Wine expert, Web 2.0 celeb, and one of the most dedicated New York Jets fans in existence, Gary “Vay-ner-chuk” gives us the inside scoop on where he’s from and how’s he’s gotten to where he is today. He’s even gone a step further and sent us a video on how to make sure you can get there as well. Check it out
Where are you from?
I was born in Belarus but grew up in New Jersey, “The Dirty Jerz.”
How did you start?
My dad dragged me to work in the family business when I was a kid and I hated every minute of it. Then one day I realized that people collected wine the same way they collected baseball cards. From that point forward I saw the opportunities and started to learn as much as I could about wine.
How did you decide on this path?
I fell into it because it was the family business, but at a certain point I just decided to do everything I could to become a wine expert. I read wine books. I went out and tasted all these crazy flavors that I was reading about in wine descriptions. I ate grass, cigars and dirt. I came home from college every weekend and completely invested myself in the business.
Who influences you?
My mom is a HUGE influence on me; so is my dad, although we are very different. I love them both so much!
What is your formula?
I trust my heart, my gut and focus on my community.
Who do you call family?
Well I have my wife, my family, and my Wine Library family. When it comes down to it, nothing is more important to me than the health and happiness of my family.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Every day when I wake up and nothing has happened to any of my friends or family during the night, I feel happy and inspired to attack the day!
What is your style?
Full speed ahead.
How do you pay your bills?
Fortunately, our wine retail store, Wine Library, has been very successful.
What is your end goal?
To own the New York Jets.
Where is the best place to start?
Start with what you know and are passionate about! You will only succeed if you are passionate and authentic.
Why don’t most people make it?
Most people are afraid to make the sacrifice, or simply aren’t genuine. If you’re not real, people will find you out in a heartbeat.
How many times have you wanted to quit?
When I turned 30 I kinda panicked and wanted to do something else, which is when I decided to start Wine Library TV.
Why are you independent?
I turned on a camera and started pumping out Wine Library TV in February of 2006. There’s no producer or script, just a cameraman, wine, and a spit bucket.
How does one become legendary?
I think people become legendary by loving what they do, and working at it as hard as they can. With the social media technologies currently available, we’re in the midst of what I call a personal brand gold rush, anyone can become legendary.
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Check out all the great features from LEGENDmag 23(pdf), including: ETSY: reconnecting the producer to the consumer, Blank Blank: creating objects for interior environments, a battle of presidential proportions in The Beatdown and how Transparncy is the new Democracy.
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