Dan first started coaching founder-led drinks businesses in 2009 after years of working for some of the largest multinational drinks brands, including Jose Cuervo and Courvoisier Cognac. He went on to co-found Distill Ventures, where he was early to see the potential in category-disrupting brands like Starward Whiskey and Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, as well as new-to-world brands like Seedlip that kicked off the non-alcoholic movement.

Energized and inspired by founders, who have become the driving force in innovation, Dan has since coached over 100 drinks entrepreneurs. Founding The Ardent Company in August 2021, his company mission is to fuel pioneering founders to change the way the world drinks.

A seasoned drinks professional with experience across both independent and multinational drinks brands, Andreas started his career at J. Wray & Nephew, where he introduced Appleton Rum to the European market. From there, he switched gears to fulfill a lifelong dream of launching his own super-premium rum brand, Elements 8.

Through building that business, Andreas learned firsthand the trials and tribulations founders face and began coaching drinks entrepreneurs. Leveraging his extensive global network and deep industry knowledge, he searches for the drinks of tomorrow while fueling the founders of today.

A certified public accountant (CPA) with strong business acumen, Brian spent the early part of his career in audit and investment banking at Deloitte and Bank of America. He then transitioned to the corporate strategy group at MGM Resorts, working on cost-saving initiatives and project management of some of their larger projects, including the rebranding of Monte Carlo to Park MGM. Most recently, he was responsible for deal sourcing and execution at St. Cloud Capital, where he oversaw two funds.

Here at The Ardent Company, Brian leads the accounting, deal, finance, and treasury functions. He works closely with our founders to ensure they have a strong understanding of their business and the right financial controls in place.

A brand marketing expert with experience across entertainment and consumer packaged goods, Frankie got her start in spirits working with Pernod Ricard and Rémy Cointreau, where she drove growth and built brand equity for brands like Jameson Irish Whiskey and Malfy Gin. She then headed up marketing for Doña Vega Mezcal, an early-stage startup, where she developed a comprehensive commercial strategy.

Following her passion for crafting distinctive brand identities and experiences and connecting with consumers, Frankie works closely with founder-led businesses to expand their reach and enlarge their footprint. She has a knack for untangling complex problems to bring big picture visions into fruition.

Jack began his career in public accounting at RSM helping businesses across a wide array of industries, including food and beverage, manufacturing, and more. Wanting to expand his skillset within the world of finance, he then joined the team at Duff & Phelps (now Kroll), where he worked in the corporate finance group providing financial analysis across a variety of M&A deals.

Here at The Ardent Company, Jack evaluates and executes new investment opportunities and manages our portfolio of brands. He supports founders by translating their boldest visions into clear, actionable business plans, helping them to achieve their sales goals and deliver results through data analysis.

Nicole got her start crafting copy for the startup spirits brand AMASS, where she helped roll out over a dozen new products as the company expanded its portfolio. She then moved over to the non-alcoholic side of the drinks business with Katy Perry’s non-alcoholic apéritif brand De Soi, conceptualizing the brand identity and gleaning consumer insights to drive sales.

Motivated by her love of the always-changing hospitality industry, Nicole identifies emerging drinks trends and searches for the brightest founders leading the way. As Brand Manager, she helps bring founders’ visions to life through focused marketing efforts.

A certified public accountant (CPA), Chris spent the early part of his career consulting for small businesses and startups. At Armanino and Subspace, Chris worked across a range of industries, from food and beverage to advertising and film. While there, he helped clients set their yearly forecasts and budgets, providing cost analyses to keep them running lean.

A natural problem solver, Chris loves to help companies grow and establish policies and procedures to set them up for success. He equips founders with the tools they need to effectively manage their finances and is a go-to resource for questions both big and small.