Constance Chamberlain (27) Founder/CEO of Wine & Co. is certainly a Woman on the Move!
Here is a recent interview WE Magazine for Women did with Constance:
Tell us about how you chose your career/business and what your responsibilities include?
I am the Founder and managing owner/CEO of the company. This includes running the day-to-day business, acquiring new business, overseeing all projects, working on new strategy for clients and heading the promotion of those I work with to date.
Tell us about the company?
My company specializes in the promotion of wine, spirits, beer, and all things fermented. We are an all-service communications consulting model that hosts events, develops strategic programs, provides content creation, social media and traditional PR services, and much more. The company was founded in 2012 and went full speed ahead recently. To date, we have many clients including a few importers, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, and some start-up projects in the beverage-alcohol sector. We also do some pro-bono works with organizations such as Summertime in a Glass.
What are some of the most fulfilling projects you have been involved with so far?
As I mentioned above, we are part of some non-profit organizational boards such as Summertime in a Glass. This initiative celebrates all things Sauvignon Blanc from all over the world. They survive off of funding from organizations and the government to date. This work has been great because it is portraying a very specific message to the world, which, in turn, helps smaller growers gain more publicity and this organization get off the ground.
Although this is a pay-for project, I also find my work with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board to be very rewarding and fulfilling. I believe in the country and its winegrowers – artisanal producers with great wines and fantastic family-run wineries. Their stories alone are enough to get you hooked. Naturally, being a small country for wine, there isn’t a lot of money, but this isn’t why I work on this project. It’s very rewarding to see new people discover these wines and to help the country excel in the US market.
Are there any people in your field you would like to meet and/or work with and have not yet had the opportunity?
I have been fortunate enough to meet many wine business heroes and work with them as well. I think that’s one of the great things about this industry – there is access to just about everyone on some level.
What are some of your favorite ways to network?
I love to socialize and attend wine events – both my own and others. This is not only a great way to network, but it’s also a great way to learn. Keeps me on my toes with my tasting abilities and also with what’s going on in the industry.
The other way I network, which is natural given my company’s background, is through social media. I know it’s an old-sung tune at this point, but it never ceases to amaze me how accessible the internet has made people.
Do you have a mentor – if so how did you choose one another?
I absolutely have a mentor. My mentor is my old boss, Steve Raye, Managing Partner of Brand Action Team. I wouldn’t say we “choose” one another so much as it was the luck of the draw. He was looking for someone in my old position when I was looking for a position of that nature and it was a great fit.
What have you learned from your mentor? What do you hope to learn?
In that position, I was given a lot of freedom, but also a lot of opportunity to discover and to piggy-back on his connections. He also guided me into understanding the wine trade and was there to taste wines with and discuss what we thought was up and coming. Things being what they are, we don’t talk very much now – old boss, new company, things get a little messy. But regardless, I know our paths will cross again and we have already been in communication about our mutually exclusive new projects.
What’s been the most surprising thing that has happened to you so far in your career?
To be honest, I am just surprised this has all worked out. I have had a life plan since I started in this industry and with a little patience and a lot of hard work I have, luckily, been able to make things happen. I guess this isn’t surprising, but it’s overwhelming at times to think how fortunate I’ve been. I have had the chance to travel to wine regions I never thought I’d go to and to work on projects that have definitely shaped me into the person I have become.
What do you do for fun/relaxation?
It’s important for me to keep a balance so though I spend a lot of time actually studying and tasting wines – and out on the town, I have other things to keep me busy. I run a lot and play tennis in the nice weather, I also read a lot of fiction novels. I’m also trying to learn German. Most recently, I’ve begun learning the keyboard and have taken up ballet!
Any parting advice for someone who would like to follow in your footsteps?
I think one of the most important pieces of advice one can give anyone is to articulate what you want to the universe. It’s what someone once told me and I’ve come to realize that if you do this and really stick to your dream, you will achieve it. Of course, there will be things that go array, but keep you head up – they’re not obstacles, they’re friendly pushes to continue with your dreams. I don’t know anyone truly successful that hadn’t had a lot of failure first.
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