I met Vaida around a year ago when the Grand Rapids Girls Pint Out chapter organized a Belgian Beer Tasting event at 7 Monks Taproom in Grand Rapids. Instantly I knew we would be friends. She enters a room with strong confidence and treats everyone like they’ve been friends for years, even if you just met her. After the event, Vaida and I stayed closed, meeting up for drinks and dinner when she was in town.
Vaida is the Marketing/Sales Rep for a brewery in Northern Michigan called Stormcloud Brewing Company, which to be frank, they are KILLING it lately. Stormcould focuses on Belgian inspired beers. They have two locations, a pub, and a brewery downtown Frankfort, MI. Both locations feature unique pizzas and popcorns. They are also known for their curly course where they host lessons and tournaments. I would highly recommend picking up a 6-pack or venturing to one of their locations to experience the hard work and lovely brews yourself.
Being apart of Girls Pint Out has allowed me to meet so many amazing people who are killing it in the craft beer world. I love meeting the bad-ass women of this industry. We will be starting a series about women killing it in the craft beer world. I feel Vaida would be a great candidate to start this series off. Below is the interview with Vaida of Stormcloud Brewing Company.
Holli: What jobs at the brewery would you be terrible at?
Vaida: Lab technician. I would be breaking test tubes left and right. I’m not very good at standing still so getting anything under a microscope would be challenging.
Holli: What are some small things that make your day in your job better?
Vaida: My co-workers and distributor partners. Everyone has become like a family. No matter if I’m at the brewery or traveling outside my home market I have an incredible group of people who will always look out for me. It gets tough to be away from home so much but having people who have the best intentions for you make your time away from home a lot easier.
Holli: What are your favorite beer and food pairing?
Vaida: Omg, custard, and IPA. It’s such a great balance of texture and taste it makes my mouth water.
Holli: What beers are on your bucket list?
Vaida: Not anything specific but I always love anything that is slightly tart and sour.
Holli: Other than beer what are your hobbies?
Vaida: I love to fish in summer and winter, I rarely catch anything so it’s pretty much just a really expensive dinner when I do.
Holli: What is your hidden talent?
Vaida: Brightening anyone’s day. I have a really optimistic view on life and I have a good ability to remind anyone in a funk that we have a lot to be grateful for. If that doesn’t work I just buy you a beer and a shot of vodka and that makes everything better.
Holli: What fad or trend in the industry do you hope comes back?
Vaida: NONE OF THEM! I love where we are and what we have accomplished because of them. It has made the industry stronger given it was a bad or good trend.
Holli: What advice would you give to someone starting out as a woman in the beer sales industry?
Vaida: Don’t be afraid to ask. If you want a job knock on doors, shake some hands, and then follow up. And the most important skills that you could possess in any type of sales is being an effective listener and being empathic.
