Rising Stars: Meet Nate Fabian of Wilmington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nate Fabian.

Hi Nate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Spirits & Solutions started as a passion project that grew out of nearly twenty-five years in the hospitality world—about ten of those spent behind the bar. After working in restaurants and bars of all kinds, I realized that what I loved most wasn’t just creating great cocktails—it was helping other operators build programs that actually worked. Ones that were creative and engaging, but also efficient, profitable, and built on a positive culture.

A huge part of that perspective came from my time at Pinpoint Restaurant, where I learned the difference between being a manager and being a leader—and where I really began to understand the distinction between service and hospitality. Those lessons shaped how I approach everything I do now, from training teams to designing guest experiences that feel intentional and genuine.

I launched Spirits & Solutions to bring that mindset to life. What started as helping a few friends price cocktails and train their staff has grown into a full beverage consulting and education business. Today, I work with restaurants, bars, and event venues across North Carolina—helping them refine their beverage programs, develop their teams, and create experiences that truly resonate with guests.

Whether I’m building a cocktail menu, teaching a bourbon or tequila class, or hosting events like the Port City Shake-Up, my goal is always the same: to elevate the craft of hospitality and help others thrive in an industry I care deeply about.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road — but I don’t think it’s supposed to be. Building Spirits & Solutions meant stepping away from the comfort of managing someone else’s bar and taking full ownership of every decision, success, and setback. Early on, I had to learn how to translate years of hands-on bar experience into a consulting model that brought real, measurable value to clients.

There were moments of Imposter Syndrome, late nights building spreadsheets and cost models from scratch, and the constant challenge of balancing creativity with business realities. But those same struggles helped me develop the systems and perspective that define my work today — helping others avoid the mistakes I had to learn the hard way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At its core, Spirits & Solutions is about helping hospitality professionals succeed. I specialize in building beverage programs that are as profitable as they are creative—programs that make sense behind the bar and on the balance sheet. My work covers everything from cocktail menu development and staff training to cost control systems and guest experience design.

I’m known for bridging the gap between creativity and operations. It’s one thing to design a beautiful cocktail; it’s another to make sure that drink fits within pour cost goals, can be executed consistently by every bartender, and still delivers a memorable guest experience. That’s where I come in. I help owners and managers fine-tune the balance between art and efficiency so their teams can thrive.

What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has on people—the bartenders who gain confidence through education, the managers who start to see their numbers improve, and the guests who notice the difference when hospitality feels genuine. I’ve been fortunate to turn my experience into something that helps others grow, whether through consulting, private events, or educational programs like spirits classes and cocktail competitions.

What sets Spirits & Solutions apart is a focus on real-world results paired with a genuine love for the craft. It’s not about chasing trends—it’s about helping people build sustainable, successful programs that reflect who they are and why they do what they do.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My partner Jasmine, and our dogs Gary and Cookie… to quote the late Jane Goodall: “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.”

Pricing:

• $99 cocktail menu pricing audit. You’ll receive a full COGS analysis of your cocktail menu, as well as a complimentary marketing strategy and suggested adjustments where applicable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spiritsandsolutions.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/spiritsandsolutions
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/spiritsandsolutions