Each of our Wine Guides are independent, small business owners sharing their love of wine through virtual wine tastings, in-home tastings, personal wine shopping, and so much more. Our 5 F’s—fun, flexibility, friendships, fulfillment, and financial rewards are a fundamental part of who we are and how our Wine Guides shine every day. In this blog series, we will be featuring different Wine Guides and highlighting their favorite of the 5 F’s. In this installment, Director, Kristina Johnson highlights her favorite: flexibility.
Kristina’s Flexibility Story
Flexibility to Simone Biles means the ability to do the splits and fly wildly in the air – that’s why she has numerous gymnastics moves named after her! While I admire her sense of flexibility, I definitely can’t do any of those crazy tricks, and yet I’m still flexible in my own way! I work full-time in healthcare as a physician assistant, and I’m also a Wine Guide. The balance and flexibility I enjoy from Traveling Vineyard makes it all work together.
Working as a Wine Guide has to work around my own schedule, and not the other way around. The balance and flexibility I enjoy from Traveling Vineyard makes it all work together.
Director and Wine Guide, Kristina Johnson
When I first started as a Wine Guide 7 years ago, finding the balance between being a Wine Guide and working my full time job was difficult. What I didn’t know then, was that working as a Wine Guide has to work around my schedule, and not the other way around. When it finally dawned on me that I can work my Wine Guide business for me, I started excelling as a Wine Guide. Since balancing my work life, I’ve worked my way up to the Director level, earned multiple Luxx Getaway trips, and numerous other promotions along the way!
A typical weekly schedule for me changes all the time. The thing about working in healthcare is nothing is ever the same. Some weeks I’ll be in the operating room twice and some weeks I’m there every day. When I work in the operating room, my schedule is wholly unpredictable and nothing ever goes as planned. Staying organized and not booking tastings on OR days, is the key for balancing my schedule. What that means for me, is that I can only schedule wine tastings for my Wine Guide business on my days when I work in the clinic, since those days tend to stay more on schedule. My calendar may look a little crazy for the average person, but thankfully I now know the key.
Once I figured out my work balance, I realized I needed to be even more flexible in my “free” time. I recently bought a new house, so after my healthcare work I usually spend time packing everything up to prep for the big move. I’m so excited for this new adventure, but there is always stress that goes into moving, including unpredictable costs. However, since being a Wine Guide, that’s something I don’t need to stress about! My customers always need wine for the holiday season – for themselves, gatherings, and gifts! Wine always makes a great gift for everyone and anyone!
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or balancing a full time job, when you’re the boss – you’re in control of your life. Could you imagine a “9-5” job giving you that flexibility?
Director and Wine Guide, Kristina Johnson
I love that I have the freedom and flexibility to let my business simmer in the background while I take care of all things involved in moving. Once I’m settled and ready, my business will be there waiting for me. Traveling Vineyard has no minimum numbers to meet to stay a Wine Guide, so it’s totally ok to take that step back and then pick back up when it works for you. This wine business lets you determine your own schedule without sacrificing the things that are important in your life. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or balancing a full time job, when you’re the boss – you’re in control of your life. Could you imagine a “9-5” job giving you that flexibility?
Our Wine Guides stories make us who we are, and inspire us everyday. Are you ready to discover your purpose with a business in a bottle? Learn more today and send us a message on Facebook.