OPERATOR → ENTREPRENEUR → BRAND BUILDER → INVESTOR

I see what a business could become. Then I build it.

From iconic brands to an award-winning vodka, a venture studio, founder media, and overlooked real estate, I turn potential into businesses designed to endure.

See what I’m building Meet Monté

LET THE STORY BEGIN

Brand Strategy Commercialization Operations Consumer Products Real Estate Founder Media Brand Strategy Commercialization Operations Consumer Products Real Estate Founder Media

My Story

Different chapters. Same builder.

What started in engineering evolved into a career spanning operations, brand building, entrepreneurship, and investing. Across every chapter, the goal has remained the same: identifying opportunity and creating value.

I don't approach businesses solely as an engineer, operator, marketer, or investor. I look for the intersection of systems, story, customer insight, and execution discipline; the combination required to create durable growth.

Engineer

Engineering taught me how systems work, how bottlenecks form, and how scale is created.

Operator

Leading teams across multiple industries taught me that great ideas only matter when they execute.

Executive

More than a decade helping lead global brands provided a front-row seat to how category leaders are built, scaled, and sustained.

Builder

Blackleaf, Proof Theory, The Liquid Entrepreneur, and real estate became platforms for applying those lessons firsthand - building, investing, and creating value from the ground up.

Businesses & Platforms

Four platforms. One pursuit of value.

Brand Builder

Blackleaf Organic Vodka

Award-winning premium spirits brand co-founded to prove that organic, design-forward brands can compete at the highest levels of the industry.

First French Organic Vodka available in the U.S.
Multiple Double Gold awards and Platinum recognition
Built from concept to hundreds of accounts

Explore Blackleaf

VENTURE BUILDER

Proof Theory

A beverage venture studio built to launch and scale brands through the combination of entrepreneurial execution, industry expertise, and operator discipline.

Strategy, commercialization, and execution
Beverage industry expertise from startup to Fortune 500
Built to help great brands move beyond capital

Explore Proof Theory

FOUNDER MEDIA

The Liquid Entrepreneur

Conversations with founders, operators, investors, and leaders about the realities of building, growing, and leading businesses.

Founder and host
Founder and executive conversations
Entrepreneurship, leadership, and growth

Listen now

ASSET OWNERSHIP

Long-term value creation

Identifying overlooked properties, creating value through renovation and disciplined management, and building long-term wealth through ownership.

Distressed property acquisition and renovation
Long-term buy-and-hold approach
Cash flow and value creation focus

Learn more

HOW I CREATE VALUE

I see what a business could become. Then I build what it needs to get there.

Find the Opportunity

Identify what makes a business valuable, where growth exists, and what others may be overlooking.

Shape the Story

Positioning, branding, messaging, and customer insight that create relevance and demand.

Build the Engine

Systems, processes, leadership, accountability, and execution that turn strategy into results.

Create Momentum

Distribution, partnerships, commercialization, revenue growth, and scalable go-to-market execution.

Make It Endure

Building brands, businesses, and assets designed for long-term value creation and sustainable growth.

Proof

Proof, not promises.

Years across Fortune 500 & global enterprises

Retail & on-premise accounts

Double Gold awards

0/0

Retail and DTC markets

Capital raised

People led

Founder & executive conversations

Business platforms built

Featured In

Thoughts

Field notes from building businesses, creating value, and learning in public.

Building Businesses

Making Organic Sexy

Principles I Live By

Simple rules. Hard-earned through execution.

Execution Wins

Ideas matter. Execution matters more.

Build for the Long Term

Enduring businesses are rarely built overnight.

Density Before Expansion

Depth creates leverage.

Support Is a Verb

Relationships are measured through actions, not intentions.

The Pivot Isn’t Failure

Adaptation is often survival.

Placeholder future-facing workspace image

What’s Next

Still building.

Monté is focused on consumer products and CPG, business acquisitions, strategic partnerships, fractional leadership, advisory and board opportunities, and brand commercialization.

Consumer products Acquisitions Partnerships Advisory Commercialization

Let’s Connect

For partnerships, acquisitions, advisory work, or a good conversation.

Every message is read personally. If there's an opportunity to create value together, I'll be in touch.

I see what a business could become. Then I build it.

Different chapters. Same builder.

Engineer

Operator

Executive

Builder

Four platforms. One pursuit of value.

I see what a business could become. Then I build what it needs to get there.

Find the Opportunity

Shape the Story

Build the Engine

Create Momentum

Make It Endure

Proof, not promises.

Field notes from building businesses, creating value, and learning in public.

The Difference Between Building a Brand and Building a Business

The Pivot Isn’t Failure. It’s Survival.

What Raising $700K Taught Me About Entrepreneurship

The Mental Load of a Founder

Support Is a Verb

Making Organic Sexy

Simple rules. Hard-earned through execution.

Execution Wins

Build for the Long Term

Density Before Expansion

Support Is a Verb

The Pivot Isn’t Failure

Still building.

For partnerships, acquisitions, advisory work, or a good conversation.