“He has a rare ability to combine strategic vision with the interpersonal skill to bring together talented people and realize that vision. He is among the most talented senior executives I have ever worked with.”
Strategic Advisory
TalieraBuilding brands that people remember.
From beverage innovation to CPG expansion, Taliera helps founders, established companies and ultra high net worth families navigate growth and change with clarity, strategy, and market expertise.
What clients & partners say
“He has a rare ability to combine strategic vision with the interpersonal skill to bring together talented people and realize that vision. He is among the most talented senior executives I have ever worked with.”
What We Do
Expertise across the full lifecycle
Beverage Strategy
From concept development and formulation guidance to brand positioning and go-to-market strategy for wine, spirits, non-alcoholic, and functional beverages.
CPG Advisory
Navigate retail expansion, distribution partnerships, packaging decisions, and supply chain optimization for consumer packaged goods brands.
Business Growth
Strategic planning, fundraising support, operational efficiency, and leadership coaching to scale your company sustainably.
M&A Advisory
Sell-side advisory, buyer targeting, and deal execution for founders preparing an exit. Larger transactions delivered in partnership with STS Capital Partners.
$1B+
Distributor built & scaled (NWS)
55+
Beverage, tech and brand transactions advised or led, $10M–500M+
20+
Premium brands launched nationally
>200%
Of industry multiple on STS exits
About Taliera
Deep industry roots, strategic vision
Taliera was founded on the belief that the best beverage and CPG brands are built at the intersection of craft and strategy. We combine hands-on industry experience with rigorous business analysis to help companies find their edge.
Whether you are launching a new product line, entering a new market, or preparing for investment, we provide the clarity and roadmap you need to move forward with confidence.
Trusted Partners
Serving the world's leading brands
Decades of experience working with the most recognized names in beverage and CPG.
DiageoConstellationAnheuser-Busch (now AB InBev)Coca-Cola EnterprisesHeinekenPernod RicardFortune Brands (now Beam Suntory)Foster's Group (now part of AB InBev)Allied Domecq (now Pernod Ricard)Beringer Blass (now Treasury Wine Estates)Duckhorn Wine Co.ChandonSt. FrancisKorbelGeyser PeakSutter HomeBeaulieu VineyardSilverado VineyardsDiageoConstellationAnheuser-Busch (now AB InBev)Coca-Cola EnterprisesHeinekenPernod RicardFortune Brands (now Beam Suntory)Foster's Group (now part of AB InBev)Allied Domecq (now Pernod Ricard)Beringer Blass (now Treasury Wine Estates)Duckhorn Wine Co.ChandonSt. FrancisKorbelGeyser PeakSutter HomeBeaulieu VineyardSilverado Vineyards
Firestone VineyardWillamette Valley VineyardsJ Vineyards & WineryChateau St. JeanZaca MesaRenwood WineryMeridian VineyardsGundlach BundschuDomaine SereneGolan Heights WineryPaul HobbsKing EstateChateau SouverainGrolsch (now Asahi)Southern Wine & Spirits (now Southern Glazer's)LipmanMontanaFolioFirestone VineyardWillamette Valley VineyardsJ Vineyards & WineryChateau St. JeanZaca MesaRenwood WineryMeridian VineyardsGundlach BundschuDomaine SereneGolan Heights WineryPaul HobbsKing EstateChateau SouverainGrolsch (now Asahi)Southern Wine & Spirits (now Southern Glazer's)LipmanMontanaFolio
Key Accounts
National on-premise accounts
Proven track record introducing growth brands into the most influential restaurant, hotel, and entertainment chains.
