VineSpring Employee Spotlight: Aku Desai
Aku joined the VineSpring team this summer and jumped in headfirst. As the Director of Sales, Aku is often the first person that new VineSpring clients meet. Aku has a history of working with startups, loves the Colorado craft beer scene, and has a few “hidden” talents. Get to know Aku and what gets him the most excited when talking with prospective VineSpring clients.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT VINESPRING?
I am the Director of Sales and work closely with all of our teams to make sure that our customers have a great experience. My goal is to share the VineSpring platform with craft beverage producers and make a difference in how they run their businesses. My job often becomes more about consulting rather than selling, especially if we can make craft beverage producers’ lives better for their customers and staff.
WHAT EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR PAST HELP YOU THE MOST TODAY IN YOUR POSITION AT VINESPRING?
My experience with start-ups has come in handy. There is a lot to learn and my experience has shown me that sometimes the best way to grow in a role is to jump in and learn as you go. As soon as you learn something, it becomes a building block for the next piece of knowledge. The most important thing to know is that we are in business for our clients and as long as we are focused on them, everything else will fall into place.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF GIVING TO WINERIES/BREWERIES WHO ARE EVALUATING NEW ECOMMERCE AND CLUB MANAGEMENT PLATFORMS?
Look at the experience for both you and your customers and figure out what system works best for both. VineSpring’s number one goal is to make craft producers’ lives better by allowing them to focus on their core business and delight their customers.
WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS VINESPRING APART FROM OTHER CRAFT BEVERAGE ECOMMERCE PLATFORMS?
We have a passion for supporting our customers and helping to make them successful. The feedback I get is that VineSpring is simple to use for both our clients and their customers. Simple without being simplistic.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB AT VINESPRING BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY?
The people. I love working with our clients and the VineSpring team. The craft beverage industry definitely has its perks as well. I enjoy beers, wines, and spirits. Getting to work in an industry where I help craft producers sell products that I enjoy is especially rewarding.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING FOR FUN OUTSIDE OF VINESPRING?
I enjoy hanging out with family and friends, playing golf (as much as I can), fly fishing, and traveling.
WE TALK A LOT ABOUT PERFECTING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY. WHAT IS ONE WAY THAT YOU THINK WINERIES AND BREWERIES CAN IMPROVE THE CUSTOMER’S EXPERIENCE ONLINE?
It goes back to simplicity and ease of use for both our clients and their customers. We want consumers to access our clients’ sites and be able to quickly and securely place their orders. We want their customers to enjoy the process and look forward to getting whatever they’ve ordered. Our goal is to help our clients build and retain loyalty with their customers which, in the end, helps their bottom line. We use feedback from this experience to inform our processes as we continue to innovate and build future offerings.
WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Football player, scientist, stockbroker, or garbage man. At least that’s what my mom tells me! :-)
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR MOST MEMORABLE WINERY OR BREWERY EXPERIENCE?
I really enjoyed visiting the New Belgium facility. The smell of malt is one of my favorite smells. On the wine side, touring the Durell Vineyard and watching the grapes being harvested at night was pretty amazing.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS?
I can juggle and sing karaoke. Both of which by nature aren’t hidden because someone needs to see you doing it in order for it to be any fun.
IF YOU COULD RETURN TO YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHY?
We have so many, but either Maui or Hawai’i (The Big Island). I love the sun, sand, and ocean and both are beautiful islands. I’ll also add Moorea (Tahiti). They have these cool huts built on stilts in the ocean. Every moment is beautiful.
