Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Teresa Spellman Gamble. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Teresa, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I am blessed to have been raised in a large family built on the values of service and community. My father was in elected office until I was in my early twenties. I was keenly aware that some people supported my father’s policies, and others did not. Additionally, I knew that the moment I left the privacy of home, I was representing my father and my family. Lastly, my father’s job was publicly voted for, every four years or so.
These realities cultivated my resilience in several ways:
1) Exposure to scrutiny. It was not uncommon to face public scrutiny and criticism in high school and college, which built resilience by teaching me to cope with adversity and develop thick skin.
2) Adaptability. Growing up ‘in the spotlight’ required constant adaptation to changing circumstances, which fostered resilience and flexibility in dealing with challenges.
3) Navigating complex relationships. Our family had to navigate complex relationships and dynamics, which taught resilience in managing interpersonal conflicts and maintaining composure under pressure.
4) Learning from setbacks. Witnessing my father navigate political setbacks and failures taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, showing me how to bounce back from disappointment and setbacks.
Overall, the unique experiences and pressures faced as a child of a public servant contributed to the development of my resilience, preparing me to navigate the challenges of professional life and beyond. I gained the ability to adapt to stressful situations, and cope with life’s ups and downs. While resilience hasn’t eliminated stress or erased life’s difficulties, it has allowed me to tackle problems, live through adversity, and move on successfully in life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
When I was about 18 or 19 years old, my dad asked all the kids around the Sunday dinner table, ‘’If you had all the money in the world but you had to continue working, what would you do?” That was a tough question for me. While my dad and siblings quickly had an answer, I literally spent months thinking of an answer, what was I passionate about? What did I want to do? Eventually I landed on a business plan where I would have a business focused on producing and selling local arts and goods, that would award annual revenue to a different nonprofit each year. And that’s what we did, some decades later, when we created our business, Tinte Cellars!
My husband, Tim, and I founded Tinte Cellars in 2018 with the vision of producing Great Wine for the Greater Good. Today, our goal of crafting world-class wines and generously giving back to the community is being realized, as Tinte Cellars successfully bridges philanthropy with operation of a premium Washington State winery.
Integral to our business model is our social mission. We make it easy for our customers to support nonprofits, because we donate a portion of every bottle sold! Since Tinte Cellars’ founding, we have donated over $1.22M to support numerous charities in Washington State. We are grateful to our community of Tinte Cellars wine club members, customers, and devoted staff of wine professionals who are instrumental in our philanthropic and service efforts and fully embrace our mission of Great Wine for the Greater Good. We are gratified to know we’re making an impact in the lives of those in need and inspiring our community to expand these efforts.
Each year, Tinte Cellars selects a few nonprofit organizations to receive a portion of all wine sales. In 2024 we are supporting these charities with our sales contributions: Seattle Children’s Crisis Care Clinic, Mary’s Place, Northwest Harvest, and the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. An additional 200+ nonprofit organizations have also been supported via in kind donations since our founding.
Tinte Cellars’ commitment to community doesn’t stop at the donations we make. Tinte is also committed to supporting our community through a broad array of initiatives, such as collecting food for those in need; walking together to raise awareness for mental health; or making valentines for pediatric hospital patients. These activities enable us to provide more ways to support area charities and provide our customers and employees with opportunities to amplify their impact and give back in whatever way is most meaningful to them.
Tinte Cellars produces 3,500 cases of wine each year, all from Washington grapes. We released our first wines under the Tinte Cellars with the 2018 vintage, and have since won numerous medals and accolades from critics and competitions. Tinte Cellars tasting rooms are open for wine tasting in Woodinville Washington and in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. And Tinte Estates became a part of Red Mountain’s world-class wine growers by recently establishing the Tinte Estates Vineyards and Tinte Red Mountain Retreat, with over 16 acres of vines planted in Eastern Washington.
Community, volunteerism, and giving back with time, treasure & talent formed the foundation of both Tim and my backgrounds. Our culture. When we established Tinte Cellars, it was essential that the winery reflect these values. I am blessed to have been raised by parents who instilled a deep commitment to public and community service in each of their six children. My father was a public servant and served as King County Commissioner, King County Executive, and Governor of Washington State – always advocating for the underserved, the environment, and efforts to improve the quality of life in the community we have called home for generations. I have cherished memories working side by side with my mom at food banks when I was quite young; in fact she lobbied the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for surplus commodities and worked with the Restaurant Association to collect leftovers to distribute to food banks back in the early 1980s. I think my mother’s commitment to eradicating food insecurity has greatly influenced Tinte Cellars’ support of Northwest Harvest. And I honestly believe that if it weren’t for my dad asking that question at the dinner table, I might not have discovered my passion, and founded Tinte Cellars with my husband.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Continuous Learning & Adaptability – Prioritizing ongoing skill development, staying abreast of industry trends, and expanding one’s knowledge-base are key. Embracing a growth mindset allows an individual to adapt to change, seize opportunities for innovation, and become and remain competitive in their careers. This includes being open to feedback, seeking out new challenges, and embracing lifelong learning opportunities through courses, workshops and other educational resources.
Networking & Relationship Building – Developing strong networking skills and cultivating professional relationships can open doors to new opportunities, mentorship, and support networks. Folks early in their journey should focus on building authentic connections with colleagues, mentors, industry peers and potential clients. Effective networking involves active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and maintaining genuine relationships build on trust and mutual respect.
Confidence & Assertiveness. These are crucial skills for navigating an often male-dominated business world. It enables young female professionals to advocate for themselves, assert their ideas, and pursue opportunities with conviction. Confidence also helps in overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt, allowing women to take risks and step outside their comfort zones to pursue their goals.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
It’s taken me many years, but I have developed the best way to personally traverse through feeling overwhelmed. I pause. I take some time to myself, and I go for a walk or run. And instead of letting my mind wander and getting further worked up, I listen to music or a podcast or book on tape. This strategy works wonders! The endorphins kick in, and I feel energized and ready to tackle whatever was making me feel overwhelmed. Try it – it works!
Contact Info:
- Website: tintecellars.com
- Instagram: tintecellars
- Linkedin: Teresa Spellman Gamble, Tinte Cellars
Image Credits
Image Credits – Tinte Cellars