Red LobsterHoulihan'sHoliday Inn (IHG)P.F. Chang'sHyattCarrabba's Italian Grill (Bloomin' Brands)Starwood Hotels (now Marriott)Applebee's (Dine Brands)InterContinental Hotels (IHG)Mellow MushroomThe Cheesecake FactoryRock Bottom BreweriesBonefish Grill (Bloomin' Brands)Rockfish Seafood GrillHard Rock CafeDelaware NorthCalifornia Pizza KitchenBuffalo Wild Wings (Inspire Brands)TGI FridaysRed LobsterHoulihan'sHoliday Inn (IHG)P.F. Chang'sHyattCarrabba's Italian Grill (Bloomin' Brands)Starwood Hotels (now Marriott)Applebee's (Dine Brands)InterContinental Hotels (IHG)Mellow MushroomThe Cheesecake FactoryRock Bottom BreweriesBonefish Grill (Bloomin' Brands)Rockfish Seafood GrillHard Rock CafeDelaware NorthCalifornia Pizza KitchenBuffalo Wild Wings (Inspire Brands)TGI Fridays
Miller's Ale HouseMarriottNobuUNO Chicago GrillGenghis GrillLongHorn Steakhouse (Darden)Lettuce Entertain YouRoyal CaribbeanCraftWorksbd's Mongolian BarbequeTed's Montana GrillNinety NineFour SeasonsLone Star SteakhouseCiCi's PizzaOutback Steakhouse (Bloomin' Brands)Firebirds Wood Fired GrillHouse of Blues (Live Nation)HiltonYard House (Darden)Miller's Ale HouseMarriottNobuUNO Chicago GrillGenghis GrillLongHorn Steakhouse (Darden)Lettuce Entertain YouRoyal CaribbeanCraftWorksbd's Mongolian BarbequeTed's Montana GrillNinety NineFour SeasonsLone Star SteakhouseCiCi's PizzaOutback Steakhouse (Bloomin' Brands)Firebirds Wood Fired GrillHouse of Blues (Live Nation)HiltonYard House (Darden)
Buca di BeppoAureoleWOW Cafe & WingeryLegal Sea FoodsSmokey Bones Bar & Fire GrillBoston's The Gourmet PizzaChampps AmericanaBennigan'sKona GrillAramarkThe Ritz-Carlton (Marriott)Red Lion HotelsQuaker Steak & LubeBest Wings USARosebud RestaurantsCharlie Brown's SteakhouseBuca di BeppoAureoleWOW Cafe & WingeryLegal Sea FoodsSmokey Bones Bar & Fire GrillBoston's The Gourmet PizzaChampps AmericanaBennigan'sKona GrillAramarkThe Ritz-Carlton (Marriott)Red Lion HotelsQuaker Steak & LubeBest Wings USARosebud RestaurantsCharlie Brown's Steakhouse
Key Accounts
National chain retailers
Long history of introducing growth brands into the nation's top retail chains.
WalmartTargetAlbertsonsSafeway (Albertsons)KrogerWhole Foods MarketCostco WholesaleSam's ClubPublixH-E-BWalgreens7-ElevenTotal Wine & MoreBevMo!Binny's Beverage DepotSpec's21st AmendmentABC Fine Wine & SpiritsWalmartTargetAlbertsonsSafeway (Albertsons)KrogerWhole Foods MarketCostco WholesaleSam's ClubPublixH-E-BWalgreens7-ElevenTotal Wine & MoreBevMo!Binny's Beverage DepotSpec's21st AmendmentABC Fine Wine & Spirits
In their words
What colleagues & clients say
Three decades, dozens of deals, and a wide range of industries — from beverage and CPG to technology, finance, and hospitality. A few reflections from the people who have worked alongside Smoke.
“He is a creative problem-solver and a driven entrepreneur, a man of character, integrity, and accomplishment. He excelled at developing consensus among his peers.”
“He is transforming the way business is done, bridging the gap between spirituality and business. Never have I worked with anyone so tenacious, eager, and willing to learn, grow, and evolve.”
“He has a rare ability to combine strategic vision with the interpersonal skill to bring together talented people and realize that vision. His passion for the work was a magnetic draw for employees and investors alike. He is among the most talented senior executives I have ever worked with.”
“Ideas, even good ones, are not rare. What is rare is the ability to take an idea, define its end state, build a plan to get there, and then manage and implement that plan. Quite often those steps are done by different people. Smoke can do them all — and advise you on funding along the way.”
“His unique ability to craft a strategic business plan for brands is unparalleled. He has taken unknown products through every stage to bring them to life, and he is one of the most connected and valuable people I have known in our industry.”
Thought leadership series
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