Her Story
About Deja
I think at an early age, I was planning every event of my life and everyone else's life. At the University of Louisville, I was a manager on the women's basketball team, which involved a lot of organization and travel details. This led me into marketing for the athletic department, executing sponsorship activations and experiential events. That experience brought me to the Kentucky Derby Festival, where I spent 10 years working on a wide variety of events, from small intimate gatherings to large-scale marathons. In the event industry, we call it an itch or a bug or a disease - you either have it or you don't. We always talk about how if you love standing in the rain, pushing porta-johns, and making sure everyone's safe, then you've got it, and if you don't, then you don't. I continued to develop skills in being able to pivot at a moment's notice and have multiple backup plans. Eventually, that led me to the bourbon boom in downtown Louisville, where they were opening a new Angel's Envy distillery. I took that path and continued along the events and hospitality industry within bourbon. Now, as regional manager for Angel's Envy Single Barrel for the past 5 years, I handle about 600 customer selections where they pick their own private barrels, executing premium experiential selections in various markets and curating one-of-a-kind premium distillery experiences, managing all the back-end processes from selection to delivery.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deja
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination and hard work. Being a team player has been crucial throughout my career. I also think being agile and having the ability to pivot at a moment's notice with multiple backup plans has been key. I'm a big credibility person - do what you say, say what you do. Dependability is huge for me, making sure that if I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it and follow through. I have tenacity and I'm not a huge fan of 'I can't find it' or attributes of laziness - I don't have that in me. I think it's about showing up, being dependable, and following through. I also have this balance where I teeter between operational brain and creative brain, so I consider what's efficient but also what's creative, how it's different and new. I'm always pushing the envelope a little bit and having that surprise and delight element, whether you're hosting an event at your house or for work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is: do what you say, say what you do. Never burn a bridge. Show up and work hard. And ask questions - I think that's a big one too. These principles have guided me throughout my 20-year career in hospitality and events.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Your network is your greatest support and attribute. I can't tell you how many times I've had to use my network for favors, or requests, or connections. I would say that the wider your net, the better off you'll be. Building and maintaining those relationships has been invaluable throughout my career in hospitality and events.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Specifically in bourbon, there's crowdedness and saturation, so we're all fighting that component. But from a hospitality and event standpoint, the field has definitely taken off in terms of career opportunities and education. I think for the older crowd, it's just keeping up with the new trends and new skill sets, making sure that you're kind of on top of it. There's so much information now, and so many tools, and so many conferences, and so many certificates and things like that that didn't really exist 20 years ago. So it's about staying on top of things and not just falling behind.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm a big credibility person, so do what you say, say what you do. Dependability is crucial - making sure that if I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it and I'll follow through. Tenacity is important to me. I'm not a huge fan of 'I can't find it' or attributes of laziness - I don't have that in me. I think it's showing up, being dependable, and following through. I also balance both operational and creative thinking when taking on any new project, and I do that at home too. I consider what's efficient, but also what's creative - how is it different and new? I'm always pushing the envelope a little bit and having that surprise and delight element, whether you're hosting an event at your house or for work.
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