Julie kushel, General Manager/Buyer on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Wine

Julie kushel

General Manager/Buyer, Grand Vin Wine Bar

Key West, FL

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Florida International University Degree Associate's Degree in Winemaking and Distribution Cert Certified Sommelier Cert Court of Master Sommeliers Cert WSET Wine Level 2 Cert Certified Specialist of Wine Cert UC Davis Certification in Tasting Cert WSET Sake Member Italian Association (Boys and Girls/Men and Women)

Her Story

About Julie

I'm a wine buyer for a wine bar in Key West, where I handle purchasing, educational tastings, advertising, and team management. I travel internationally and nationally to places like San Juan, Dallas, and Italy to expand my wine knowledge and bring that education back to my wine bar. I do a lot of charitable work in our community because Key West has a very strong community environment where everybody supports each other. We participate in many fundraisers and are committed to giving back. I host wine tastings and educate people on wines, introducing new wines to help guests get more familiarized with something different. What I love most about my work is that wine brings people together. I love putting a smile on people's faces when they learn something new. I enjoy elaborating on the stories of wine and food, which also brings people together. Everything is wine with me, and I just love talking about it.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Julie

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say don't give up. I was kind of that underdog. Always fulfill your dream. Don't stop. Keep going. There's always going to be different avenues in your industry. Never halt and think that you can't do it, because you can. If you're really passionate and involved, and it's something that you have a deep desire to do, do it and don't look back. You'll be surprised of all these different openings and different avenues, whether employment or non-employment, just something you wanted to do as a hobby. There's always going to be fulfillment on every single path in my business. It doesn't stop. It always goes. Rejection is part of the industry and part of a job, no matter what it is. You have to know that if that door closes, another one will definitely open.

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