We recently connected with Derrick McGuire and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Derrick 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?
I grew up outside of a small town in Wyoming where I had many hands-on responsibilities. I learned of the satisfaction in taking in the fruits of labor after a long day of work. Further, my first few jobs were all in the restaurant industry where applying the same ethics yielded a positive outcome. After becoming paralyzed at 17 years old, this formula again proved helpful in quickly getting back up to speed.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve found a necessity in life to explore the world, arts and expressive professions. Growing up near vast wilderness fueled a passion for outdoor activities including camping, motocross, snowboarding and soccer. My father played in a band my entire young life which inspired me to pick up drums at 15.
At the age of 17 I experienced a traumatic motorcycle accident while trail riding. It left me permanently paralyzed below the waistline. I was privileged enough to recover at one of the country’s best spinal cord injury hospitals near Denver, CO. Through months of therapy and loving encouragement/support from family & friends I was able to rediscover an equally fulfilling life as an active wheelchair user.
After a short experience in college I needed to explore the boundaries of my abilities and relocated to Denver in 2010. There, I discovered an incredible underground music scene, learned to play mandolin and played/toured with a number of bands. Currently, I play in an eclectic, genre-bending folk band. We consistently tour and are constantly looking for new avenues of growth.
Around 2018 I started part-time work at a small, boutique bottle shop. It was here where I developed a passion for craft beer. Building upon a “mix-n-match” model I helped usher in a highly successful beer program which exploded in popularity during and after the pandemic. In 2022 I moved on to further expand my knowledge and skills in the industry by joining the team at Denver Wine Merchant. The challenge of understanding and learning about the world of fine wine is my journey today and the adventure never ceases to satisfy.
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?
Through my experience I’ve learned the most value from recognizing mistakes and crafting them in to lessons, allowing room for rest and finding community in the fields which drive you.
Surround yourself with ambitious and creative folks. Be open to exploration and the occasional self-audit. Be humble.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents gave me undying support in every endeavor I’ve pursued. No matter how feeble the beginnings may have been, they allowed space and trust in my ambitions to make something work on my own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fablesofthefall
- Youtube: @fablesofthefall7731
- Other: Website: denverwinemerchant.com Instagram: @denverwinemerchant
