We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabe & Nancy Seefoo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Gabe & Nancy with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
NANCY –
My work ethic was instilled in me early on by my family, my mother was a successful entrepreneur, and my father consistently did what was necessary to provide for us, emphasizing the importance of hard work. Being the oldest sibling, I’ve always felt a responsibility to be a role model and set positive examples. I have a strong determination to prove that there is no set way in accomplishing things, and you ultimately determine the outcome. It’s what drives me to pursue my passion for self expression through creative outlets.
Starting my career, I was often the youngest in the room, so I felt the need to prove myself while learning from others’ mistakes. This experience has shaped me into someone who prioritizes discipline and balance. I use checklists and keep my tasks organized, but I balance that structure with passion because there’s always room to grow. Influences like Gary Vaynerchuk and Camille Adrian have motivated me to keep pushing through challenges and find my own voice.
Over time, I’ve reflected on past experiences, learning from what worked and what didn’t. I strive to stay authentic to my values—helping others succeed and bringing awareness to important causes while always improving.
GABE –
My work ethic was instilled in me early on by my family, particularly my dad, who always emphasized hard work in both school and sports. Growing up, I played baseball and rollerbladed, which taught me the value of teamwork and personal discipline. Later, I got into skateboarding, and as I improved and got sponsored, I looked up to the pros, who pushed me to work even harder.
I’ve always felt a responsibility to work hard and strive to improve. My passion for growth really kicked in when I saw how much I could improve as a person through sports, and that same drive fuels me in everything I do today. I was raised on the idea of always doing my best, and that has become a core value that contributes to my work ethic.
After injuring my back and being told I needed surgery, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I studied fitness and nutrition, healed myself, and eventually became a personal trainer. I worked my way up to gym manager faster than anyone expected. I learned that it doesn’t matter what others think of you—it’s about believing in yourself and your abilities.
My daily approach to work is simple: I set priorities, dedicate a few hours to focused work, and take short breaks to reset. Music plays a big part in keeping me energized and focused. For me, balancing passion and discipline is easy because when you’re passionate about something, discipline comes naturally.
In terms of inspiration, people like Christian Guzman and Gary Vaynerchuk have shaped my mindset, particularly their determination to be the best and help others. I’ve learned that every experience builds on the last, and the more I learn, the easier it becomes to handle new challenges. My brand, More Than The Vine, aligns with my passion for helping others succeed. I do extensive research and teach myself new things, which allows me to help businesses grow by promoting them and putting them in front of the right people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At MoreThanTheVine, we create engaging and visually captivating content that highlights the charm and unique experiences offered by local wineries, businesses, and captivating wine events in Oregon wine country. Our goal is to break down the intimidation barrier around wine for younger audiences, making it more approachable, especially for millennials who may feel disconnected from traditional wine culture. We showcase not just the wine, but the experiences surrounding it—the people, the atmosphere, and the adventures that await.
What excites us most about our work is the opportunity to blend storytelling with visuals to help wineries and small businesses thrive. We’re passionate about connecting people with Oregon’s vibrant wine scene, where they can discover amazing wines, meet passionate winemakers, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes—all while feeling welcomed and included.
Currently, we’re thrilled to be expanding into the tourism side of the wine industry, collaborating with local guest houses and tourism boards to help showcase the perfect wine country getaways. We’re working on projects that highlight everything from vineyard tours to cozy stays in unique accommodations, giving our audience a full picture of what makes Oregon wine country so special.
We’d love for people to follow our journey and experience the evolving wine culture through our lens. Whether it’s an up-close vineyard tour or a cozy evening by the fire at a local guest house, we’re here to make Oregon wine experiences accessible and unforgettable.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on our journey with MoreThanTheVine, three qualities have been the most impactful: communication skills, the confidence to approach people and build genuine relationships, and the determination to continuously learn while embracing the mindset of a student.
Communication skills have been essential in every aspect of what we do. Whether it’s connecting with winery owners, collaborating with tourism partners, or sharing stories with our audience, clear and authentic communication is the foundation. For anyone starting their journey, we recommend focusing on both listening and conveying your message effectively. Building strong communication skills allows you to express your passion and establish meaningful connections.
Confidence in approaching people has also been crucial. Early on, we realized that many of our opportunities came from simply reaching out, introducing ourselves, and genuinely wanting to form new friendships. It’s about showing up with a sense of curiosity and a desire to add value. For those early in their journey, remember that it’s okay to feel a little uncertain, but confidence grows with practice. The more you put yourself out there, the easier it becomes to make authentic connections.
Lastly, our determination to continuously learn has been a driving force. The world of content creation and the wine industry is constantly evolving, so we’ve embraced being lifelong students. Whether it’s improving our video editing, understanding new social media trends, or learning more about the wine regions we feature, staying curious has kept us growing. For anyone just starting out, be open to learning from others, seek feedback, and never feel like you have to know everything from the beginning.
Our advice for others? Cultivate these skills and qualities—communication, confidence, and a love of learning—and let them guide you. The journey is as much about growth as it is about the destination, so enjoy every step along the way.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We’re always excited to collaborate with passionate people and businesses who share our love for wine and creating unforgettable experiences. We’re always looking to partner with wineries, tourism boards, marketing agencies, restaurants that feature wine, hotels, and Airbnbs. Our focus is on bringing to life the stories, experiences, and people behind these destinations in a way that feels approachable and genuine.
Wineries are a big part of what we do, but we also love working with anyone who’s looking to create memorable, wine-centric experiences for their audience. Whether it’s a vineyard tour, a cozy stay at a guest house, or a unique restaurant pairing, we’re all about showcasing the essence of these places and building real connections with people who want to explore wine country.
If you’re reading this and think we’d make a great team, we’d love to hear from you! You can connect with us on Instagram @morethanthevine or through email at morethanthevine@gmail.com. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: morethanthevine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-and-nancy-7091552a2/
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