We had the good fortune of connecting with Allegra Angelo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Allegra, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Everyone’s idea of work-life balance is different, and a perfectly “balanced” schedule for one person might not work for another type of person. Some people say, “You work too much,” but to me, working energizes me, and within that, I find inspiration and ultimately happiness. I thrive when my work and personal life are slightly “off balance.” On the other hand, I realize and value the importance of non-work time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to truly disconnect on a day-off (everything will be ok if you turn your phone off for the afternoon). A few of the things that help me disconnect and recharge my mood are: long distance runs in the heat, a good Thai foot massage (and cheap!), movies on the big screen, and a simple homecooked meal with a glass of red Burgundy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am part of a company called Vinya. We do more than just sell wine. We use our online presence and local shops to connect our communities through wine, food, and creative experiences. We value education, innovation, honesty, and above all, enthusiasm. I’ve said this before, “Smooth roads make forgettable paths” Like most people, my career has been a series of ups and downs (small ones and big ones). The ability to constantly reset, brush it off, and keep moving forward has helped me overcome my failures. Also, finding humor along the way always helps! My path is filled with lots of lessons (I’m still learning them), but one that sticks with me is “staying the course.” Our world is more dynamic than ever, and there’s pressure to constantly change and innovate. While I value those mantras, sometimes staying put, being consistent, and perfecting the small stuff is paramount. I want the world to know that we hear them, we listen to them, and we’ve got the most delicious wines to share with them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, tough one! I’d pick my “bff” up from the airport and head straight to Café La Trova for a classic daiquiri followed by a stroll down Calle Ocho to Yung Lai Thai, followed by a smokey old-fashioned nightcap at the Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables. The next day we’d head north to Captain Jim’s for Stone Crabs followed by late-night Izakaya at Yakko San. Next on the docket? We’re going all out (her pick) at: Itamae, Macchialina, Mamey, or Niu Kitchen.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my partner Nicholas Garcia who is the true enabler, connector, and creator of Vinya. Through his mentorship and guidance, I have been able to grow into a new direction in my career.

Website: www.vinyawine.com

Instagram: @getvinya

Image Credits
Alchemy PR, Daniel Zuliani/Alchemy

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