Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Morrison.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ty. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career working in public relations. I’ve worked in a number industries, including technology, healthcare, and currently financial services. After I received my master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations, I worked for several PR agencies before going in-house. As I was building my career, I was also discovering my passion for wine. One day, I decided to start a blog as a creative outlet outside of my 9-to-5 to learn more about wine and capture my journey along the way. And that’s how the idea for Your Glass or Mine (YGOM) came about in 2015. I started off reviewing different wines from the grocery store, from there I began attending different wine events and traveling to different wine regions. With the help of my PR skills, I was able to build exposure for YGOM and create a following of people who like myself enjoyed drinking wine, but didn’t necessarily know a lot about it.
As my love for wine grew, I knew that I wanted a solid foundation in my understanding and decided to pursue educational classes through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. So far, I’ve completed level 2 with merit and plan to pursue level 3 this year. Last year, I decided to relaunch YGOM with a new website and the announcement of my new wine consulting service. I really wanted to use my expertise to help wine lovers (new and experienced) pick the right wines for their events. I’m excited to see what 2020 holds for YGOM.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Managing a career while building a passion project has not been easy. There’s never enough time in the day! I have a very demanding day job that can take a lot out of me at times. I’ve had to be intentional about the time that I set aside for YGOM. At the end of the day, it’s all about balance. While I love what I do at work, I can’t give all of myself to my employer. I have to remember to make time for the things that make me happy, which include wine and building the YGOM brand. It’s not easy, but that’s where that ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ mentality comes into play. I’ve had to learn to push through the tiredness to work on my dreams.
Also, the spirit of comparison is REAL, especially with social media. There are so many successful women influencers and business owners that it’s easy to start comparing yourself and wondering if there’s room for your own craft. And the simple answer is YES! I’ve learned that everyone has their own gifts and it’s important to own them. Lastly, I’d say that growing my following has been hard. It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, but I’m learning everyday that quality is better than quantity. If I keep providing quality work and services, the people will come.
My advice to any woman balancing a career and an outside passion project or business is first to know that is possible to do both. You don’t have to choose one over the other. Time management is also key. You’re going to have to make time to work on your passion project before or after work and even on the weekends. The grind never stops, but the reward will be worth it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Your Glass or Mine – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a wine blogger and consultant. As I mentioned before, I started Your Glass or Mine five years to help to teach myself about wine, but along the way it became a resource for others with similar interests. However, the more I learned about wine, I was reminded that good wine should not be depicted by a point system, but rather by the memories created around it. Some of my favorite pastimes have been with my friends laughing and having good conversation over a bottle of wine. And that’s the carefree feeling I wanted to mirror when people visit YGOM. While I value wine education, I also don’t want people to get so caught up or turned off by the etiquette that comes along with it. That’s why I enjoy teaching wine on the blog in a fun, relatable way that builds confidence and creates memorable experiences.
Now, I’m expanding the YGOM brand to offer wine consulting services that focus on curating wine selections for any special occasion. I can’t tell you how many events I’ve been to where mediocre wine was served only to learn that the host went to their local grocery store and randomly picked up bottles of wine to serve. I want people to know that they don’t have to leave it up to chance. With the help of YGOM, you can select good wine at any price point. I’m here to help curate a customized list of high-quality wines based on your needs and preferences to complement your event and impress your guests with a wine experience they will never forget.
If you’d asked me when I started where I saw YGOM five years from now, I would’ve never guessed this. I’m very proud of the brand that I’m building and the recognition it’s starting to get. In March, I was selected as one out of eight wine bloggers/journalists/influencers selected to attend the 12th Annual International Wine Tourism Conference, Exhibition & Workshop (IWINETC) in Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. I could’ve never dreamed of opportunities like this. This is only the beginning for YGOM and I can’t wait to see what else is in store!
Who have you been inspired by?
My mom has inspired me the most. I watched her go from cleaning classrooms to teaching in them. I definitely get my work ethic from her. She’s always supported my dreams and has always pushed me to do more than the bare minimum. I also have a great circle of female friends who are all bosses in their own right and inspire me everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: yourglassormine.com
- Email: ty@yourglassormine.com
- Instagram: @yourglassormine
- Twitter: @yourglassormine
Image Credit:
Summer Taylor
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