My biggest handicap was starting from a knowledge base of zero. I started our farm and then progressed to farmstay (agritourism: combining agriculture and tourism), and then brought a vineyard and winery to the mix! All of those I learned from the ground up. I am one of those lifelong learners who thrives on taking on challenges. I envision what the end result should be and then set about conquering each step and obstacle until I'm there. And, baby, I'm THERE. twenty six years in the making, and the vision lives on.
Earlier on though, I faced big critics. I was born and raised on the Space Coast of Florida where the weather is fine, the surf is always up, and progress is king, but when my family and I moved to a very small town in West Tennessee in 2006, life changed drastically. It was a town (and county, for that matter) where things are done the way they've always been done and nobody rocks the boat. Enter a forty-something from Florida who would turn their world upside down. Naysayers? Let's just say there were plenty. A winery in what amounted to a dry county? Never would happen. But it did, and, contrary to the Naysayers, it wasn't as bad as they thought or intended it to be.
With that being said, I did face challenges when I was ready to bring the winery to life. I had so many things going against me at the time: no knowledge base, no experience, no idea of where to start. I mean, hey, we're talking big responsibility and dealing with entities like state and federal governments. Every little "i" had to be dotted and every little "t" had to be crossed. When I was certain that it was far, far above my pay grade, I made the executive decision to call in a team of professionals to make sure things were done right.
Although I've accomplished tremendous goals, it doesn't mean that my internal Naysayer doesn't nag me. Constantly reminding me of how ill-equipped I am, swimming in the ocean with the big sharks. How do I counter that? With an affirmation I learned a long time ago: I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggone it, people like me! Works like a charm.
Next up, my adult son and I will be building my permanent winery building. Not
contracting it--BUILDING it. And, at 61, it's a big ask!
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