For anyone looking to change careers, you well know the frustration of trying to get your foot in the door while also trying to let go of the stranglehold your old career has on you. I left Wall Street because of my profound lack of passion and interest for my job, and yet I continued to get job offers in Finance even while working harvest. In contrast, despite my passion and enthusiasm for wine, getting a job on the business side of wine seemed almost impossible. I'm used to being a bit outside the box: I'm a Chinese girl who majored in English Literature, for crying out loud. But continuing to get interviews with wine firms, only to be told repeatedly that I just didn't fit easily into a defined role, was discouraging. Is this why bankers stay so long in their jobs? It's not the money -- it's that we're not qualified to do anything else!
Well, thank God one company was willing to take the risk on me. I'm on a 3-month trial period, so keep your fingers crossed I pass the test. As I've mentioned before, my motto on the trading desk was, "don't fuck it up." Nice to see it's applicable to wine, as well. The firm is four years old, with about one dozen employees, and focuses on selling high-end wines from all regions to private clients. I thought perhaps they'd want me for a sales position, given my background, but I will be the first to admit that our sales teams know much more about wine than I do. And believe me, I am looking forward to learning on the job! I'll instead be in a coordinator/logistical role, helping my sales team from initial inquiry to final delivery. Back when I was at Banc of America Securities, I had an extremely talented and diligent junior saleswoman on the desk in a similar role, named Danielle. Danny had the memory of an elephant and the perception of a clairvoyant. She knew what I needed before I even asked her for it. Without Danny helping coordinate client inquiries and transactions, my job would've been much harder at the bank. Too bad I was such a bitchy cow to her. If you're out there reading this, Danny, A) I'm sorry and B) I can only aspire as good as you were in your role! That's karma for you.
As for my living quarters, I'll be sharing a house with five other tenants, with the kitchen and living room as common areas. In other words, it's back to college dorm life, only I'm 35. While I haven't tested out the laundry room yet, I can only hope it's a step up from my last rental, where running a load in the washing machine made my clothes dirtier than when I put them in. If not, I will be wearing a lot of brown this winter. I haven't met the other tenants yet, but I did inquire. Apparently, two work as chefs at great local restaurants in St. Helena. I may have to lurk in the kitchen for leftovers. I've managed to squeeze three months' worth of necessities into my two-door sedan, leaving only enough room to peer through my Vita-Mix when looking through the rearview mirror. Sadly, in order to fit my bike into the car, I had to forgo one case of wine. I'll be back to LA soon, my lovelies!
I wish I could end this blog with a concrete happy resolution and a bumper-sticker catchphrase for living your dreams, but I really don't know how this will all play out. I may not pass the 3-month trial. I may realize I can't survive on a fraction of a fraction of a banker's salary. I may not be able to stand living like a middle-aged college student. But maybe the best thing is that the story hasn't ended yet, and I still get to choose my own adventure.
Santé, my friends,
-R
As for my living quarters, I'll be sharing a house with five other tenants, with the kitchen and living room as common areas. In other words, it's back to college dorm life, only I'm 35. While I haven't tested out the laundry room yet, I can only hope it's a step up from my last rental, where running a load in the washing machine made my clothes dirtier than when I put them in. If not, I will be wearing a lot of brown this winter. I haven't met the other tenants yet, but I did inquire. Apparently, two work as chefs at great local restaurants in St. Helena. I may have to lurk in the kitchen for leftovers. I've managed to squeeze three months' worth of necessities into my two-door sedan, leaving only enough room to peer through my Vita-Mix when looking through the rearview mirror. Sadly, in order to fit my bike into the car, I had to forgo one case of wine. I'll be back to LA soon, my lovelies!
I wish I could end this blog with a concrete happy resolution and a bumper-sticker catchphrase for living your dreams, but I really don't know how this will all play out. I may not pass the 3-month trial. I may realize I can't survive on a fraction of a fraction of a banker's salary. I may not be able to stand living like a middle-aged college student. But maybe the best thing is that the story hasn't ended yet, and I still get to choose my own adventure.
Santé, my friends,
-R
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| Serious consumption at the Decanter Fine Wine Event in London |
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| Yukking it up with Steven Spurrier in London |
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| Trying British bubbles with a magnum of Ridgeview |
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| The healthy breakfast substitute for lactose intolerance |
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| Taking in the Paris sites |
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| Wine lineup from New Year's in Bordeaux |
