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March 1987 - October 2009 R.I.P. Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-02-2009 @ 02:53:29 Reply | Edit Most of the time you see a heading like that and you expect the worst. Not this time boys and girls. The reference is to my career in investment banking, asset management, mutual funds, compliance, whatever the fuck you want to call it. I have done it all...and now I am through. Last Friday was my last day of work. Through a mutual agreement between my comany and me we parted ways. It was not something I was expecting completely but it was always in the back of my mind to either leave or hang on until they phased me out, which was inevitable. They tried to fire me for poor performance but I only had 5 years of superior annual and semi-annual reviews, nothing negative at all. Then came qualifications and I went and got another license. Finally they asked me if 3 months salary, a pro-rated bonus, payment for the remaining 5 weeks of vacation I have yet to use and sticking around from late September until the end of October in case anyone had questions (at full pay of course) would be enough incentive to walk away from my job. I spoke with my lawyer and on the threat of an age discrimination suit (I can't get my mind around that, I am only 46) they agreed to word my separation agreement as "position eliminated" so I can collect unemployment, I jumped at the opportunity. I can honestly say that since the day I made the decision to leave I have felt like I hit the lottery. I am in a better mood. I sleep better. My stomach does not start burning on Sunday afternoon in anticipation of Monday Meetings. It is indeed like a weight has been lifted. I hope you all get this feeling at least once in your career. In this economy this kind of decision might be considered career suicide, but I don't intend to go back to that line of work again. That kind of freaked everyone out at the office considering I was the "answer man". I have been around at least twice as long as most of the others in my company, the senior partners are only 2-3 years older than me and one of my bosses is younger than my car. Everyone came to me instead of doing research or going to their boss and that rubbed certain managers the wrong way. I got in people's faces when they argued against me when I knew I was correct. I corrected people's mistakes that would cost us money and I did my work early and made it look easy which pissed off nearly everyone  The last month at the office I have been studying for the WSET (Wine and Spririts Education Trust) intermediate level certification to gain a bit more knowledge about the wine industry and I have been working with a broker to find a nice size wine and liquor store in the area that will net me close to what I currently earn. No more boss, no more arrogant underaged attorneys trying to mkae a name and a buck off my back. no more Board of Directors meetings, no more prospectus updates and regulatory filings, no more reporting evey singel stock, bond and mutual fund I want to buy for fear of insider trading. Now I am taking a big chance and will try to turn a hobby that has really grown on me over the last decade or so into a profitable business. My plan is to buy an existing shop that has positive cash flow and not fuck it up for a while. Eventually add my personality to it, change a few inventory items, do some more marketing, set up a wine club and make it's web presence more effective. I have been fortunate in the last few decades to have paid off student loans, paid off my house, I have no credit card debt and I had just paid off my 2009 Grand Cherokee in August. I have enough saved to last at least a year and plan on paying for at least half of a store in cash in order to generate a decent amount of equity up front in case bad things happen. I start work in 3 weeks a an "intern" at a store nearby that I am in the process of buying. I am working on a deal with the owner to buy 75% of the store up front and have him stay on for the next 2 yrs as either a minority partner or consultant for the remaining 25% so he can work 1/2 a day and still collect his cash and not walk away from a store he built up over the last 22 years. If he wants to stay on after that, we extend the contract. He gets to keep his hands in the business and I get the benefit of his experience, loyal clients and good will. Well, that's it. One career ends