As the Brand Advocacy Manager for Jose Cuervo, Gabriela Moncada lives and breathes tequila. It doesn't sound too shabby, does it? We found out how she landed this amazing role and got her top tips for breaking into the drinks industry.
Describe your typical working day. I get to the office, check my calendar to see if I need to help to organize an event or if I have any training sessions lined up with our fabulous marketing and sales team. Then I might head out to a meeting with a bar to tell them a bit more about Jose Cuervo and see if there might be opportunities to work together in the future. I get to travel all over the UK to talk about Jose Cuervo in my job, so no day is ever really the same. .
What's your dream way to spend a lunch break? I love to sit down with a healthy salad and read up on what’s new in the spirits industry. It’s a great way to keep up to date with what’s going on with other brands and what interesting campaigns they’re running.
What do you love most about your job? I love the fact that I get to promote Mexico, my home country, and tell everyone about its rich culture - so much of which is linked to tequila! Jose Cuervo has such a strong heritage which lots of people don’t know about, so getting the chance to educate people on the family history of Jose Cuervo is so much fun.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? I’ve met so many great people in my line of work and picked up some great advice along the way, but the best has to be: treat everyone as you want to be treated.
How did you get to where you are today? I originally wanted to study marketing, international business or architecture, but when I couldn’t decide what exactly I wanted to do, I came to London to just live a little! I worked as a waitress in a Spanish cocktail bar and I met so many good people who were passionate about the hospitality industry and cocktail culture, I decided I wanted to explore which jobs I could do in these areas. What advice would you give someone trying to break into your industry? The drinks and hospitality industry is all about talking to people and sharing knowledge and experiences, so just be yourself, try to give your best every time and enjoy what you do.
What do you do to unwind after a tough day at work? I love to do yoga to relax. To unwind properly I head out with my best good friends for a drink - it has to be a Paloma, my favourite Mexican cocktail.
We're always obsessing over our work/life balance – how do you manage it? I usually manage to get out on time, but I love my work and I have a great personal life so it isn’t really a problem to switch from one to another.
How would your colleagues describe you? I know they say I’ve got an infectious laugh, and I hope they’d say that I’m a very positive person.
Tell us your five-year goal. I’m always striving to be better and know more. I want to know everything there is to know about tequila, and I’d love to take more people to visit Mexico to teach them about its history and heritage.
Follow Jose Cuervo on Facebook or Twitter @JoseCuervoUK.
Looking for more career inspo? It's not too late to book tickets for Marie Claire's @ Work Live,
in association with Cointreau and Next. A one-day event on 23 April
2016, featuring advice, tips and inspiration from incredible speakers.
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