20 Dec #Enterpriser Highlight: Carla McKay – Fun * Energetic * Driven
Okay, here we go… The next “ENTERPRISER” post is here!
#Enterpriser is a blog series created to highlight the fun, quirky, REAL stories of:
“Captains of Industry” who are inspiring, navigating, and embracing change in their world!
Today, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the fabulous Carla McKay.
I “met” Carla through a dear friend and my BreveTV co-host, Katie Lance. You see, Katie knows and shares my love for wine, social media, and branding… and when her client (Carla) was looking for a guest blog post on the Crushed Blog – KL knew I would be interested. Carla was so gracious and immediately thanked me for my guest post and help in amplifying her wine app’s blog. This first impression – yes, even online – was so memorable. All too often, a simple thank you and new connection are overlooked – but not by Carla. So, without further ado… here is a peek into “The Story of Carla McKay – aka – @drinkchik:
A snippet from her bio…
Current Title: CEO/Founder, Crushed Wine App
“After more than 20 years in the Business Development and Sales positions for big corporations and startups, coupled with eight years of toiling on the weekends for a winery in Sonoma, Carla made the leap into the wine industry by creating the Drink Chick consulting firm in 2011. Carla is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone School of Wine and a Certified Wine Professional; and is– at this very moment– studying for the Certified Sommelier exam. As an avid bicyclist, you might catch sight of Carla toting wine, on her bike, to clients and friends throughout the Bay Area.”
1. What is your motto/mantra?
CM: ‘Make it happen‘ – I’ve learned in business and in sports – it really comes down to you to make it happen!
2. What are three words that you and others use to describe YOU? 
CM: Fun, energetic, driven
3.Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
CM: “Very cool!”
4. What was your favorite job… and what did you learn from it?
CM: Working at Vault.com in the late 90’s in NYC. It was great learning to be part of a start-up in the early days of the dot come world. I was tasked with taking my Human Resources knowledge and bringing it to the web to create the H.R. Channel on Vault.com and then shifted into a Business Development role to drive partners to our Human Resource users on Vault
5. What is your most treasured possession?
CM: My Garmin 910 XT GPS watch – it helps to keep me grounded and gives me kudos for my work-outs
6. Who are 5 of the people on your “Dream Dinner Party” invitation list?
- Andrea Immer Robinson, Master Sommelier
- Rachel Maddow
- Marissa Meyer, CEO Yahoo
- Diana Nyad
- Miranda Carfrae, Ironwoman Triathalete
I love strong women – they continue to inspire me as a female entrepreneur.
7. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?
CM: Saturday Night Live skit, “Take off of the Miley Cyrus video of ‘We closed the government down’ – everything about that video was spot on with the current state of affairs and the comedians playing Bachman, Boener and Obama made me laugh out loud!
Download the app on your iPhone today!
8. Why have you embraced social media?
CM: In every way – FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram are my top 4! I learn and glean so much insider information in my industry on Twitter it is mind blowing – that is where the wine community lives on social media! I also smartly hired a world class social media consultant to build great social buzz for the Crushed Wine App.
9. What is your favorite blog or business book that you recommend to everyone who asks?
CM: ‘The Lean Start-Up‘ by Eric Ries
It gave me the foundation of core principles to build the Crushed Wine App on and most importantly told me to ‘learn from my mistakes‘ and not cry over spilled milk – valuable advice. As a CEO we are so afraid to make mistakes – that is where the good stuff happens.
10. Who are your favorites to follow on social media?
CM: Too many to list – but some of my favs:
11. What is your GO TO song to get you in your CRUSH IT groove?
CM: I have quite an eclectic playlist on my iPod – but one of my favs is: ‘Set Adrift on Memory Bliss‘ by PM Dawn – a re-mix of Spandau Ballet’s ‘True’ – Love it!
Here are a few places to follow Carla:
Twitter: @drinkchik
On her blog: Carla McKay, Author
Carla’s current project is an fantastic new app, Crushed Wine App! Be sure to download it (iPhone only right now) and follow her there too. (pssst… you will also find Katie and me there !)
Cheers!
No Comments