11 Apr Chat with Lacey Lybecker

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It’s time to Fire Up! with Lacey Lybecker…

Meet Lacey Lybecker. She co-owns Cairdeas Winery with her husband and winemaker, Charlie Lybecker. Cairdeas Winery is a true family affair. Their two boys, Eugene (4) and Francis (2) contribute artwork for select artist series wine labels and are known around the tasting room as the whine-maker and assistant whine-maker. Lacey grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota before moving to Seattle to embark on a career in marketing. She worked in the hospitality and event industries before she and her husband fell for making wine. On the side, Lacey dabbles in designing kitchen textiles with an emphasis on {vin}tage inspired goods.

Q1: What was it that gave you the ‘push’ to begin living your dream?

I’ve always been a dreamer, but never really knew how to take the first step. I remember when my husband and I would drive to our pre-marital counseling workshops, we’d wonder about “what we were going to do in 10 years.” Bed and breakfast on the Oregon coast, a wine shop, a cooking school – you see we always had a theme. A huge push for me was jumping on board when a good friend and co-worker of mine started teaching, for lack of a better word, life coaching workshops. She really helped me break it down on how to take one step at a time… so, when my husband said maybe one day we can start a winery, I was able to say how can we start now? It’s amazing how far we’ve come by just continuing to put one foot in front of the other.

Q2: What does success look and feel like TO YOU?

Personally, I feel the most successful when I feel joyful and happy in the now – while continuing to challenge myself and be open to what’s next. I also have to pinch myself when I think about the relationships we’ve built with the winery (with our customers and wine club members) and how that is bringing abundance into our world. We just posted tickets for an intimate spring wine dinner and it sold out in less than 24 hours. Four years ago, that would not have seemed possible.

Q3: Share the THREE WORDS that describe you BEST!

DREAMER. GO-GETTER. RISK TAKER.

Q4: What was your biggest mistake? How did you learn from it?

I accepted the “wrong” job once (despite everyone around me telling me it did not seem like a good fit). I was then offered the “right” job my first week on the “wrong” job and instead of sticking it out with the job I accepted first, I held my head up and bowed out. That decision set me on an even better path that eventually inspired our move to Lake Chelan. If I had stayed in the “wrong” job, I’d be out of a job because I don’t think that company is in business any longer. The experience taught me to not be so stubborn, number 1, and listen to those around me. And number 2, it also showed me that even when you take a wrong turn, you can still pivot and get back on the right track.

Q5: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I went on my first wine tasting tour when I was 19 (and I didn’t have a fake ID) and I’ve been skydiving.

Q6: If you could go back 10 years and share the knowledge you have now – what would you tell yourself?

Just trust. There have been so many moments in my life where I felt unhappy or off track… or side tracked. But looking back, every slight turn I’ve taken on my path was for something – a lesson learned, a connection made, a paycheck to help fund our dreams. Looking back, this whole crazy life is one big puzzle and all the pieces seem to fit.

Q7: What inspires you to keep moving forward – even in moments of fear and doubt?

Um… not wanting to have to go back to a full-time, sit-at-my-desk job. But really, faith that we are on the right path and we are doing the right. Inspiring ourselves, our boys, our customers, our friends that there is value in following your dream.

Q8: What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Snuggle with my 4-year-old.

Q9: What is your ‘superpower’?

I wish I had a cape! Where can I find one?

Q10: What are your TOP FIVE apps on your phone? Why?

ThredUp (I love a good deal, the easy return policy and finding a second life for a piece of clothing.)

FitBit (because, well, my fitness and eating habits have gotten a little off track – I’m now obsessed with checking my steps, but I still can’t seem to hit 10,000 – must get up from my computer…)

Google Maps (cuz a girl needs to know how to get where she’s going)

Orbitz (I’m always checking on ticket prices for flights home to Minnesota – love spending time there with my family)

Camera/Photos (snapping silly photos of my boys, reminiscing over baby pics, and snapping fancy shots for Instagram).

Q11: What songs are on your FIRE UP playlist?

I’m not very good with songs… and I haven’t had Pandora on for ages. We listen to Deeper Shades on House on BBC in the tasting room.

BONUS ROUND QUESTIONS:

What is your ONE WORD for this year?

Good question! My word for 2015 was “forward” and my lesson was that the best way to move forward is sometimes to sit still – ha! It’s not always about pushing yourself forward but about putting out your desires and letting the universe help you line up the stars.

I haven’t quite narrowed it down and we’re a quarter of a way in, but for 2016 I’m really focusing on GRATITUDE and BLESSING. Being grateful for my path and paying attention to ways that I can bless and inspire others.

Anything else you would like to share with the Fire Up! Community?

Something a fellow Toastmaster once told me, “Even if you don’t think you’re making progress, believe me, you are!”

Brief Auto-Bio:

Lacey Lybecker co-owns Cairdeas Winery with her husband and winemaker, Charlie Lybecker. Cairdeas Winery is a true family affair. Their two boys, Eugene (4) and Francis (2) contribute artwork for select artist series wine labels and are known around the tasting room as the whine-maker and assistant whine-maker.

Lacey grew up on a farm in northwestern Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota before moving to Seattle to embark on a career in marketing. She worked in the hospitality and event industries before she and her husband fell for making wine. On the side,

Lacey dabbles in designing kitchen textiles with an emphasis on {vin}tage inspired goods.

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