Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I’m inspired by industries at inflection points. The wine industry is facing one right now as AI reshapes how consumers discover brands. My inspiration comes from the winemakers and family wineries who dedicate decades to craft but risk invisibility in a new digital landscape. Helping them adapt, preserve their stories, and stay discoverable in the AI era is what drives my work.

How do you stay motivated?

Curiosity keeps me motivated. After 30 years in agency marketing leadership and owning a winery myself, I’ve seen how fast industries evolve. AI is the most important shift I’ve witnessed. Every conversation with a winery owner who realizes their story could reach new audiences through AI discovery reinforces why this work matters. Helping traditional industries adapt to new technology is endlessly energizing. And the wine industry is full of remarkable stories that deserve to be fou

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would accelerate the rollout of VINTAGE², an educational system helping wineries understand how AI search is reshaping brand discovery I launched in January. The funding would support ad spending, genAI analytics tool subscriptions, workshops, research, and open-access resources so wineries can compete in AI-driven visibility alongside global brands. Every dollar would be applied toward measurable visibility gains. My goal is simple: ensure great wineries aren’t invisible in the age