Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Sobel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a small town called Longmeadow, Massachusetts. I knew from a very early age I wasn’t like everyone else. I viewed the world through a different lens. I was always very ‘Type-A’ even from a young age – never the quixotic type.
I spent my elementary years in Jewish day school, followed by high school years at Longmeadow High School. Our high school wasn’t your run of the mill; it was very competitive in all facets. I was a competitive swimmer, figure skater, and a classical violin player. I grew up in a very structured home, and spent the majority of my weekends practicing violin and spending time with my family; memories of listening to my brother, Ethan play cello and talking about our perspectives on the world is one of my favorite pastimes. Throughout those years, there was one moment which took place during my high school career that stands out in my mind from all the others. I was a part of what I would assess as a conservatory level orchestra at our high school, and as a senior, I was first chair violin and had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. I still recall standing there gaping at the beauty when the doors were opened for me to walk on stage. There was something about that experience that sat with me, and will always sit with me. I felt on top of the world in that moment. I recall thinking to myself, “this is it. This is what a great moment looks like. There is what all of the hours and evenings and years of hard work was for.” From that time onward, I always aimed to achieve the highest level of excellence in whatever it was I decided to pursue, because I knew how it felt to reach the pot of gold at the end, after years of tireless work. I had tasted that success. My mindset from then on was to always be the first one in, last one out – to maintain and hold onto the feeling of pride I could create within myself and apply that feeling to whatever it was I decided to pursue. I realized after that experience, I held the keys to my own success and any career I pursued from then on would have the utmost passion, dedication, and cynosure in my life.
I went on to attend college at UMASS Amherst and began my first job out of school in the non-profit sector. It was a short stint, and although I found the work personally rewarding, I knew I wanted a more challenging position in the for-profit sector – ideally, something with a competitive side. It was then I decided to make a somewhat venturesome and audacious move into a completely opposite trajectory with my career. I began working for a boutique grassroots marketing company based in Boston. Prior to this, I had zero experience working in the beverage alcohol sector, but knew there was something about it that intrigued me. The company serviced clientele from all walks of the beverage alcohol industry: beer suppliers, wine suppliers, and spirits suppliers (some were one in the same). I started out managing local grassroots marketing business for the company in both the on and off premise channels for suppliers such as Beam Suntory, Pernod Ricard, Brown Forman, and DIAGEO.
It seemed my intrepid move worked out. I worked harder than I ever had and during my tenure there, I was promoted three (3) times. First, to managing the Massachusetts region in the on and off premise channels. Second, to overseeing all of the Northern New England Region and lastly, regional management. During my final months, I was remotely managing New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and a number of other states not only for beverage alcohol grassroots marketing, but also for cosmetics marketing for both Garnier and Maybelline.
After that year, I was ready for another challenge. I had grown stagnant. Fortunately, that challenge came to me when I least expected it in the form of a phone call from my now current employer, Martignetti Companies – New England’s leading distributor of Fine Wines & Spirits. I’ve been working for Martignetti Companies now for 4 years, in their Century Division.
It has now been 6 years, since I decided to pursue my career in the beverage alcohol industry, and I’ve had both an ardor and drive for it ever since the first day on the job.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth. I had an extremely challenging set of teenage & young adult years, with many arduous struggles set in front of me. To be completely forthright – there were some harrowing times in my life where I didn’t know if I was going to come out the other end. I’ve faced and dealt with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and survived a physically abusive relationship. The list goes on and on.
Professionally, I’ve faced numerous struggles as well – I’ve had my share of unfavorable bosses, unkind colleagues, and even worked in milieu’s filled with detritus. Throughout all of those situations, I held my head high, remained true to my values, and continued to push forward with the utmost professionalism. That’s really all you can do. If you believe in yourself and surround yourself with mentors and true friends, your abilities will shine through and you will succeed. The tough lesson to learn and one thing I always remember is that success is never promised – just because you have it one day, doesn’t mean it will be extant into the next day. You have to work for it and earn it every single day of your life.
I could have easily answered this question with a staple and typical response, but I believe it is imperative to mention these struggles because we live in a society where many people are apprehensive to talk about the real stuff. Unfortunately, many have the façade because someone is successful today, it must mean they didn’t have a rough road leading up to their success (that’s almost never the case). The fact is – we never know what a person has been through or what struggles they are facing right now, today. It’s paramount we all realize sharing the challenges and struggles you are going through presently or have encountered in the past is brave and being yourself and being vulnerable at times, only makes you more relatable to others, easier to love, and stronger. There isn’t weakness in needing others and sharing your struggles – there’s strength to be found in it (it took me too many years to learn that).
