Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Tamburello.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, my passion was horses. I began riding at age 10, moving rapidly through the levels to become a student and competitor under Olympic coach guidance. Dedicating myself to the sport brought me to running my own business of coaching students and training horses. I traveled around the East coast competing only to end up in Florida where racehorses taught me another lesson in life. I soon began riding for a highly ranked Thoroughbred trainer. I was trusted to ride his top horses, and with encouragement from a Hall of Fame Jockey, I soon carried my own jockey license and began competing in thoroughbred racing. Winning 167 races during my Apprenticeship put me on top of that year’s Apprentice standing for the US, and I became an Eclipse-nominated Jockey. I retired from races and transitioned into management of thoroughbred farms focusing on sales and broodmare management.
This path paved in me a strong work ethic, communication, problem-solving skills, and responsibility. Turning 40 years old and pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain turned me into the direction of my second passion, Wine. I began studying for the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine Spirit Educational Trust (WSET), and soon was a Wine Manager for a large liquor store chain in Kentucky. I had envisioned a coffee wine shop concept and felt that I was creating a road to my vision.
I interviewed with Corks Family Brands in 2021 as an AGM for the downtown location Corkopolis, knowing that Flatiron Cafe would be opening in the coming year. I spent the beginning of 2022 working to create and finalize the Flatiron Cafe concept. We opened June 17th of 2022 with a Portfolio show featuring German and Austrian winemakers through Skurnik Wines Vinter Select.
We opened our doors to the public and immediately felt the love and warmth from the neighborhood. My focus is to keep a strong relationship within the community by staying connected and active in local events and working to establish a cornerstone in Mt Auburn.
I have found many challenges with opening a location! Each challenge has given me a new approach and allows me to laugh at my shortcoming, utilize my strengths, and, most importantly is to become a Team.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No road worth traveling is smooth! The bumps have been significant, and a few roadblocks took some air out of the tires! The stage of opening that I was brought into may be the shortest for the Flatiron Cafe! Our owner and a plethora of individual groups really put the miles on the road! Neyer Holdings, Cincinnati Port Authority, and Mt. Auburn Community Development Corportation all worked to preserve the Flatiron building and establish the roots for the Cafe to build on.
Learning each day about the ins and outs of a coffee shop, wine bar, cafe, and all things in between has been a steep curve, but one I felt ready for and was more than willing embrace. In horses, the minute you felt like you knew something or became a bit too confident, the horse was the first to tell you; maybe you should rethink your thought! This is the same here in the Cafe that each day a new solution appears, and you build one the knowledge each situation brings to the table.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the General Manager of the Flatiron Cafe in Mt. Auburn, Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have my Advanced Wine Spirit Educational Trust Certificate and my Introduction in the Court of Master Sommeliers. I am also the founder of the Cincinnati Wine Passport. The Cincinnati Wine Passport offers an incredible chance to taste wines from around the world while simultaneously building into Cincinnati’s wine community. The journey will take you to several of Cincinnati’s amazing small wine businesses, united as partners to promote and support one another.
Each wine destination works in collaboration to connect the Traveler with specific renowned wine regions and grape varietals. Together, they take you around the world of wine!
I have been told I am someone that says what they want to do, and I do exactly what I said.
I am always striving to create ideas that improve our business, community, or myself. I am very proud of my work ethic and the accomplishments I have achieved by working hard and staying dedicated. I often speak my mind and try not to sugarcoat. I grew up having learned the responsibility of my actions by working in the barns. If I did not do what I was asked, the consequences meant a horse or person may be put in danger. That lesson really developed my work ethic.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Great questions! Step one to find a mentor; you must be open to admitting that you need help, which can be difficult to admit!
But step two is seeking those you admire in your profession and reaching out.
You would be very surprised how open people are to helping each other, when you ask from a place of humility and aspiration.
Networking is the coolest way to meet people! Networking has always been easy for me due to my general interest in learning about people and hearing their stories. People have fascinating stories, and everyone can teach you something!
Contact Info:
- Website: flatironcincy.com
- Instagram: @flatironcincy
- Facebook: @FatironCincy
- Other: IG: @cinywinepassport
Image Credits
John Engelghardt
