Tim Laferla is the Brand Manager at Gin Loot, where he focuses on producing content – articles, tasting notes, videos for the brand’s subscriber base.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I started my booze-fuelled career in hospitality from the day I turned 18. After attempting three separate university degrees (Electrical Engineering, Physiotherapy and Marketing), I just loved everything there was to learn about liquor and cocktails, so I just fell into it for the next 12 years.
I worked everywhere from starting out in Pubs and Nightclubs, eventually working with some of the world’s best chefs in Michelin starred restaurants in London. Progression to management was natural, and eventually, I was managing a portfolio of venues.
As time went on, I realised that it was the liquids that I was most in love with, so I started looking to get into the gin game full time, and here I am.
My current role with Gin Loot sees me working with the world’s best distilleries to curate some fantastic products for our Gin Loot subscription where we deliver three samples of gin to your door every month for $49.
I also get to deep dive into content production, whether that be articles, tasting notes and videos that all our subscribers get exclusively. It’s a whole lot of fun, with a whole lot of gin to drink!
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I usually get into work at around 9 am. Check to see if any samples arrive; I like to taste them all straight up, no mixers, ice or garnishes at 9:30 am while checking my emails. Sounds pretty brutal, but my palate is at its best first thing in the morning.
After that, I’ll write some content, tasting notes, articles or scripts for videos. In the afternoon, I’ll design some new products, pick gins and themes for any special occasion coming up or just new fun boxes for our subscribers and the website.
Late in the afternoon, I’ll work with our videographer to record video content or take photos for social media and other digital platforms.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Yes and no, a big part of my job can be done remotely, which is fantastic – I can work with the distilleries and produce written content from anywhere I like!
Unfortunately, the practicalities of filming video content and sampling gins needs to be done somewhere I can get some form of consistency, however coming from Hospitality it is a massive change as before there was no possibility to work remotely, so it feels like absolute freedom for me!
4) What does work-life balance mean to you, and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Work-life balance to me is all about having both the time and energy to do the things that you want to do outside of work.
Whether that be hobbies, time with family and friends or just chill time – it’s a personal thing. I achieve that by setting hard boundaries on my work – times I start and finish work and disabling push notifications on work emails outside of work hours.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Previously working in hospitality, I was on the go all the time, running around venues up and down stairs all day. Since starting my new gin life, I spend a lot more time at a desk and on the video set.
Now with a more consistent schedule, I’ve started to head to the gym or for a run every morning to prepare me for the day – have to burn off all those gin calories somehow!
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
I love the book Setting the Table by Danny Meyer. It’s written by one of the world’s most famous restaurateurs but is a gold-mine of information for any business or organisation.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
My wireless headphones, I have the Powerbeats Pro. The sound quality is impressive. I use them all day for phone calls, virtual tastings and rustic social media content. The little hooks mean I can use them for my running endeavours as well!
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Desmond Payne, he’s the master distiller of Beefeater Gin. He’s been distilling gin for over 50 years now and with Beefeater for 45 of those! To be in the game for that long and consistently he would have to have some amazing tips and tricks on finding that optimal work-life balance.
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