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Life Advice in the Wine Industry
To Celebrate International Women's Day, Jules shares advice from her start in the Wine Industry
Life Advice in the Wine Industry
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Jules pays it forward by looking back over her career so far and sharing some of the most useful pieces of advice she’s been given (or wishes she’d been given!) when she was starting out in the wine industry.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Jules shares some of the most useful pieces of advice she’s been given (or wishes she’d been given!) when she was starting out in the wine industry.
#1 SELF BELIEF
Wow, just five pieces of advice - this isn’t easy!
Starting out in the industry back in the nineties was hard. Some people discouraged me but more gave me encouragement. The most difficult thing in the beginning was having enough self-belief that I could make it as a winemaker. It took a long time.
I remember crying at (fellow winemaker) Matt Thomson’s house and him giving me a serious pep talk…. It was back in 1994 during my first harvest. It wasn’t so much that I was struggling with the industry being an old boys club but more generally struggling with adjusting to my first real job. The huge expectations, both my own and of others, were hard to manage as a twenty-two-year-old. Working long hours, learning new tasks and adjusting to the unrelenting pressure we put on ourselves….it is the same in any industry I’m sure.
So, first piece of advice (thanks Matt): Believe in yourself!
#2 BORROW MONEY TO MAKE MONEY
The second piece of advice comes from my Dad. Gordy always says, ‘You’ve got to borrow money to make money’. That one is certainly true.
When George and I started Jules Taylor Wines, we didn’t own any land, any winery equipment or really much of anything in the beginning. Our biggest asset was a really good coffee machine! (That did come in handy though…) Our banking partners have been so amazing in their support over the years.
We also couldn't have done without the support of our growers, distributors and suppliers - having good relationships with these amazing people has been critical over the years.
#2 BORROW MONEY TO MAKE MONEY
The second piece of advice comes from my Dad. Gordy always says, ‘You’ve got to borrow money to make money’. That one is certainly true.
When George and I started Jules Taylor Wines, we didn’t own any land, any winery equipment or really much of anything when JTW was starting out. Our biggest asset was a really good coffee machine! (That did come in handy though…) Our banking partners have been so amazing in their support over the years.
Never Stop...
These ones are bits of advice I constantly tell myself. I think they are relevant no matter what stage of your career you are at, and are ones I would pass on to anyone starting out in the industry. I think they are so important.
#3 Own your mistakes - We learn from our stuff-ups, and they will inevitably happen. Own up. People respect that. Say sorry and put measures in place to not repeat those mistakes.
#4 Be truthful - it is so much easier to sleep at night if you are.
#5 Take risks – calculated ones of course….my husband George is much better at this than I am, and we wouldn’t be here without his pushing me into things! Sometimes you just have to take the plunge and jump in with both feet...
#6 Most importantly...
And finally, a bonus piece of advice (sorry this is No. 6!) Have fun! Life is too short to take yourself too seriously.
Laugh. A lot. 😊
And finally, a bonus piece of advice (sorry this is No. 6!) Have fun! Life is too short to take yourself too seriously.
Laugh. A lot. 😊
To all the newcomers to the industry... Gosh, there will be so many ups and downs throughout your career. Don't give up! Travel while you’re young. Find a mentor. And most of all, stick with it.
The industry needs more people like you.
