Cara Bertone- Director of Sales Avaline, (Texas, USA)

Years in the Industry:
I have spent more than 20 years in the wine industry. All my adult life and then some. I worked in restaurants to pay my way through college and caught the “wine bug.” At least, that is what I told myself. The reality is, I grew up in a dysfunctional home environment where alcohol and drugs played a key role as a coping mechanism for my parents. I navigated my parents’ behavior and learned quickly how to take care of others’ needs before my own. Dealing with drunk guests was something I prided myself on and often I was dubbed the “fixer” on the floor. I could make anyone leave happy.
 
After years on the floor and curating wine programs, I wanted my nights and weekends back in hopes of one day having a family. In 2008 I decided to leave restaurants to join the wholesale side of the business and fell in love with the autonomy of it all. I STILL miss the buzz of the restaurant floor and constantly connecting with the team through wine education. After a few years my wife and I moved to Austin, Texas. At that time, I shifted again and started my journey into the supply world. In my current role at Avaline, I manage and support distributor partners to achieve sales plans and goals. This is the first time I’ve worked for a woman-owned company and I’m delighted to say, there is a harmony I’ve not felt before with work/life balance.
 
My Top 3 Challenges to Wellness:
There are many challenges that we all face in life with respect to our wellness. If these past 15 months have taught us anything it is humility, patience and forgiveness. What I have realized most is that running from the inevitable is futile. Embracing the past and future while being firmly planted in the present is where I aspire to exist. 

1. Staying present and committing to mind-body connection is one of the greatest challenges I face. I have two young children whom I love and adore. I want to be fully present while we are together. I must constantly remember to put the phone down and shut my brain off to the constant hum of tasks not completed. Children are magical and I learn so much by observing and participating in activities with them.

2. Not getting enough physical activity!! There are always fires to put out in this industry and taking a moment to break from these tasks for physical activity is often challenging but mandatory to finding balance.

3. Wishing that universal change could come faster keeps me in a perpetual state of imbalance. I am constantly thinking of how I can use my privilege more to change our industry culture to be more inclusive.

 
How I Keep it Together to Stay Well:
The first five months of the pandemic led me to leaning into alcohol, my favored coping mechanism, to help numb out the unthinkable. I had a lot of conversations with myself during those first few months. I couldn’t control what was happening around me, but I could control what was happening inside of me. Ultimately, I wanted more time to celebrate with my family the wins that came during this difficult time. I stopped drinking in July and haven’t had a sip in 10 months. The initial goal was to go a year without alcohol. What I have been able to accomplish over these past 10 months speaks volumes to the possibilities of life without it. I don’t know if I’ll ever drink again. If I do, it will look much different than it ever did over the past 30 years.
 
With this break, I’ve leaned into reading, journaling, laughing, music. I am choosing to challenge the status quo and becoming an accomplice for change. There is never enough time in the day, but what I’ve realized is the more vulnerable I become, the more things I can accomplish. There is truth in finding vulnerability all while keeping your personal boundaries set.
 
What Inspires Me:
I am incredibly inspired by the work I’m doing with Lift Collective and Be The Change. Every day I’m learning something new about my privilege and how I can better show up and support my community members. I am encouraged by the hundreds of those in community with me. I’m inspired by those who have the courage to fail. Lastly, I am inspired by those who have the courage to deeply feel and positively align with their authentic selves. It’s hard to take off the armor.
 
A Quote I Love:
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”  Amanda Gorman

“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.” Heraclitus
 
You can connect with Cara on Instagram @cara_bertone Facebook @cara.bertone and online at www.bethechangejobfair.com and www.liftcollective.org