Jonathan Pogash is the Cocktail Guru

At Groundwork, we’re lucky to be surrounded by members who bring unique expertise and passion to their fields, and Jonathan Pogash is no exception. Known as “The Cocktail Guru,” Jonathan is a Beverage Educator and Consultant who has built a career around creativity, adaptability, and an ever-changing schedule. From working with bars and restaurants around the world to balancing life on the road with focused time at Groundwork, he thrives in the variety his profession brings. In this member spotlight, we get a glimpse into his daily routine, his approach to productivity, and what keeps him inspired in his work.

What’s your profession?

Beverage Educator and Consultant

Describe a typical work day for you.

Generally M-F, 10am-3pm remote (at Groundwork), and on the road traveling quite a bit when I’m not local.

What’s the biggest challenge you face at your job?

Some people may call the instability of my job a challenge, but for me it’s all I know. I’ve never worked a traditional 9-5. I’ve always been chasing the next big thing and realize that I thrive in that sort of work environment. I have some things that are consistent from year to year for me, but for the most part certain months look very different from year to year. Another inconsistency is my travel schedule, which can be somewhat erratic. This poses a challenge within my work/life balance and it’s something that I’m constantly working on.

Do you have a morning routine?

I try to go to the Y each day to work out when I first wake up. I’ll then come home, shower, change, and make my way to Groundwork.

What are your favorite productivity tips or hacks?

Set aside hours as a daily routine to focus and get the majority of your work done. I’ve been pretty diligent about this since my early days of small business ownership. Trying not to let tasks pile up is another tip, and I’ve found that making lists when things start to get overwhelming is a huge help.

What do you listen to during the day?

Just the hum of the workspace around me.

How do you benefit from using a coworking space?

I very much enjoy the like-mindedness of everyone else around me in the space. We seem to all be very focused and task-driven, while remaining friendly and casual in a bright and airy space.