Jessica, Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino: Advize Career Interview
A career journey from managing small "Wine Wednesdays" to overseeing large-scale events like a "woman empowered Barbie fashion show" is the story of Jessica, Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino.
This dynamic role in a beverage startup demands diverse skills – strong people management, adaptability, and innovative thinking – all honed through a demanding collegiate athletic background.
The interview reveals a fast-paced, rewarding environment where daily tasks range from distribution and event planning to intern training and large account management.
Success hinges on building strong connections, proactive sales engagement ("sampling is so important"), and understanding individual team strengths for impactful collaboration.
A path to this career often begins with internships, providing invaluable experience and direct access to leadership.
The interview concludes with the importance of networking and leveraging a competitive spirit for navigating challenges, highlighting Jessica's unique blend of athletic drive and business acumen as a compelling example of career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessica Goodall
Operations and Chief of Staff
Besa mi Vino
UCLA
NA
Communications
Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Communication and Marketing
International Student, Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
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Career Path of an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa Mi Vino
Jessica's career path at Besa mi Vino started with managing events, beginning with small "Wine Wednesdays" gatherings and scaling up to larger events like a "woman empowered Barbie fashion show." This evolved into a role focused on team management, overseeing social media and hiring staff to support these initiatives.
Responsibilities of an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino
Jessica's role as Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino, a beverage startup, is highly varied, encompassing "distribution, managing product events," and even weekly intern training at UCLA—a favorite part of their week because of the in-person team engagement. A typical day might involve anything from large account management to training or event planning, reflecting the dynamic nature of the work in a flexible, hybrid environment.
A Day in the Life of an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff, emphasizes that strong people management is paramount, stating that "motivating the team comes from yourself." The ability to be receptive to feedback, even from junior team members like interns, and adapt strategies accordingly – especially when using platforms like TikTok and Instagram – is key to success in their role.
Most Important Skills For an Operations And Chief Of Staff at Besa Mi Vino
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino, most enjoys the variety inherent in her startup role, stating that "every day doesn't look the same." This flexibility, built upon a strong relationship with their boss, allows for a healthy work-life balance, a crucial aspect of their career preference for a "hybrid style" beyond the traditional nine-to-five structure.
Favorite Parts of Being an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino
Jessica's biggest challenge as Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino is the constant need for "innovative ideas every day," a demand inherent to a startup environment lacking established processes or training programs. This necessitates continuous learning and independent problem-solving, which is both "challenging, but also really exciting."
Biggest Challenges for an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa Mi Vino
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino, finds the "in person element of meeting people" in the food and beverage industry most enjoyable, citing fun food festivals and vendor opportunities. Although "back to back sampling" and meeting people can be tiring, the ability to "get out of the office and meet people in real life" is a significant perk of the career.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Wine Industry as an Operations and Chief of Staff
Jessica's experience highlights the importance of proactive sales engagement in the beverage industry, emphasizing that "sampling is so important" for securing long-term accounts. Success requires confidence and a sales background to ensure product placement maximizes sales volume and fosters strong relationships with clients, avoiding the pitfall of "a great account...that just sits there."
What Type of Person Thrives in the Food and Beverage Industry, According to an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino, learned that success in the food and beverage industry heavily relies on "very solid connections," especially for smaller brands trying to secure large accounts. Building a strong professional network before entering the field, through methods such as increased LinkedIn engagement, would have eased the initial challenges of establishing relationships from scratch.
What An Operations And Chief Of Staff At Besa Mi Vino Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Wine Industry
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino, highlights that the primary entry-level path into the company is through internships, stating, "everyone that now is working at Besa full-time has been an intern." The internships offer unique opportunities, including "work[ing] directly with the CEO," and success hinges on demonstrating strong work ethic and becoming an irreplaceable asset.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Operations and Chief of Staff Professionals at Besa mi Vino
Jessica's experience organizing a Barbie-themed fashion show highlighted the importance of understanding different skill sets within a team; while their boss focused on "the big picture," Jessica discovered their strength in meticulous detail, leading to the realization that successful collaboration requires recognizing and leveraging individual strengths, as shown by their meticulous planning including personally inviting women-owned businesses.
College Experiences That Helped an Operations and Chief of Staff at Besa mi Vino Succeed
Jessica, an Operations and Chief of Staff, learned the importance of understanding differing skill sets while collaborating, stating that "working with people, you have to understand each other's skill sets". This lesson emerged from producing a Barbie-themed fashion show, where their detail-oriented approach contrasted with their boss's big-picture focus; successfully navigating this difference highlighted the value of complementary skills in achieving a shared goal.
How Identity Influenced the Operations and Chief of Staff Career at Besa Mi Vino
Jessica's collegiate success stemmed from a "survival mode" fostered by a demanding rowing scholarship, forcing a need for balance. This led to impactful internships where the competitive "athlete mindset" was applied, proving crucial in mitigating the pressures of athletics and building valuable professional experience.
Advizer Personal Links
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-goodall-401177213
Besa mi vinos instagram: @drinkbesa
New product launched on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spin-BESA-Drinking-Challenge-Original/dp/B0CM4NDLGZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26YJVD499DGHG&keywords=besa+mi+vino&qid=1704602358&sprefix=bes+%2Caps%2C1475&sr=8-1