When I retired to become a GIVE BACK ADVOCATE, we had a small group party in the wine cellar of a private club in Newport Beach. My daughter and I met with Master Sommelier Steven Poe, MS, who is honestly the nicest and most accessible Master Sommelier you could ever meet. He helped us chose the wines to be served for the event. My daughter is a level 2 Sommelier and recommended Arise by Blackbird Vineyards. Steve agreed. You are seeing Arise being served to me and our special guests for our time together and my personal milestone share.
So here's the back story, which highlights supporting your business associates and friends, who also become entrepreneurs.
Shout to John Hinshaw, who owns the Blackbird and just happened to sign off on the largest business transaction of my career, which didn't hurt my retirement, when it happened. Many of my professional friends know who he is. My daughter and her fiance were just in Napa last week. They went to Blackbird for a tasting, met with the Sales VP and had a wonderful wine tasting experience. This is high praise from my daughter!
I pinged John through Linkedin, who couldn't have responded faster as a gentleman and asked to personally connect with us next time we are all in Napa.
So here's the thing. Reaching out and staying in touch with people who you can help, when they have helped you, matters. I mean, this is really what networking 101 is, as a continued success story.
What I really hope is that there will be an opportunity this fall for my daughter, son in law, wife and me to have some fun with John and his family/crew in Napa.....because life matters and we can make it happen, if we put in the effort.