and another begins. I have never had to apply for unemployment before, so tomorrow mornig will be a new experience as well. Hopeuflly I only need it until the end of this year. Sorry for rambling on for so long, but it's not like I have to get up early in the morning to go to work or anything like that. -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. [ Edited on 11/02/2009 @ 02:57:37 ] Posted By: 1988irocz On: 11-02-2009 @ 03:13:58 Reply | Top | Edit Congrats on losing the job... errr... moving on Seriously, you are obviously an intelligent guy, so long as you don't mind working hard, there is no reason why you shouldn't succeed at whatever you do. Props to you for having the balls to walk away from whats comfortable into something new. Thats something I'm still working on. --  [ Edited on 11/02/2009 @ 03:14:22 ] Posted By: snuffles On: 11-02-2009 @ 07:55:55 Reply | Top | Edit Congrats on losing the job... errr... moving on 
And Nick, FYI, you cannot quit or get fired from being Fbody.com's financial guru. You're stuck giving us advice. Sorry. -- 
"give me 2-3 mins and she will be having to use adult diapers for the rest of her life ." -Chin0 ryanfx owns me Posted By: Calaban007 On: 11-02-2009 @ 08:04:48 Reply | Top | Edit Good Luck! Start selling nothing but MD 20/20, 5 0'clock Vodka, and Boone's Farm Wine and you'll do fine.  -- 
1995 Camaro Z28, M6, T-Top Conversion, CAI, SFC's & 1989 IROC-Z restoration in progress Posted By: Rynb15 On: 11-02-2009 @ 08:05:51 Reply | Top | Edit Hope it all works out for ya, sounds like it will be a lot more fun then your last job -- Sold 
95 Black Z28,M6,Hooker shorty headers, Hooker 3inch catback, flowtech cutout, Spec stage 3 clutch,K&N Cai,Granatelli Maf,1LE Inatke Elbow, airfoil, 160 degree thermostat,LT4 KM, MSD wires,NGK TR6 plugs,short throw shifter,NX wet kit 100 shot, MSD window switch, N.O.S. purge  Posted By: jumper297 On: 11-02-2009 @ 08:14:07 Reply | Top | Edit Good luck Nick... I've got no doubt you've analyzed this change to the n-th degree so I'm sure this will be a success for you. I always like when people have the balls to walk away from a sure thing and pursue something that they want. -- 95 Formula 1 of 7,448 
"Life is too short to drive a slow car." Posted By: 4Birdman On: 11-02-2009 @ 08:21:00 Reply | Top | Edit "a hobby that has really grown on me over the last decade or so into a profitable business" Wow, liquor has been a hobby of mine for over a decade, too!
But seriously, congrats Nick! The good thing is, when unemployment goes up, spending on alcohol goes up as well. Sad to think of it like that, but liquor sales are one of those markets that just don't get tagged in the down times. I'm sure you already know that though. Very happy for you man, hope you send me some whiskey for my 30th birthday.  -- 
1998 Trans Am - A little bit stock 1974 AMC AMX - The Grape Ape - 401/4-spd PatriotDream.org - Help build a soldier's dream car Posted By: assbreeze On: 11-02-2009 @ 09:11:24 Reply | Top | Edit Liquor stores and prostitutes, the two things that are totally economy-proof. I knew one day you'd pick one or the other. -- crunk is the antichrist. Posted By: Tyrel On: 11-02-2009 @ 09:41:26 Reply | Top | Edit I am stoked for you. Very courageous to walk away from a career like yours and start something new. You're very intelligent, and calculated. You're gonna enjoy working for yourself. --  Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-02-2009 @ 10:06:30 Reply | Top | Edit Thanks guys. It may sound like a bold move but it turns out I did not have much of a choice. I got lucky and had enough seniority and leverage to make a comfortable exit. Others have just been told to leave and got nothing. Had I walked out the door back in September they would have been royally fucked. They were looking to cut costs and it appears that I was a major cost In the long run they save serious money and I get some folding money to get myself started in something else
Their loss is my gain. Alcohol is rather recession proof, worldwide sales increased less tha 1% during the last year, but they did increase. It is like being a drug dealer except you are selling a legalized product that people will by no matter what their circumstances. I have not yet ruled out pimping but in my neck of the woods I would have to limit my stable to cougars and MILFS and they do not have long careers. If working by myself is as much fun as playing with myself then I am gonna be a huge success!! -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. Posted By: Tyrel On: 11-02-2009 @ 11:27:06 Reply | Top | Edit
