How Do We Increase Sales? A Collaborative Guide for Wineries

At Protea Financial, we are proud to work with many incredible people who are making exceptional wine! Their dedication to their craft is inspiring.  We wish this were enough to build a successful wine business. But it is not!  Currently, wine and alcoholic beverages, in general, are having a tough time. Between oversupply, congested markets,…
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Protea Weekly – Episode 27 – Should I Conference? – Part 1 – In my Niche

In this episode, Zane Stevens discusses the importance of attending industry-specific conferences. He shares his personal experience attending wine industry conferences and explains how it has helped him become a better advisor to his clients. Zane highlights the benefits of gaining industry-specific knowledge, networking with professionals in the field, and discovering new business opportunities. He…
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A professional Fiduciary – Do you need one?

You need a professional fiduciary if you have an estate plan. A compilation of statistical resources reveal that anywhere between 66-80% of Americans do not have an estate plan. Besides our natural denial that we are mortal, other reasons can cause procrastination in setting up our formalized plans.  Without an estate plan, specifically a living…
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Protea Weekly – Episode 26 – Adaptation and Open-Mindedness in a Changing World

In this episode, Zane Stevens discusses the importance of continuous learning and improvement, emphasizing the need for open-mindedness and willingness to change. He shares insights from the performance appraisal process at Protea and highlights the significance of personal development and adaptation in a changing world. Takeaways – Continuous learning and improvement are essential for personal…
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Common Challenges in Monthly Closing for Wine Businesses: Solutions and Strategies

The monthly closing process is crucial for wine businesses, serving as a cornerstone for financial accuracy and operational efficiency. However, it comes with its fair share of challenges.  From managing inventory to ensuring compliance with regulations, wine businesses often find themselves navigating a complex landscape. Here at Protea Financial, we want to explore these common…
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The Power of a Smile: Enhancing Leadership, Teaming, and Relationship Building

As a psychologist who always emphasizes that “Business is Human”, I believe that understanding the emotional underpinnings of our interactions is key to success in any professional setting. Therefore, in this blog, I write about harnessing the power of a smile to transform leadership, teamwork, and relationships. Smiling and Leadership Leadership is as much about…
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