David Kanbar

David Kanbar has always had roots in the alcohol industry. From the time he was younger and watching his uncle Maurice found SKYY brand spirits, David knew he’d found one of his passions. In college at New York University, David studied economics and as his studies progressed, so did evidence of his entrepreneurial spirit. At the same time as he was taking classes and studying for school, Kanbar was founding and running several businesses that include a vending machine business and a car detailing business. After the success he experienced with his side businesses from college, David decided to foster his entrepreneurial talents and joined the real estate game by founding a mortgage brokerage business. David stayed with his business for over four years, growing it and shaping it until it was ready to sell. Once he sold his business, David decided to head to the West Coast and try out his talents in San Francisco.   In 1995 David began his career in the alcoholic beverage industry by stepping on as the Executive Vice President of SKYY Spirits and helping to foster the company’s brand and iconic reputation. After staying with SKYY for a few years, David’s entrepreneurial spirit crept back up and soon enough David had founded a business in the alcohol industry: Bambu Rum Premium Imports LLC. It was with this business that David pursued his goal of redefining and exemplifying fine rum; he created Bambu’s White Rum and thus introduced the “ultra-premium” category of rum. David stayed with Bambu for three years before leaving to pursue yet another venture, founding Bulldog Gin Company. Here David also exhibited his skills in rebranding; one of his entrepreneurial talents is being able to identify “white spaces” in the alcohol market and determine a way to cater to that niche. Since industry trends showed that there were those who had grown tired of the oversaturation of vodka in the market, David worked to develop a “newer, sexier gin” to rebrand the spirit’s image and satisfy the market’s need.   After leaving Bulldog, David next venture is perhaps his most well-known contribution to the alcohol industry. Alongside Real Housewife star Bethenny Frankel, Kanbar co-founded the low-calorie Skinnygirl Cocktails brand. This low-calorie creation, too, filled a “white space”: women who were watching their weight but didn’t want to give up alcohol. Skinnygirl Cocktails achieved incredible success, and was the fastest-selling spirit in 2010.   After collaborating with Frankel, David teamed up with another reality star, Pauly D. of MTV’s Jersey Shore. Pauly D. wanted to created a signature vodka drink, so together the pair foudned REMIX Cocktails, a ready-to-drink vodka cocktail that’s available in a variety of fruity flavors.   David Kanbar now serves as the COO of London Group, LLC where he oversees the importing and exporting of Nuvo, one of the most popular and successful brands of alcohol in the country. Rafael Yukobe, Kanbar’s business partner, purchased Nuvo and brought David on as the manager of finance, sales, and production as well as the key branding strategist.   Even though he’s put his focus on the alcohol industry, David Kanbar has always remained loyal to his real estate roots. Seeing as how the real estate industry has impacted his professional growth and development, David continues to invest in lucrative real estate areas, namely Brooklyn.   Recently, David and his wife were honored by Americans for Israel and Torah (AMIT) for their compassion and commitment to educating poor and underprivileged children throughout Israel.  

Alcohol industry, marketing, business, entrepreneurship, real estate