You crack me up man. -- Posted By: Jeremiah On: 11-02-2009 @ 12:55:38 Reply | Top | Edit Good luck! -- 2005 CTS-V LS6 M6 13.627@105.14 stock and hot/humid  Posted By: ThumperNC24 On: 11-02-2009 @ 13:30:20 Reply | Top | Edit don't forget about the beer too! I know I am willing to travel a little further to go to a liquor store with a better micro brew selection. Good beer rocks. -- 
99 Pewter Trans Am M6 - FLP LTs, Corsa Catback, BMR STB, UMI Adj. PHB, LT1 Pro-Kit, Koni Sport 4/3, BMR Adj. LCAs, K&N CAI, LS6 intake, Thunder Racing Custom Cam, T/A Girdle, Richmond 4.10s, Cartek Stage III clutch, Line Lock, Comp 918s and Ti Retainers, Hardened Pushrods, Kenny Brown DD SFCs, 160* Thermo, 18" HP Evo Wheels, Super Hawk Hood, some other stuff http://www.fquick.com/ThumperNC24 Posted By: stevethepirate On: 11-02-2009 @ 17:08:37 Reply | Top | Edit Congrats. I'm not too clear on what you are trying to start up, but the wine business is a FAIL in the states. It is impossible to find a legitimate wine store that a. has good wine, b. isn't extremely overpriced, and c. isn't operated by obnoxious pricks. The place that we used to buy wine from in Italy was a run-down barn that would fill up 1.5 liter bottles of water with wine for 1 euro. Some of the best wine I have ever had. Granted it is a different country and culture, but wine is not one of those things that needs the hoity-toity image. I think there would be huge success if you managed to establish a relaxed environment in which everyone felt comfortable coming in and finding a good bottle. -- 
<3<3<3<3 Posted By: Tyrel On: 11-02-2009 @ 17:13:12 Reply | Top | Edit i agree with Steveothepervo. Also, Scotch. There is a new breed of scotch drinkers that don't know shite about it and are nervous to ask questions and try stuff. Scotch is going to be like wine was 10 years ago. Hoity toity pricks are going to make it out to be some sort of exclusive suckadick club. -- Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-02-2009 @ 18:29:22 Reply | Top | Edit The deal I am working on is to buy an existing wine and liquor store in the county I live in in NY. NY regulates such stores to carry Wine and distilled spirits only. Beer is out. Cigs are out. The state also stipulates that any person or entity can only own 1 store within the state. My ideal was to open in CT where you can sell beer, wine, liquor cigs and lottery and porn. No good locations open at the moment. As for the store I am interested in, the current owner is also a Sommelier and has been for over 20 years. The main inventory is in the $12 - $30 price range for wine and a few select hard liquors. The price range for wine is spot on for the current economy and sales are up nearly 10% from 2008. There is also a rare wine room in the back where prices range in the $50 - $1,000 bottle range and we consult on personal collections and restaurant wine lists. We also do weekly tastings back there. My goal is to expand the bourbons, scotches and gins and vodkas to meet current trends as well as to bring in a more refined drinker who muht like to expand their horizons in thise libations as well. I am also going to expand the existin website to allow customer comments on wines, etc a well as establish a wine club. $30 or $40 gets you 2-3 bottles each month that are not in our regular stock and are eworth more than the monthly membership. Members also receive15% discounts on case orders and 10% off on any purchase in the store made with their ID numbers. As for the customers, most are from one of the highest per capit income areas in the US which is less than 1 milee down the road and we would be the 1st store they come to (or last depending on direction travelled) Our selection will meet their needs as well as give them numerous options to try other wines, etc in various price ranges. If the deal goes through and I can boost revenues by 10 in year one then I will consider it a major success. If I break even then it is a regular old success. -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. [ Edited on 11/02/2009 @ 18:33:10 ] Posted By: stevethepirate On: 11-03-2009 @ 11:42:35 Reply | Top | Edit Keep us updated... When we moved back from Italy we had to leave our wine collection (thank you, patriot act). Narrowed it down to our best 150-200 bottles hoping that a wine importer in the states could help us bring it in. No such luck though. We are always looking for good wine stores. My dad is picky (mainly about the preservatives in the wine), so he could be a new customer for you. --
