Feeling the Strain? How To Lean on Community to Weather Tough Times
I Don't Know Anyone Who's "Killing It" This Summer
A friend and prominent figure in the wine industry said those words to me this week during a private conversation, and it stopped me in my tracks. They were right. The wine business has been tough lately, and victories feel harder to come by.
The job market is tight, financial pressures are mounting, and people are finding themselves doing more with less just to weather the storm of global macroeconomic challenges. For many wine professionals, this is the first real dip in their careers—an unfamiliar downturn in a cyclical industry.
In moments like these, it’s easy to feel isolated or ask yourself, Is it just me? What should I do next? Is it time to get out? But before you pull the covers over your head, cancel all plans, or fall into a doomscrolling spiral, take a deep breath and remember the one superpower you still have: community.
Over the past six years, we've had the privilege of interviewing some remarkable individuals in the wine community—people just like you, who are pushing through challenges and "doing it." Their stories have inspired us, and we hope they can inspire you too.
So consider this your ABG reminder to gather with the people you love and care about, and connect with like-minded individuals. Here are three ways to get started:
Stop the Scroll
In challenging times, it's easy to fall into the trap of hiding away and scrolling through social media, comparing your life to curated snapshots of success. But remember: those comparisons aren't real.
Australian writer and editor, Andrea Frost once remarked, “One must ignore our culture's ridiculous speed and the apparent accomplishments on social media. The first is not healthy, and the second is not real.” Put the device down.
Lean on Community
Tap into this community as your superpower. Start small. RSVP and actually GO to that trade tasting. Volunteer your time for that fundraising event, show up and support that cause you care about. Listen and share stories, your talents, and reconnect. As American folk singer Joan Baez famously said, “Action is the antidote to despair.”
Need inspiration?
Here is the list of the Top 10 most-read ABG Community profiles that Cathy and I have published over the years, offering a reminder of what it looks like to prioritize wellbeing as a wine professional. In their profile, every person included a way to contact them, so reach out, and tell them we sent you:
Aidy Smith Co-host Three Drinkers UK, Tourette syndrome and LGBTQ advocate.
Cecil Park: Founder of Winefornia, and the first Korean-American female winemaker.
Chris and Alexandra O'Gorman: Sonoma County’s dynamic and effervescent marketing duo.
Icy Liu: Burgundy wine professional, winemaker, and Founder of Asian Wine Professionals.
Jesse Kirkpatrick: Owner of Elemental Spirits co natural wine, and spirits store.
Philippe Andre: Champagne sales lead for Folio, with a heart as big as the bottles he pours.
Regine Rousseau: CEO Shall we Wine, and Chicago food and wine personality.
Sarah Pierre: Owner Three Parks wine shop and Wine Enthusiast Retailer of the Year.
Surahn Sidhu: Owner of Papershell Farms, musician and James Suckling’s resident DJ.
Yannick Benjamin: Founder of Wheeling it Forward, and Contento restaurant, New York City.
Trust your Wisdom
Finally, instead of giving in to doubt or distraction, trust your inner wisdom.
In his work Becoming Your Own Therapist, Buddhist teacher Lama Yeshe shared a valuable lesson on this. When asked, “Does your mind always tell you the truth?” he responded:
“No, not necessarily. Sometimes your misconceptions answer. You shouldn’t listen to them. Instead, tell yourself, ‘I’m not satisfied with that answer; I want a better one.’ Keep questioning more deeply until your wisdom responds. It takes time, but eventually, the right answer will come.”
So when the path forward seems uncertain, put down the device, get out of your head, and into community. Lean into the collective wisdom, and your own inner strength. Together, we can find the clarity to move forward, even in challenging times.
Then go out and crush Fall. We are here to cheer you on.
Namaste,
Beck
