In honor of International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight some of our amazing women team members. PlumpJack is led by many woman, including our President, Hilary Newsom. We asked them questions and they delivered the goods. Read on to hear their perspective on how far women have come and what kinds of advice they would give to young women on their journey in life.
Q: Advice you would give young girls about pursuing their dreams and goals?
Sandra Roberts, Director of Sales, PlumpJack, CADE & Odette Estates: Go for it! Pay attention to what makes you feel most alive. Figure out your purpose and pursue that with everything you have, no matter what! Other people’s opinions on what’s possible are really none of your business!
Karri Kiyuna, General Manager, Wildhawk Bar: To any young woman getting started just remember that your dreams and goals are going to grow and evolve with you! It is great if your path changes along the way, as long as you keep your happiness as a top priority
Danielle Cyrot, Winemaker, CADE Estate & 13th Vineyard: Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You can do anything. Believe in yourself and great things will happen.
Carrie Upson, General Manager, PlumpJack Wine & Spirits: Choose any career; there's nothing you can't do. Choose any industry and you'll find a successful woman in that field. Ask people for help when you need it, and ask them to keep their negativity away from you if they are discouraging you. Try new things until you find something you feel passionate about. Be yourself.
Meagan Millar, General Manager, PlumpJackSport: Speak up often and expect to be heard.
Hilary Newsom, President, PlumpJack Group: I was raised to believe I could do, and be, anything, so I am very lucky; however, when I did become the President of PlumpJack I had many moments of self-doubt. I questioned myself all the time, and I got in my own head. When you achieve your goals, believe in yourself, don’t doubt yourself. Know that it’s ok to be wrong sometimes. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and to ask for help -that doesn’t make you weak, that makes you stronger.
Meet the Women of PlumpJack
Q: What’s your definition of a fearless woman?
Danielle Cyrot: A fearless women never gives up, never gives in to the “no’s” of the world, and always believes that yes, it can be done.
Meagan Millar: To stay confident and steadfast to your belief and passion.
Hilary Newsom: I think it is ok to be bold and step up and not be afraid to fail. It is ok to step back, reassess and start over with a new plan.
Sandra Roberts: Being scared and doing it anyway...
Carrie Upson: Be a little selfish; make yourself and your dream your number one priority. When you take care of yourself and are happy in your own right, it will trickle down into your relationships, work life, etc. Don't care about what other people think more than you care about what YOU think. Acknowledge your fears if you have them, because it's normal to fear the unknown.
Q: What women/woman inspires you?
Hilary Newsom: My mom was heroic. She raised two kids, mostly alone since my father lived out of town for many years. She worked up to three jobs and provided a beautiful and happy life for us. I am also inspired by my sister in law Jennifer Seibel Newsom. She is changing the conversation about women’s equality and forcing people to be introspective and strive to be better.
Sandra Roberts: My mother, who moved to the US from Germany with my dad, inspires me. After his death, she earned two degrees including a MBA (maintaining a 4.0 GPA),while working full time and rearing a child single handedly in a foreign country.
Carrie Upson: Too many to name; all of the new women in Congress, women like Nancy Pelosi and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who have been in a male dominated careers for so long, women who are/were executives of huge corporations like Sheryl Sandberg for Facebook or Meg Whitman of HP, women winemakers/brewers/distillers, as well as women who decide to focus on family and don't have careers.
Danielle Cyrot: My Mom.
Karri Kiyuna: The most inspiring women in my life are the ones I get the pleasure of working with every day. We have found a group of hard working women who challenge one another to learn and grow as well as support each other when ever needed.
Meagan Millar: Reese Witherspoon, she inspires woman to be confident and live life on their own terms.
Q: What do you find encouraging today as a woman?
Karri Kiyuna: I find this growing industry full of women to be extremely encouraging. No matter what your chosen profession, it looks like women are charging forward and making some real noise.
Sandra Roberts: Times are changing and opportunities are broader than ever for women. I’m grateful to all the women who came before me to make this possible.
Hilary Newsom: I think women are stepping up and stepping in. I proud to see this shift and know that my kids are growing up in a different world. A world where you don’t just believe you can be anything you strive to be, but they can see it, there are role models.
Meghan Millar: There are SO many women in leadership roles in our country both in business and government. It's encouraging!
Carrie Upson: That there is open dialogue about so many issues that weren't discussed in the past. That more and more women aren't afraid to speak the truth. I hope that in the future there will continue to be less discrimination based on sex, less sexual harassment, and more equality in pay.
Danielle Cyrot: I am so glad that more women have been elected to the house and senate. We can only bring a voice of change in this world if we have a seat at the table. I think big change is coming!