Meet Trailblazer Nicki McTague

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki McTague.

So, before we jump into specific questions about your business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A Colorado Native (rare, I know!) and a girl who always believed in adventure, dedication, and the idea of someday “making it.” After graduating college, I packed my bags and moved to the Pacific NW without a clue of what it took to live in a major city, find a “real job,” and connect with people in an unfamiliar community. What I thought would be easy, I instead found myself in place that forced me to learn about who I was, who I want to be, and how I was going to thrive. I was fortunate enough to connect with a cousin I hadn’t seen in several years who introduced me to the wine world and I took a job sourcing and selling wine from around the world. At 22 years old, I thought all Chardonnay tasted like butter, all moms only drink Pinot Grigio, and I didn’t know the difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy. Eight years later and after working abroad, I learned a lot about wine, but I learned more about the importance of running a company, how to treat people, and what motivates and inspires someone to excel. Ironically, I didn’t learn this from our CEO, I learned it from my supervisor who engaged, educated, and genuinely cared about our small 10-person team.

I eventually found my way back to Colorado and approached The Infinite Monkey Theorem. Six years later, I’ve steadily worked my way up from their Community Coordinator to Vice President of a national brand. I’ve watched the company succeed, struggle, and learn from major hardships. From my first day to now, I believe that success is seen when you lead with integrity, honesty, and humility. I’ve learned really hard leadership lessons, I’ve cried in front of my boss and my staff, I’ve found myself sacrificing my salary in order to save the jobs of others, and many ideas that I thought were ‘shoe-ins’ have completely flopped. All that said, I’ve also celebrated success alongside those who helped us grow from a small local winery to what’s now a national brand with two wineries, I’ve met dear friends, and I’ve been inspired by people from all walks of life.

We recently underwent a major internal shift and as my position grows both internally and in the market, I’m committed to supporting and encouraging our staff, to giving back to the community in a way we’ve never done before, and due to our recent changes, I’m very committed to having a strong voice and standing up for what I believe in. In what’s been a male-dominated industry, I will not sit back and be afraid to speak out for what’s right. I’m now finding myself leading from a strong, loyal, fierce, and sometimes scary place and because of that, I’ve found myself growing as a person in ways I never thought was possible.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m pretty sure this road has been anything but smooth. Being a woman, and one who entered this male-dominated industry at 22 years old, has been very challenging at times. During my early years in the wine industry, I interacted with very few women. I’ve always been a “girl’s girl” and without having strong female role models, I really struggled to find my voice. There were times when I failed to speak up, to give opinions, and I felt the need to always agree with my superiors. Years later, I started interacting and working alongside women in the food and beverage scene and immediately felt inspired. I saw smart, savvy, and vocal women excelling.

Recently, our company underwent a major internal shift. Prior to that, I found myself struggling to stand beside company morale, internal decisions, and ultimately I left every day knowing that our company’s leadership didn’t represent my values and morals. I became lost and disconnected. I confided in a friend who also works in a male-dominated industry. She listened and then said, “You know, I’m too old for BS. I’m too old to work in a company where my voice doesn’t matter, and I’m too smart to stay in a place where I’m undervalued. And you know what? So, are you.” That simple conversation is the ONE thing I’d repeat to all women, regardless of where they are on their journey. Through my journey, I’ve learned that standing up for what’s right and believing in the people who work for you is more. I constantly remind myself of this when I struggle on projects, with people, or motivation. It’s critical to value yourself and your work. It’s also critical to be valued by the people you work for and with. Don’t forget that and don’t settle.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Infinite Monkey Theorem – what should we know?
Leading a small business on a national scale requires me to wear A LOT of hats, and sometimes not very glamorous ones. I’ve spent a lot of time working on local and national licenses, which have allowed us to grow our retail and wholesale markets, I’ve created wine clubs and partnered with local brands on food & wine collaborations, and I’ve assisted in opening multiple taprooms. However, the one thing I’m really proud of is working with those in the community. I’ve been lucky enough to work for a company who believes in giving back. Last year I teamed up with Can’d Aid, a local non-profit who gives back to towns, trails, kids, and the environment. I helped raise money through our taprooms in order to buy and build bikes for 120 local, Title 1 kids. It’s those moments that make my job, even on those tough days, so worth it. I strongly believe that every company should find a way to give back in some way (no matter how small it may feel).

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Put yourself out there! Do it when it seems scary, difficult, or even exhausting. Go to networking events, approach someone you admire and respect, ask questions, and find someone who isn’t afraid to give feedback (good and bad!). I’ve met both friends and mentors through volunteering, attending after-work events, networking lunches, etc. Listening to and watching how others navigate their roles within different organizations has helped me see what kind of a leader I want (and don’t want!) to be. Chatting with other leaders and business owners has helped me use techniques I never would have thought about – it’s other people who have helped me understand what works for me and thus helped us and IMT succeed as a small business.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3200 Larimer Street
  Denver, CO 80205
• Website: www.theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com
• Phone: 303-736-8376
• Email: nicki@theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com
• Instagram: infinite_chimp
• Facebook: theinfinitemonkeytheorem

 

Image Credit:
Nicki McTague

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