Helen Gregory, Founder and President, Gregory + Vine Branding and Communications (New York, USA)

Years in the Industry:
I’ve worked for 22 years and counting in food and wine! I studied Political Science and Economics in college and moved to Paris for business school before embarking on a brief stint as an investment banker in NYC. I grew up in Europe and speak French, Italian and Spanish. I missed speaking a second language at work, missed the part of myself that was turned on by culture rather than spreadsheets. Living in Paris had awakened an impulse to experience much more than the inside of a cubicle. A friend turned me on to a job opportunity with Wines from Spain as a Marketing Manager, and that was it for me. Spanish wines and foods were just emerging in the late-1990s, and I had a seat at one of the best tables in the house. I went on to work for a national importer representing French wines. My boss handed me a copy of Robert Parker’s opus on Burgundy, and I realized how much I had to learn. It’s one of the joys of the wine business, a ticket to lifelong learning and conversation with some of the most passionate people on the planet.

In 2001, two things changed my life: 9/11, and the birth of my oldest daughter, Charlotte, three weeks after the towers fell. I was living in Brooklyn Heights, nine months pregnant, and debating my next career move. I turned down a “big job” for an even better one: motherhood. I had Charlotte and launched my first marketing agency in the same year. I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and a mom, and running my own business gave me the flexibility to do both. Holding my daughter for the first time, right after 9/11, made me realize how precious life is. We are lucky to be here, to be able to realize our dreams, because anything can happen. We decided to re-brand as Gregory + Vine a few years ago, to embolden the work we do in branding and communications. The vine in our company name symbolizes the balance between deep roots and constant renewal. You have to be fearless in marketing – while gaining wisdom along the way. I’ve had the privilege to meet many inspiring people, travel to some of the great places in the world and look forward to each year with all the excitement of a new vintage release.

My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
Making Wellness a priority: There is always something that can take priority over wellness. There is never enough time to spend with my kids, my husband, my family, or my friends. I love my entrepreneurial path but it’s hard to turn off the work and spend precious free time actively pursuing wellness. There is always a task list, a load of laundry, a school pick-up, dogs to walk, a client e-mail, a new business proposal to get to, you name it! Wellness is not an after-thought and needs to be treated as a priority in our daily lives.

Understanding the true spirit of Wellness: It took me years to appreciate that wellness is not a workout routine. It’s a feeling of balance that comes from a profound sense of happiness with the life we have, the choices we make, and a true connection between our spiritual and physical self – a state of being that allows us to connect with others. It’s one of the reasons I appreciate yoga, meditation, reading and writing. I love a great workout, but mindfulness is truly a special pursuit. Be mindful. That’s the secret sauce to finding balance.

Let go of perfectionism: Many of us are driven to work hard and achieve some version of a perfect self, and wow, it’s exhausting! When we constantly strive for the next achievement, we can forget who we really are, lose touch with what we care about. Perfectionism comes from a fear of failure, and a lack of compassion for ourselves. It’s very liberating to let go and slow down, making time for honest reflection. Albert Einstein famously said, "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." Hey, even Einstein was aware of his shortcomings, and approached life with an open mind. In my own imperfect way, I choose to work hard, to be curious, and above all, to own up to the mistakes I make along the way.

How I Keep it Together to Stay Well:
In 2018, I made a personal decision to actively change my lifestyle. I was traveling all the time, working long hours and missing out on what was most important: namely, my family, my friends, and myself. The first few months of my wellness journey were an unmitigated disaster. The beginning of a long journey starts with the first step…in my case, I pulled a tendon trying to run too fast. I almost gave up. A friend introduced me to power sculpt yoga, a combination of strength, cardio and balance training, and it clicked. I made time to get healthy, embraced the community I had joined and realized (painfully) what I had taken for granted. Little things started to spark joy. Everything I wanted was right there all along: cooking a meal with my husband, sitting outside with friends to share wine, hiking with my kids, writing, laughing. It’s the little things that keep us whole. And if you find something you love to do, embrace it.

In 2020, I completed my teacher training at PowerLife Yoga. I was 25 years older than most of the other aspiring teachers; for all the talk of the things that divide generations, there is much more that connects us. We were all learning how to do something challenging for the first time. Teaching my first class was humbling and exhilarating. I was reminded of the power of mentorship, motivation and gratitude. We all need support, no matter how far we’ve come, and it feels good to give back. I try to bring that energy to my work and my life.

A Quote I Love:
Be the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma Ghandi.
It’s so empowering to think what we can accomplish when we choose the path before us, enriching our lives and others. On a professional level, I’m proud to be a certified Woman-Owned Business through the WBENC, and a corporate supporter of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The best things in life start with a conscious choice to be a positive force for change.

You can find Helen online on Instagram at @gregoryandvine, LinkedIn and www.gregoryvine.com.