THE MEMO

From: Bob Monica
To: Clients and Readers
Date: March 30, 2008
Subject: It's Me Again

It's Been A Year... Did You Miss Me?

Hello again. It's hard to fathom, but it's been a year since we sold the bistro. Time flies when you’re not responsible for opening the doors every day. But I sure have missed all of you, and our frequent conversations.

I apologize for being out of touch for so long, but after the intense experience of running a retail business I needed some down time. However, every now and then I bump into someone in a store, or restaurant that looks up and says, "Hey, you're the Wine Guy," and I just love it.

When last we spoke I was the Wine Guy and you were enjoying my weekly missals pertaining to your favorite adult beverage. Then, I sold the store and disappeared (well, we did have one hell of a party before I toddled off). Now, I’m back again, doing something completely different.

Just What Are You Doing?

Well, before I tell you what I'm doing let me fill you in on the past 12 months. I departed from the Bexley Monk even before I sold Wine Shoppe Bistro. This was in no way a reflection on the Monk or its people. They were wonderful. But as my mother used to say, "Be careful Bobby, your eyes may be bigger than your belly," and this time she would have been right. The combination of two demanding businesses, following eight years of 80 hour weeks, was just too much.

Fortunately, my friend George McCloy was kind enough to let me out of our deal, and then one of my partners in the wine store wanted to buy me out. I sensed the time was right for a change.

Amazingly, on my last day at the bistro I received a call from Dick Hammond who owns Mary Kelley's. He said to me...

No wait... I'm getting ahead of myself.

An Interesting Year.

After we sold the store Ginny, Dave and I took some much needed vacation time. We visited friends and family in Florida (right on the beach - Oh baby!) and then enjoyed multiple visits to New York City to be with our son Peter.

Pete had proposed to his girlfriend, Jenny, right before our eyes in our Dublin living room, by the way she said yes and the wedding is this May. He is now in the process of graduating as valedictorian from the Bureau of Manhattan Community College and transferring to Columbia University to complete his undergraduate work on his way to a JD in Constitutional Law.

Eldest son, Kristofer moved to Columbus from Nebraska. He found employment as head of security for the new Bio-Tech Building at OSU. He bought a car and rented his first non-roommate apartment - in Dublin.

David returned to Columbus State where he has been on the Dean's List ever since. He also found a new job selling wine at - drum roll please - Anderson's on Brice Road. Bob and Ginny decided it was time to get out of their townhouse and into a home - so we purchased one in Reynoldsburg (it's not as far as away as you think). We just love it.

Then on a very black Friday we lost our dear Maine Coon cat, Gilbert, to old age and diabetes. On top of that our veterinarian advised that trusty old Scout had leukemia. Imagine our despair.

Anyway we took Scout to the OSU Veterinary Hospital where he was fortunate enough to be placed under the excellent care of Dr. Kenji Hosoya. Scout has been on chemotherapy since November, and I'm thrilled to report that he has been responding quite well to the medication. His energy is back and he’s gained back some weight, and shares his new tree-filled back yard with his girlfriend, Belle (a strictly platonic relationship).

Two months ago I received a call from Gary Seman, Jr., Food Editor for "This Week News." He invited me to join his team as the wine columnist on the company's website. I've been enjoying writing about wine again, and they seem quite pleased with the articles. Click on the "This Week News" icon below and see what you think.

CLICK HER FOR WINE ARTICLES

Now Back To Mary Kelley's...

So, there I was about to walk out of the store for the last time when Raj called to me, "Oh, by the way, Dick Hammond called. He asked that you give him a call." Now Dick and I have been friends since the autumn of 1998 when we built our respective businesses simultaneously. Thinking he wanted to say goodbye, I decided to stroll over and see him in person. What he had to say really surprised me.

"Robert," he began, "I was wondering if you would bring some of those powerful marketing skills of yours over here to help us out," he said with conviction. I told him I would be happy to help - however I could. "No Bob, you don't understand," he continued, "I want to hire you!"

When I announced that I was going to sell the bistro folks naturally asked, "So what's next for you?" The truth was that I had no specific plan, but had a fuzzy idea that I would like to get back into marketing. Since my plans were at best uncertain, I would always respond that I was sure something would turn up. Well, it did... and it took Dick Hammond to open the door.

The Door Is Now Open.

For the past year I've been handling all of the marketing and promotion activities for Mary Kelley's. That included the development of a marketing action plan, newspaper advertising, the design and construction of a new website and an electronic newsletter (Bits & Bytes). Some of you have recognized my scribbling in the newsletter and have provided very positive feedback. That work led to the inclusion of other clients - a CPA firm, Landscaper/Nursery, hotels, and even a new dinner theater playhouse in New Jersey.

Marketing and new business development had been a specialty of mine for 30 years before I opened The Wine Shoppe. Since I found myself back in the marketing business I decided to make a commitment to doing just that.

My new company is called Monica Marketing Solutions, we cater to small businesses like florists, salons, doctors, lawyers, accountants, veterinarians, restaurants, inns, and designers with a full range of marketing and promotional services. The company's niche is based on our successful "hands-on" management of similar business-types around the country, and right here in the Columbus area. We have, in fact, been there and done that.

We put great emphasis on website design and content as well as electronic newsletter campaigns. It's work that we love, and we're really good at it. Given today's economy there are lots of folks needing a hand in this vital area. If any of your friends or associates needs this kind of assistance we're still accepting additional clients. Our rates are quite reasonable and we have a good track record. Click on the icon at the bottom of this page to check out the new web site (decorated in Golden Retrievers of course).

As a matter of fact this newsletter is a part of my new electronic campaign.  I'll be publishing it to help promote my new company. I'll be providing free marketing and business news, and tips for my friends and clients - just like I once did about wine. I'll be sending it out routinely, and all of you are currently subscribers.

Of course if you wish to "unsubscribe" you may easily do so. But you might give it a try - who knows, I may even sneak a little wine information in every now and then - just for fun!

How About France?

OK, enough of the business talk. I have just one more thing to share with you.

Before I sold the store, and frequently since, I have been approached regarding the possibility of hosting another trip to Europe. Our trips to Italy were truly outstanding by everyone's standards, and I have been asked repeatedly to consider going again. Well the answer is - you bet!

This time we're considering going to France, visiting the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, culminating in Paris. I've never been to Paris, and they say you cannot die without seeing Paris (I don't expect to die anytime soon, but I do want to see Paris). We would tour some wineries, taste some vintages and have plenty of free time to relax, shop and tour.

I have made contact with a great travel planner who has a plethora of terrific ideas, one involving a possible cruise component. We're thinking about going this fall when the rates are lower and the weather is still nice. If any of you would seriously consider joining us, please email me so that I can start planning in earnest. Budgets and specifics are still being developed, so there's no commitment involved. I just want to get a sense of how big the group might be.

Until Next Time.

Well, that's about it. I hope that you have enjoyed my sharing my story. Because of your past support I think of all of you as my friends, and wanted to update you and let you know that -

I'm back.

Have a great weekend. I think of you often, and miss our days at Wine Shoppe Bistro.

God Bless,

Bob Monica - The "Old" Wine Guy.

CLICK HERE FOR

MONICA MARKETING SOLUTIONS