Today we’d like to introduce you to Angi Thomas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Angi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
About seven years ago, I was on the sofa taking a nap, it was summertime in Texas so you attach yourself to the A/C at all times. I got a call from a friend who was working at a beer festival downtown. It was hot and someone was feeling a bit woozy from the heat. She said, ” They’ll pay you for coming down and helping out.” It piqued my interest and I replied, “How Much?” She said, ” Twenty dollars an hour.’ I quickly rose up and told her, “I’ll be there in 15 minutes.” That’s how it all got started. I worked at a beer festival and was not interested in beer at all. My first introduction to beer was seeing my Grandfather drinking in Schlitz Malt Liquor Bull. If that’s what beer smelled and tasted like I didn’t want to have any parts of it. I became a Brand Ambassador, which is an independent contractor for several companies in the Beer, Wine and Spirits industry. I’m the cheerleader that you see at your local grocery store or Liquor store. I can’t refer a product in good conscience without trying it. There will always be one customer that wants to know, “Which one do you like?” “How does it taste?” This is where I discovered the world of Craft Beers. It’s not your Grandfather’s beer; it’s delicious.
Being a Brand Ambassador gave me the opportunity to release my palate to a variety of beers. I got hooked. Then, I started my exploration of breweries and checking out stores that supply craft beer. It’s a vast industry that is continuously growing with new flavors. I started my IG account, The Undeniable Vixen, about three years ago, to branch out and highlight beers that I’ve enjoyed. Then, I went to a “Bottle Share” and it dropped me right into the arms of the Craft Beer Community in Dallas. A Bottle Share is an event hosted by a person or persons who just want to come and share their beer as well as encourage others to bring items as well. It’s normally at a brewery or an eatery that sells craft beer or is also a brewery itself. The goal is to patronize the local establishment almost like a Cash Mob (everyone buys something at least a round). This is a small thank you for allowing us in the space. We fellowship, share beers from all over the country… sometimes the world, share information about upcoming beer releases.
As I continued to get invited to shares I looked around and noticed there’s maybe one or two women in the sea of men. It had me thinking, “Where are the women? Why aren’t they coming out?” I was confident that I wasn’t the only woman that enjoyed craft beer because I follow lots of women in DFW that loved beer just as much as I do. I made another turn to creating my own Bottle Share. I was terrified. I started asking ladies. The response was they needed a safe space, they’re not sure if they like beer but willing to try it, they wanted to see more women at events, it was very glaring that I rarely saw people of color at these shares.
Still, I know we (people of color) like craft beer too. No, actually we love it.
Some of these women work in said breweries making wonderful beer. I saw the need and decided I wanted to do something about it. I also wanted to ensure that diversity and inclusion was evident in my shares. It was very glaring that I didn’t rarely saw people of color at these shares.
Again, I know we like craft beer too. I’ve had some Black home brewers that prove it time and time again with amazing beer. I wanted to align myself through education so my shares are designed for the beer novice, and allow them to try it, and get a variety to sample. So, I went through my IG account and invited everyone no matter what they were inclined to drink. My motto is “I will have a beer that you will like.” This is for those professional women that have business meetings with the guys and they go to a Craft Beer Bar. They will know and see a beer they recognize to sip on and enjoy. The share gives them an opportunity to connect with other women and keep the conversation going about what treasures they may find at the event. As I continue to have shares, I’m seeing it grow with more people of color and women. It’s exciting to see the hashtag Black People Drink Craft Beer come alive right before my eyes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My biggest struggle was mostly me getting out of my own way. Taking a chance. Despite what people think I am truly an introvert and so comfortable with a book with my dogs sitting nearby but this lit a fire into me. I wanted to change it. You can’t wait for someone else to do it because YOU are the change. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and ask questions to anybody in your particular industry. Someone is going to be willing to guide you as well as you doing your own due diligence. This has to be a passion. Would you do it if you never get an extra dime from it? You should continue to strive for the next piece of the mosaic puzzle your business could achieve to be, just keep adding pieces, you may have to remove pieces that didn’t work, but strive to get that one glorious masterpiece up for the world to see.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Undeniable Vixen – what should we know?
I’m a Brand Ambassador that specializes in Wine, Beer and Liquor. I’m an independent contractor to five companies that use my service. On average I learn about 15-20 varieties a year in detail so that when I give talking points I’m well educated and precise. I’m mostly known for beer because I’ve started traveling for beer. Domestically, craft beer is booming all over, and I stay in search of that perfect beer. I also do Beer Night Cap on my IG account The_Undeniable_Vixen. This is where I take a beer find or a beer that was sent to me and try it out on the fly.
The brand, The Undeniable Vixen, is for everyone. I wanted the opportunity to highlight the so-called “Little Guy” being the local breweries, see the range of people who have come to enjoy beer, have a safe place for women, as well as show the world the diversity of Craft Beer drinkers because we’ve been told it’s only for white dudes. Beer doesn’t discriminate. Beer is for everyone. If I have to put the spotlight to dispel the myth, so be it.
I’ve also been hired to do tasting events within the city. I advocate learning about all aspects of wine, beer and liquor.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I posed a question on a podcast, “You’re at a brewery and wanted to meet the Brewmaster who made this amazing beer. Someone tells you, “Ooh, Alex is over there. Go say “Hi.” There’s a man and a woman standing at the opposite end of the bar. Who do you go to? ” A lot of people would automatically go right over to the man, not even having the ability to believe women could have been the Brewmaster. That’s the issue. Women are still fighting to being taken seriously in the Craft Beer Industry, let along Women of Color. There are so many women that have been doing this for years and just now being discovered. It’s disheartening to know history has been re-written and not in your favor. The truth is that women, yes women, are the originators of beer making more than 7000 years ago. We’ve been written out of the narrative, but we must claim it back again. It’s going to take more women to support each other to share their stories and go to those breweries often.
Pricing:
- Wine, Beer, Liquor Tasting 101 (You provide the items to showcase) $60.00 an hour (3-hour event)
- Wine, Beer, Liquor Tasting 101 (I provide the items to showcase) $80.00 an hour (3-hour event)
Contact Info:
- Website: http://blog.theundeniablevixen.com
- Phone: 682-325-9845
- Email: theundeniablevixen@yahoo.com
- Instagram: the_undeniable_vixen
- Facebook: The Undeniable Vixen
- Twitter: The_Undeniable_Vixen
Image Credit:
Angi Thomas and The Undeniable Vixen
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