We live in the small things.
Small Victories is a boutique distribution portfolio. We act as an incubator and curator of small brands, helping them get to where they want to go with a particular focus on the NY/NJ market.
Philosophy
We started Small Victories 2024 with the goal of helping some of our wine and spirits clients and friends prove concept and garner the right attention in New York and New Jersey. We also represent creations from our own team members through the Project Optimist portfolio. Like so many other great distributors, we believe in rising tides floating all well-made boats, but we believe our dedication to transparency, incubation, and process makes us unique.
Our goal as a distributor is to do the right things well. We aim to excel at customer connection and service as well as bring value to our suppliers and customers. We operate in corners of the market that applaud extra story telling or are looking for thoughtful fits.
Many of our producers are in search of or aspire to work with larger and more powerful import and distribution partners. Finding those connections for them and providing the data and strategy to make their next steps successful is part of our work.
Meet the Team
Founder
Will kicked off his career as a sommelier and bar director for the NYC legend, Eli Zabar, mastering the ins and outs of New York City's wine scene. He then moved into the world of retail and auctions with Zachy’s, gaining deep expertise in fine and rare wines and spirits. He continued managing private wine collections while shifting his focus to work with expanding premium spirits brands.
After 8 years in blending/production and commercial management, Will launched 3 companies in the beverage space: WellSpun Consulting, Project Optimist Specialty Spirits, and Small Victories Imports.
Will Schragis
Celia Erickson
Portfolio Manager
Celia launched her career as a sommelier for renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer, sharpening her skills at iconic NYC spots like Maialino and Gramercy Tavern. She later became the wine director for James Beard semi-finalist Chef Dan Kluger. From there, Celia took on the position of wine director for Delicious Hospitality, where she curated the iconic wine programs for Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones, Bar Pasquale, Legacy Records, and Silver Sands Motel & Beach Bungalows.
In her role with Small Victories, Celia works closely with wine and spirits producers and keeps a strong pulse on trends amongst NYC sommeliers.
Sales Manager Southeast
Based in Northern Florida, Amanda has worked extensively in sales both at the brand level and inside large and small distributors. She has territory managed for Constellation Wine and Spirits division, she has regionally managed in the Craft Spirits space, and she has full-book sold within SGWS (and lives to tell about it).
Most importantly, Amanda thrives in setting goals, being creative about each scenario’s strategy, and being competitive about crossing the finish line by any means necessary. Amanda pushes our team by rolling with whatever punches are thrown our way, and never taking no as an answer when it matters.
Amanda Biggar
Brand Development Manager
Claire has spent over a decade representing some of the world’s top wine estates. She navigates the realms of PR, marketing, and client services, cultivating a loyal following and generating the right buzz. Early in her career, Claire lived in Italy, where she curated bespoke gourmet travel experiences and represented premier food, wine, and hospitality brands through a public relations firm. Upon returning to New York, she expanded her expertise as an Italian Portfolio Director for the PR firm Colangelo & Partners and later with the fine wine importer Vintus.
At Small Victories, Claire connects news and bottles with those who will amplify them most effectively.
Claire Hennessy
Sales Manager Northeast
Lindsay is a seasoned wine and spirits professional with a deep-rooted passion for fostering community and championing purpose-driven brands. Her career spans dynamic roles in both hospitality and sales, from curating thoughtful wine lists and training teams at top New York restaurants like NoHo Hospitality and the John Fraser Restaurant Group to leading sales and distributor partnerships across the Northeast for craft and global brands.
As the sales manager for Small Victories in NY and NJ, Lindsay leverages over a decade of industry connections to expertly place the right products in the hands of those who truly appreciate them.
Lindsay Gulics
CTO
Jay West brings a unique blend of expertise to the Small Victories team, with a background spanning software, data, privacy, and alcohol retail sales and logistics. As a moderator for some of the internet's most passionate wine and spirits communities, he serves as a vital liaison between brands and consumers, making him one of the industry’s most sought-after community connectors.
Jay leads the Small Victories Portfolio’s online presence and offers valuable guidance on digital consumer engagement and strategy. A true "unicorn," Jay not only deeply understands what makes the portfolio's products exceptional, but also excels at connecting with and selling to discerning, underserved consumer audiences.
Jay West
Imagery and Design Associate
Eli Dreyfus is a creative director, designer, illustrator, and cartoonist living in Brooklyn. As a creative asset, Eli prioritizes communication and deep concept development and analysis, knowing that everyone is always just a step away from their most creative and insightful ideas.
Eli works with Small Victories to design the portfolio’s graphic assets and advises on in labels, ads, graphics, and typography.
Eli Dreyfus
Director of Client Services
Santosh brings nearly two decades of experience to Small Victories, with a background spanning investment banking, wine auctions, and direct-to-consumer sales.
Santosh began his wine career at Zachys Wine Auctions, where he spent three years as a Wine Specialist and Marketing & Public Relations Manager. He later moved into wine importing and direct-to-consumer sales at VINTUS, where he built and launched the company’s direct-to-consumer division. Today, he works closely with private collectors across the country, offering access to highly collectible and rare wines from around the world including those that lie within the Small Victories Portfolio.
