Meet Janeen Jason | Certified Sommelier

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janeen Jason and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janeen, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Take good care of your employees, and they’ll take good care of your customers, and the customers will come back.” JW Marriott

As a hospitality person, it’s something that always sticks with me. I’ve worked with ownership and management that don’t follow this mantra and it becomes devastating for their business. It is key to take great care of the people that take care of your guests. It’s an energy that you want to travel back to them. It’s also a feeling of security of being in an establishment where it truly matters.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve worked in hospitality since 2006, as a bartender and a server at multiple restaurants. It wasn’t until 2012 that I realized I could make a career in wine. Before that, I spent my free time blind tasting with friends who were studying for their Sommelier exams. I took the leap of testing in 2014 and failed. It wasn’t until the next year that I passed and found my new job at VinoTeca. I’ve worked in retail for almost 8 years, and it’s been fantastic! I’ve learned that you can only do anything when the time is right. I stopped putting pressure on myself to be better and settled on being trustworthy as a retailer. That is why I work at the most popular retail wine store in the city of Atlanta!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are a few things that must happen when you’re in Atlanta. First, you have to visit the Civil Rights Museum and World of Coca-Cola. Next, you have lunch at JR Crickets and experience lemon pepper wet wings (which are an Atlanta classic). Points of interest would have to include Krog Street Market for shopping and dining, but also to enjoy Inman Park. Inman is the first suburb of Atlanta and is full of historic homes. A trip to Thumbs Up for breakfast/brunch. Dinner at Miller Union or Bocco Lupo, depending on the mood.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Special mention to my wife, Charmain, for her encouragement during my sommelier process and to this day. I would not be n my position without the push of my friend Devan Johnson, and work partner Katie Rice Watkins! I would also like to mention the Hue Society for exposing me to like-minded people of color with the same interests as me.

Website: www.shopvinoteca.com

Instagram: @jellybeanneen