Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I started waiting tables in my early twenties as a way to pay the rent. Like many people, I believed the hospitality industry would be a temporary career. But I discovered I thrived in the hustle and loved interacting with so many different people every day.

A few years later I moved into management at one of Chattanooga’s premier fine dining restaurants. My time there taught me so much about high-end cuisine, the art of entertaining, and also served as my introduction to the wine industry.

The next evolution in my career came when I was recruited to manage a locally-owned fine wine and spirits shop. I began learning a new facet of the beverage industry. I also started establishing relationships with customers and understanding how to match products to their palates, needs, and budgets.

After five years of honing these skills, I launched a new service at the shop that customized wine, beer, and spirits for special events in southeast Tennessee. Five years after that, I launched Beverage BFF.