BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Learn from Leaders is just one way the Lakeland Business Management program provides value-added experiences for our students and community. Access to local leaders in business management, human resources, entrepreneurship and leadership gives students and community members the opportunity to learn from the best, ask questions and gain invaluable insight into the business world.

Our spring 2022 series welcomes special guests Sam Shah, chief operating officer of Red, Wine & Brew (Chesterland, Mentor, Westlake); and Christine Weber, president and chief executive officer of Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. All attendees will be entered into a gift card giveaway!

Each event requires separate registration, so be sure to sign up for both!

• March 3, 2022 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Sam Shah - Room T-129
• March 30, 2022 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Christine Weber

Please note, you'll receive an email from messenger@webex.com before the event. Be sure to add the address to your contact list.

View the live presentation videos from our previous guests here.

Sam Shah is the chief operating officer and a 50 percent shareholder in three Red, Wine & Brew restaurants and two hotels that he owns and operates with different partners. It has been Sam's mission to make all their businesses synonymous with a "wow" experience! They strive to achieve this through amazing selection, exceptional customer service, quality products and knowledgeable staff. Sam's primary role is to provide management support and direction to his team, find opportunities for growth, and improve systems and processes for better experiences – both for the guests and the employees.

Sam's journey in business started in 1992 when he first moved from India with his parents and sister at the age of 16. They worked odd jobs to save money and his dad purchased a grocery store in Painesville in 1994. Starting his journey there and over the years since then, Sam has gained real world, hands-on experience by starting and operating new businesses – retail, restaurant, and hotel – from the ground up while building leadership teams around him, which has ultimately fueled his growth.

Sam is very internally motivated with a customer-centric mindset to deliver results at a high standard. He also loves the challenges that comes with owning a small business. Some of the personal values that are paramount to him are to embrace and drive change, be creative and open-minded, invest in continuous learning, communicate honestly, listen empathetically, foster team spirit, be humble, and have fun!

He is happily married for 22 years and has two boys, ages 17 and 13, and a mini golden doodle. In his down time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, taking road trips, exploring new places and countries, watching movies, going for walks, playing cards, and drinking wine. As a passionate entrepreneur who truly embraces continued education, he has gone back to school to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University. Sam is also a Lakeland alumni who graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 2019.

Christine joined the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce in 1995. In 2017, Christine was appointed as the president and CEO of the chamber and is responsible for developing and maintaining an effective chamber of commerce, meeting the needs of the local business community. She manages the finances for the chamber, the Lake County Safety Council, and the MACC Foundation overseeing the overall operating budget. She is also responsible for the planning and oversight of chamber events, including the annual golf outing and Taste of Mentor.

Christine plays a fundamental role in serving as a leader to collaborate on key issues for the city of Mentor, local businesses and the manufacturing community. Christine has a business management degree from Lakeland Community College and was inducted into their alumni hall of fame in 2018.  She is a lifelong resident of Mentor and a graduate of Mentor High School.