The most important takeaway from my struggles was to learn I hold the keys to my own success. I am my biggest supporter. I am the only person standing in my own way. I can choose to put my energy into focusing on the things I can control and to finding the solutions, or I can focus on letting the things and people I cannot control get to me and play the blame game – nothing good ever comes from that perspective.
Please tell us about Martignetti Companies.
Martignetti Companies is New England’s leading distributor of Fine Wine & Spirits and the seventh largest distributor in the United States. In other New England states, we operate as Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, and Rhode Island Distributing Company through a joint venture. Vision Wine & Spirits, a wholly owned subsidiary of Martignetti Companies, imports and promotes the sale of craft spirits and wines through a nationwide network of distributors.
Our core beliefs focus on providing best in class services and benefits to our customers, suppliers, employees and the community.
Martignetti Companies began as a family-owned grocery business in Boston’s North End. Upon the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Martignetti family received the very first beverage alcohol retail license issued in Massachusetts. Through the years, the retail business included wine and spirits shops across the Boston metro area.
In the 1970’s, the family expanded the distribution and wholesale business, focusing on fine wines. Through organic growth, new supplier portfolio appointments and well executed acquisitions, the distribution side of Martignetti Companies flourished. The Martignetti portfolio has now grown to encompass the broadest selection of fine wines and spirits in the marketplace, from unique artisanal producers to global leading suppliers.
Now in its third generation of ownership by the Martignetti family, Martignetti Companies is firmly committed to enhancing long-term partnerships with customers and suppliers by continuing to invest in personnel, skills and technologies ensuring the highest quality service and brand building capabilities.
I work in the Century Division as the On-Premise Portfolio Manager for Massachusetts, representing the spirits portfolios of Diageo, Moet Hennessy USA, and Nolet’s Gin. Prior to that, I was a Key Account Manager with the company overseeing the same spirits portfolios in Metro Boston and Martha’s Vineyard.
I’m very fortunate to work for a company where everyone feels like family. There is so much support in this company, not only from a professional perspective – mentoring, training, education, etc. but also from a personal perspective – people care about other people in this company and the majority of the people who work for the company, tend to stick around. As a woman, it’s incredible to work for a company who is dedicated to the advancement of women. Just this past April, we had our 5th Annual Women’s Beverage Alcohol Symposium. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to represent the super premium luxury spirits portfolios that I do in my role – they’re some of the best in the world (but don’t take my word for it, check the International Spirits Competition results!) The part of my job I am most proud of is managing and developing my team and seeing them succeed and advance. Second to that, I have always thoroughly enjoyed building relationships with our customers and making sure all of the bars, restaurants, and retailers I work with are set up for success with our portfolio and our brands. This is truly a relationship business and I don’t think I can say there have been many days that I haven’t been extremely happy to be in this industry.
I would say what sets us apart from others is our commitment to excellence and exceeding customer expectations at all times. Each day we seek to operate with integrity, transparency and a dedicated work ethic in support of all our restaurant and retail customers. We strive to be socially responsible citizens by utilizing sustainable resources and contributing to the betterment of our society through volunteerism and philanthropic work. Our core beliefs focus on providing best in class services and benefits to our customers, suppliers, employees and the community. Our company culture fosters trust, open communication, personal growth and creativity. We recognize and reward employees based on their performance in fulfillment of our mission and beliefs. Martignetti Companies and its employees actively engage in the community and beyond to support and promote responsible use of our products and a better quality of life.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
No. I wouldn’t change a thing.
All of the experiences I have gone through and the people who I’ve met throughout my career and life, have made me the person I am today. My past has made me stronger than I ever could have imagined I would be. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love who I have become and who I continue to strive to be every day. I take things one day at a time, remember to take it easy on myself, and always do my best.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
I am a huge fan of the Headspace meditation and I love their logo, “brilliant things happen in calm minds.” I’ve found cardio workouts are both a resource and necessity, and I’ve benefited from reading anything written by Joan Didion, Ted Conover, John Dos Passos (my favorite is Red Caucasus), Michael Paterniti (I love the long fall of one-eleven heavy), Joseph Mitchell, and Edmund Wilson.
Contact Info:
- Address: 500 John Hancock Road
Taunton, MA 02780 - Website: https://www.martignetti.com/
- Phone: 781-348-8000
- Email: nsobel@martignetti.com
- Instagram:DrinkBOS
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Martignetti-Companies-235204679878804/
Image Credit:
Matthew Modoono Photography
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