Meet Auday Arabo of Benchmark Beverage Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Auday Arabo.

Auday, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the retail business and have always had an interest in how small and family-owned businesses serve customers.
While I’m an attorney by training, and once worked as an assistant district attorney and for a legislator,

I found my career calling in working with retailers in California, where I grew up, and in Michigan, where my wife and I decided to raise a family. I led business associations and most recently led the Michigan Independent Retailers Association, where I gained experience working with great food and beverage companies, before deciding to focus full-time on Benchmark Beverage, where I’m now the CEO of a family-owned, Michigan-based company that is focusing on growth by developing great brands in spirits and beer.

Through recent mergers and acquisitions, and developing our own products, we are now making and selling popular Michigan brands like Padre tequila and beers like Dark Horse and Brew Detroit and new favorites like Great America, which is a fruit-flavored malt beverage sold in a mason jar. We have also created a new beer – a Sicilian pilsner with a hit of lemon called Limonata.

As we say, we are “raising the bar” for Michigan beverages and working with distributors who are true partners to get these beverages to consumers who are really enjoying them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There are always obstacles to achieving any business goal. However, we have the support of great ownership in the Lipari family and I have the partnership of professionals who understand this industry and bring expertise in manufacturing, AI, sales, marketing, warehouse management, tap room management and legal/compliance support, all under one umbrella. We are putting talent together like never before.

We are growing in a fast-changing market because we have the right people in place at every level. We are committed to continued growth by adding brands through more acquisitions and partnerships, innovative importing and new product development.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m the CEO of a fast-growing, family-owned, Michigan-based manufacturer of spirits and beer brands.

What makes you happy?
When it comes to my work, nothing makes me happier than seeing consumers enjoy our products. We all serve and enjoy beverages when we get together with friends or to celebrate. There’s happiness built into pouring a drink. That’s why we do what we do.

When I’m out seeing our products making their way into glasses and fitting in as part of a night out or a celebration, there’s nothing quite like that feeling. It makes all of our work worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://benchmarkbeverage.com