Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Golembeski
Hi Jordan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative kid. I was often drawing and getting into trouble for doodling on my homework in school. It was obvious that I leaned toward the artistic side of things, so my parents tried to encourage that the best they could. I also had a healthy interest in technology and knew I had to do something creative for a living, whatever that would be. This led me to animation, computer graphics, and filmmaking, which eventually introduced me to design. All these these things taught me a variety of skills, and more importantly how to learn and teach myself new things. This mixture of knowledge and skillsets also enabled me to see things from a unique perspective and connect dots in ways that others may not see.
I’ve put a lot of work into trying to improve my skills and increase my knowledge base. The trick for me is to keep in mind that there’s always more I can be, somewhere to improve, and a new perspective to see. I enjoy learning about things, and even if I never do anything with it, it can always inspire a new way to look at something else. Everything you do will build skills and experiences that you can apply in your life, you just have to be willing to see that value. Most people aren’t successful right away, it’s the exploring and stumbling that builds you up. You’ve got to scrub and polish a stone before it shines.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha NOPE! My family grew up with hardships, struggles, and setbacks that affected opportunities and luxuries that many of my peers were able to enjoy. These things taught us to endure and showed us how to overcome. It also brought us closer together, how to depend on one another, and that we were stronger than we thought. Struggles also teach you how to be creative and work with what you’ve got as well as motivate you to get out of your comfort zone to get things done.
As far as my creative work, everyone has talents in certain areas but that only takes you so far. You’ve gotta work at it and you’re probably not going to be good at it when you start. I’ve made more mistakes than I can count but the key is to see those failures as learning opportunities. With each shot, you adjust until you start hitting the target. You need a little stubbornness, call it determination if you like, but everything in life is about practicing and working at it. You may not get every opportunity, and you may not be ready for every opportunity, but bit by bit you’re getting there.
I’m much more capable than when I started. I still make mistakes, but not as many and they teach me what not to do. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Sucking at something is the first step to being sorta good at something”.
As you know, we’re big fans of Austin Ale Trail/ATX Beer Party. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Austin Ale Trail has been a passion project of mine for the last few years. I’ve been a fan of craft beer for many years and Austin is a treasure trove of unique breweries that serve as some of the best hangouts around the city. The Ale Trail is a craft brewery passport that encourages exploration of the city and all the great brewery experiences it has to offer. It’s a great tool for locals and visitors alike and it supports local businesses and communities. The passport includes over 50 breweries to explore, each with its own unique ‘passport perk’ offering discounts and freebies for that visit. ‘Ale Trailers’, as we call them, try to collect as many stamps as they can throughout the season. We have a big party at the end of the season with limited edition swag, freebies, and collaboration beers for the event. We also host and put on events with breweries to give people things to do and build the community. The passport is a catalyst to bring people together. We want to share the experience and help people make new friends while exploring the city. Austin has a lot of transplants, so if we can help facilitate new friendships and experiences then we’re all for it! We just launched our 5th season this September with plenty of fun things in the works.
I also helped start the new craft beer event promotions group, ATX Beer Party. Beer Party was inspired by many ‘Beer Weeks’ that cities do across the country. We wanted this to be something more, though. We wanted to celebrate the great community that Austin has along with all the creative and talented people that make it what it is. Sure, everything revolves around beer and brewers, but we also feature creatives, designers, music, food, and more. ATXBP is a tribute to the conversations and camaraderie that follow when sharing a beer. We launched with a flagship week, but the party continues throughout the year with curated events highlighting various aspects of the Austin beer scene. Some of the beer parties we have put on have involved bottle shares, karaoke nights, food and beer pairings, creative talks, brew hop bike rides, and mini beer festivals.
This is just the beginning, we’re nearing our first anniversary and there’s more to come. We’ll be doing another Beer Party Week in November with a few of our favorite events from the past year as well as new events like film screenings, dog parties (Austin loves dogs), and more. We’re really doing something different and hoping to give people unique and fun things to do as well as show them there’s much more behind the beer they drink.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I’ve shared these things already but they are worth repeating.
Do Your Homework – Dive into as much info as you can, expand your skills, soak up knowledge, seek out feedback, and see what others are up to in your field. Absorb everything you can and don’t assume you’ve got it all figured out. Whatever you’re working on, chances are someone else has tackled something similar. You can learn a ton from their wins and flops. There’s a lot of wisdom out there, and the more you know, the better off you’ll be.
Keep Going – It’s not about how fast you’re moving; just keep at it. You’ll hit snags and second-guess yourself, but remember, the worthwhile stuff is rarely easy. Every experience, even the ones that seem off-track, is a chance to learn. No matter how it looks, you’re making progress. And if you find out that what you’re aiming for isn’t quite right, don’t be afraid to switch gears and apply what you’ve learned to a new direction. Sometimes getting lost is just part of finding your way.
Be Real – Be upfront about what you want and what you’re aiming for. It’s okay to ask questions, and don’t worry about hearing ‘No.’ Rejections can often help you learn how to communicate better. Ask for feedback and follow up on any concerns. You might be surprised at how being genuine and honest can turn rejections into opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atxaletrail.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinaletrail/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atxaletrail
- Other: https://www.atxbeerparty.com/
