Richard Sager is the General Manager of Nio Cocktails which feature as an option in our ‘build your own’ packages and in our recently launched The Cocktail Package. They are unsurprisingly popular especially the Cosmopolitan and all you have to do is add ice. Perfect. 

This month we are putting the spotlight on some of our suppliers and sharing stories of how their business came about and how they have coped during a pandemic. 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a husband and dad (my son is 12 and daughter 10), love watching most sport and doing sport (triathlons of all distances) and enjoy peated scotch and of course, wonderful cocktails.

How has the pandemic impacted your business

We’ve been fortunate to experience strong demand during COVID. NIO was founded in 2017 with a vision to drive a cocktail revolution, to change or expand people repertoire of drinks that can be enjoyed at home. As a result of lockdown and the closure of bars, restaurants, etc, NIO attracted a lot of consumers who not only wanted to continuing enjoying cocktails but also wanted to share NIO with friends and family and have virtual catch ups. So remaining socially connected even if physically separated.

A lot of our packages are sent for people going through something, whether that’s illness or a break up or a tough time at work. What’s your go-to product or thing to do when you’re feeling the need for TLC? 

My family, scotch or my bike (though not necessarily in that order)

A really thoughtful thing someone has done for you? 

I struggled with this one, not because of the lack of thoughtfulness shown by my friends but because in general they are thoughtful. But I think it’s the small things right now, so a quick phone call to find out how you’re doing, the meaningful offer of help if overworked. Simple things.

Your toughest challenge?

Last year I would have said the training for an ironman, but I truly think I’m living my toughest challenge right now. There’s so much to do, and of course not enough time to do it even with the long hours the team is working. So it’s about making sure we can maintain the pace without diluting the NIO brand, which oftentimes means making decisions on things we have to say no to.

What makes you laugh?

My kids

Words to live by? 

If it were easy, everyone would do it.

Complete this sentence:

I wish everything were a little bit easier for everyone right now.

And finally, given the madness of the last few months, how are you? 

Exhausted and excited!

Check out our instagram for this weeks giveaway which a Nio Cocktail Experience Pack and The Cocktail Package.