Meet Tanisha, the Founder of Girl Meets Glass. She is the Chief Wine Officer of Girl Meets Glass, a wine lifestyle and education agency. She is based in Paris, France.
Name: Tanisha
Pronoun(s): she/her
Nationality: American
Hometown: Chicago!
Current location: Paris, France
Occupation: Wine Educator
I’m Tanisha from Chicago!
I’ve been living in Paris for the past six years and plan to continue!
I initially came here for just a semester to teach wine courses at a business school, but I loved it and wanted it to be my life. So, I figured out the long-term paperwork part of living in France and did it.
Now I teach wine courses at universities, host online Masterclasses and virtual wine tastings, contribute to three different podcasts, created an e-book 75 in the 75 listing 75 of my favorite wine bars to visit in Paris, and I’m probably forgetting something lol.
When I’m not talking about or drinking wine, I love to watch Netflix of course! I’m a big fan of gin and whisky, too.
Education background
Did you attend college? If so, where, and how did you choose that school/those schools?
I did! North Carolina A&T State University. I chose my university because I had visited the school during a college tour and fell in love with the campus.
How did you choose your program? Did your decision change over the course of your time at school?
I had no idea of what I wanted to do for my life when I was 17. I actually think students shouldn’t have to declare a major right away and lock themselves into something that they aren’t even sure they want to do. I started as a marketing major, but graduated with a degree in Computer Science. So yeah, it changed over the course of time LOL.
What advice would you give someone who isn’t interested in attending a traditional college or university, but knows they want to travel?
College isn’t for everyone. Decide what travel means to you, why you think you want to do it, what you could do comfortably, then do it!
Professional Background
How might your career path have differed if you’d stayed in your home country?
I would’ve continued with tech and never made the change.
Leaving the US to completely go all in on wine was the best thing I could’ve ever done. It forced me to focus on one thing and really stick with it. There was no fail-safe or Plan B. Once I moved to Paris I had to be all in, and I was
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people I get to meet. Whether networking, hosting tours, or just at a wine shop, I’ve met some really incredible people.
Did you ever feel unsure of your career path?
Unsure in the sense of I don’t know where this path is leading. But I’m very sure I’m in the right career and on the right path.
On Lifestyle
If you could go back in time and participate in a travel experience you didn’t know was available to you at the time, what would it be?
Workaway or study abroad. I would love to have had an abroad experience in college when I was more carefree and had fewer responsibilities.
In a previous feature, Mia, Founder of Evoke Copywriting, discusses the role Workaway played in her adventures around Europe: Fearless Friday No. 12 – Mia – The Millennial Abroad
Do you think young people in your home country would benefit from traveling more? Living abroad more? Why?
Absolutely!
If I could start a non-profit right now it would have something to do with encouraging Black youth to study abroad or connecting students with study abroad programs
I think it is so important to see something else besides your family, your neighborhood… it gives you such a different point of view of the world and a different way of thinking about things and life.
There are lots of “free” ways to travel around for a while such as Workaway or Couchsurfing, etc. Have you ever used these methods and would you recommend them?
I used to Couchsurf, often. I’d recommend it. Just be mindful and safe.
How would you describe your travel style?
A unique combination of budget and luxe! But as I’m getting a little older 🙁 I’m definitely getting a little more luxe.
One last question
What advice would you give to a young person who knows they want to travel but aren’t sure where that fits in with the rest of their lives?
DO IT! Where does anything fit in the rest of our lives? How can we ever truly answer that with limited experiences in one place?
Editor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited
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Thank you for reading Fearless Friday No. 21 – Tanisha, Founder of Girl Meets Glass!
If you connected with Tanisha’s story, want to take a wine tour in Paris, learn more about French wines during your next visit to the City of Light, or simply want to connect with a fellow Chicagoan, Tanisha invites you to connect on the following platforms.
Website: Girl Meets Glass
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlmeetsglass
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