<3<3<3<3 Posted By: Tyrel On: 11-03-2009 @ 12:18:30 Reply | Top | Edit I wonder if i could become a member and you could ship me the different wines. I would love that. -- Posted By: crunkmaro On: 11-03-2009 @ 12:47:13 Reply | Top | Edit maybe u can find me some of the good johnnie walker blends...-- Posted By: 2piececrank On: 08-01-2009 @ 00:00:56 Reply | Top | Edit Sarav, how hard is it to follow Nietzsche? I read Machiavelli's The Prince earlier this year, and the only thing that was clear was to not trust mercenary infantry while fighting on the peninsula. Posted By: Tyrel On: 11-03-2009 @ 12:53:59 Reply | Top | Edit  -- Posted By: raven97 On: 11-03-2009 @ 19:34:30 Reply | Top | Edit Point me to a good Bourbon my friend  Good luck with your venture.-- John 
Posted By: ChimpysZ28 On: 11-03-2009 @ 19:36:47 Reply | Top | Edit i better inform the rents of this..they collect fine wines. Congrats oneowner --  Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-03-2009 @ 21:44:44 Reply | Top | Edit As far as bourbons go, you can't miss with any of the labels listed in this link. My personal favorites are of the Pappy Van Winkle and Van Winkle Family labels. I opened a 23yr old $200 bottle of Pappy Van Winkle on Friday in order to properly commemorate my last day in the office and had a couple friends over to taste and should be done with the bottle in a day or two. This is serious, very small production (700 bottles period) sippin stuff. Mix it with coke and I will come over there and kill you. Blanton's is readily available and is so nice and smooth you could have it with ice cream. Have fun, try them all 
I have a feeling I'm gonna end up taking booze on here the same way I did investing. I should have my own "Ask Nick" page next to the "Ask-Breeze" page -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. Posted By: JerseyFrank On: 11-03-2009 @ 23:25:36 Reply | Top | Edit economic law is in its worst slump in a million years, all the associate programs are cut waaay back or done away with altogether, lot of folks losin their jobs, least in ole nyc. -- Current: 2004 Deville, bone stock livery. Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-04-2009 @ 00:23:44 Reply | Top | Edit Si My outside counsel only billed us an average of $300,000/month this year. Sux for them, eh. Only one of the guys on the 8-person team assigned to my company made partner. -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. Posted By: JerseyFrank On: 11-04-2009 @ 06:28:36 Reply | Top | Edit victory blvd ftw. Bay ridge. have a few friends scramblin to pay their loans. yu ride a moto-bike perchance? -- Current: 2004 Deville, bone stock livery. Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-04-2009 @ 10:39:34 Reply | Top | Edit I ride no more. Back in '87 I left my 79 Harley 1200 Ironhead (or what was left of it) in front of my old apartment in Philly when I left grad school. I told the homeless guy who lived in front of the place to take it. -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. Posted By: JerseyFrank On: 11-04-2009 @ 12:14:32 Reply | Top | Edit ah, shame shame. -- Current: 2004 Deville, bone stock livery. Posted By: OneOwner On: 11-04-2009 @ 20:29:41 Reply | Top | Edit Considering I layed it down twice right before then, which was twice more than I wanted to, and I was hit by a car while riding in Center City I figured I was better off. -- When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained - Samuel Clemens Go wake up the Gimp. Posted By: fergymoto On: 11-04-2009 @ 21:11:09 Reply | Top | Edit That's awesome Nick. Congrats and best wishes with your new establishment -- 
2001 WS6 M6 - TSP 233/239 cam, D&D Viper spec T56, Textralia OZ700, 12 bolt with 4.10s, some suspension, Hooker headers & catback, LS6 intake, ported TB & MAF, SLP lid 1997 Trans Am WS6 - LSX swap coming soon. 1998 TA M6 - miss it... RIP --- Posted By: JerseyFrank On: 11-05-2009 @ 05:30:54 Reply | Top | Edit im still recouping from gettin hit by a city bus off central park west. its awesome in traffic. once went over the brooklyn bridge hitting every other rear-view with my handlebars. -- Current: 2004 Deville, bone stock livery.
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