoned agency partner with HubSpot, Zoho, Shopify, and Klaviyo, Steven combines his passion for wine with cutting-edge marketing strategies. He leverages the power of technology and digital platforms to connect wine enthusiasts with the finest vintages, creating remarkable customer experiences and expanding brand reach.
Incredibly, Steven’s career in DTC wine sales started at the beginning of e – email marketing, prospecting and sales. Over the course of his career, Steven has mastered email development, copy writing, graphic design, SEO strategies, photography, website development and CRM builds. All in the name of creating more opportunities to sell wine.
In hindsight, the single biggest reason for his success, actually understanding customer behavior after talking to thousands per year and implementing solutions to meet their needs.
Great Kitchens
Steven’s journey through the world of wine extends beyond sales and marketing. His culinary odyssey led him to spend nearly a decade honing his skills in the kitchens of culinary legends. He trained under Andrew Berman at Café des Artistes in Key West, worked alongside Yannik Cam and Frank Ruta at Provence in Washington D.C., and refined his craft with Danielle Baliani at Pignoli in Boston. These experiences not only deepened his culinary knowledge but also cultivated an innate understanding of how the culinary and oenological worlds intersect.
Wine Apprenticeships
During his time in the restaurant industry, Steven had the privilege of apprenticing under sommeliers of the highest caliber. Tony Foreman at the River Club in Washington, DC and David Stevens at Tra Vigne in St. Helena imparted invaluable insights into the art of wine selection and pairing, enriching Steven’s ability to curate memorable dining experiences.
The Bounty Hunter Connection
In 1999, Mark Pope, known as the “Bounty Hunter,” recognized Steven’s wine knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between food and wine. This recognition led to his recruitment from the floor of Tra Vigne. Steven’s career then transitioned from the restaurant industry to the forefront of mail order catalog wine sales, under one of the pioneers in the direct-to-consumer wine sales arena – Mark Pope.
Chatterbox Guiding Principles
Today, under Steven’s guidance, Chatterbox continues to thrive based on the timeless principles that were instilled in him early in his career: “The phone isn’t going to ring itself; you have to go outbound and connect with people to generate opportunities.” These principles have remained the cornerstone of Chatterbox’s success for over two decades.
The most amazing part of Chatterbox’s history; our results are improving and customers appreciate engagement from their favorite brands. There are so many channels to communicate with customers that there’s a sense of inbox noise that account management, outbound sales weeds cuts through and delivers results. The principles that the phone isn’t going to ring itself is so very true, but, it rings so little in a digital age, that Chatterbox’s DTC sales solution is one of the most impactful a winery can use to generate more revenue.
Summary
In summary, Steven Smith is a multifaceted professional who seamlessly bridges the realms of wine, culinary arts, and digital marketing. His remarkable journey, characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, has firmly established him as a distinguished figure in the world of DTC wine sales and marketing. With a profound understanding of both the great wines of the world and the intricacies of the restaurant industry, Steven continues to shape the future of wine appreciation and customer engagement.
