Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsey Salisbury
Hi Chelsey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started in the service industry when I was 16 years old as an Expo at a seafood restaurant in Corpus Christi, TX. From there, I had a bit of an adventure. I was supposed to enter the military (specifically the Navy) when I graduated high school in 2005 because I wasn’t sure of what it was that I wanted to do with my life. I just knew that I wanted to travel and experience more of what life had to offer. The evening before I was to step on to the ship, I ended up buying a one way bus ticket to Seattle, WA and left for that journey instead. I absolutely winged it. I didn’t know anyone there, other than through MySpace acquaintances, but I got ridiculously lucky and made lifelong friends when I arrived. I ended up living in Seattle on and off for 3 years. During that time, I went on tour throughout North America with a rock band called the Fall of Troy. I had miscellaneous jobs when I lived in WA, all which taught me to keep an open mind and if you work hard, anything is possible. I moved back to Austin, TX in 2009 and had worked in the service industry at Guero’s Taco Bar as a server/bartender for about 5 years. I also went to school for AstroPhysics, Literature, and received my 200 HR certification for teaching Yoga, which I still do on the side because I love helping people. From there, I met a man named Howie Miller (Owner) who introduced me to Matt Rade (General Manager and all around badass) at Blackheart (an epic whiskey bar) on Rainey St. Matt gave me a chance and from then Whiskey has consumed me. I had always been a Whiskey advocate before working at Blackheart, but there I had the opportunity to learn about Whiskey and fell in love with the history and the passion that goes into making it. Blackheart closed 3 years ago and I was picked up by Red Carpet Productions, a marketing company that works with smaller brands, and Still Austin Whiskey was one of my brands. I started off as a Senior Brand Manager for Red Carpet Productions and a Brand Ambassador for Still Austin. Still Austin was at its infancy when I started and from there I instantly fell in love with the brand, it’s story, and it’s owners. The entire team at Still Austin are outstanding human beings and advocates for what is delicious and what is right. I have had the most amazing mentors throughout my entire duration with Still Austin Whiskey Co. I specifically must acknowledge Chris Seals (CEO & Founder), he is everything I hope to be as a leader one day. With Still Austin I have helped build the brand in Central Texas on and off premise. Brandon Joldserma (General Manager of Still Austin) officially hired me onto the team over a year and a half ago as their Central Texas Market Manager to work under the legend, Christopher Cain, and I haven’t looked back. Life is an epic journey and as long as you follow what you love, you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be with the right people.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, not in the beginning. Building a brand from the ground up is no easy feat for anyone, but if you love it, it’s worth everything. The biggest struggle for me was adapting to the job itself. I had never done Sales for a liquor brand before. I had to learn the etiquette, how to create my own schedule based on my work ethics, based on what the brand needed to succeed. I also had to learn how to work alone a lot of the time, which was hard because I came from working constantly with people around me in the restaurant/bar atmosphere. I also struggled with hearing the phrase no. A lot of times when you’re selling a product, you’re selling yourself, and to hear that someone doesn’t want something that you absolutely love, because I love this brand, well, it was a humbling experience. Luckily, the brand has grown substantially and the “no’s” have become far less frequent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently the Central Texas Market Manager for Still Austin Whiskey Co. I specialize in building relationships between the brand and accounts/human beings out in the market. I am known for being a Whiskey/Gin Woman about town. I am most proud to see our community work together to support one another, especially during the pandemic. We are not a big brand such as other brands, so to see restaurants and bars use our products, so that they could support us during these hard times, that was incredible. Also, when Still Austin made hand sanitizer, free of charge, for whoever in the community that needed it because there was a lack, that’s what stimulates me and makes me proud, seeing people work together as a community. Connecting with one another as a society is imperative to thriving and succeeding. What sets me apart is my relentless belief and love for Still Austin Whiskey and Austin, TX, but also people and for all that they are as a totality. I will do anything that I can to help anyone, because I genuinely love people and believe in the common good of every soul. My purpose is to bring people together and to help them understand that they are capable of achieving anything that they set their minds to. Through Still Austin Whiskey Co. and Yoga, I am capable of doing this throughout our city and hopefully beyond.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I play video games on PC and PS4 with my friends. I believe magic is real and I love books. I think it surprises people most though when they find out that I am indeed a gamer and that DnD night is my favorite night.
Contact Info:
- Email: chelsey@stillaustin.com
- Website: StillAustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseysalisbury/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=619032224
Image Credits
Still Austin Whiskey Co.
