Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user21225 — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:39:34 GMT

Love your inspirational words. I live in small town in N. Idaho and would love to pursue my advanced but I don't know if I can do it on my own. Any advice regarding the possibility of success without a mentor or study groups would be much appreciated.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user18934 — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 16:43:28 GMT

Truly encouraging and influential. The story of risk, friendships, humility, failures and triumphs, and hard work from one of the "giants" is damn motivating, thank you Master Stamp.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user16319 — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 04:24:43 GMT

Thank you, Matt, this piece is fantastic and has brought me to tears. All I think about, every day, is wanting to move to California from the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, to have better opportunity to learn. A husband and 2 small boys makes this dream difficult to imagine most days. To have the opportunity to work under a master sommelier (or even advanced) is my dream. To learn every day while doing what I love. Cheers to you for being brave enough to make the best move of your life. Thank you for writing this. Meeting you at the Napa Masterclass in DC this year was one of the greatest honors of my life.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user4580 — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:33:21 GMT

I needed to read this again.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user14222 — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 20:30:00 GMT

After working the floor six days in a row...this is just what I needed to read/feel to get back up and keep moving! Thank you for sharing! -Aloha

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user9430 — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 23:17:55 GMT

Just came across this old post -- so well written and inspiring. Thanks Matt and lookin forward to seeing you soon in Texas!

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user2922 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:02:17 GMT

I am often conflicted with much of the same self doubt. Some days I feel as thought "I got this", many others I feel as though this is not yet within my reach...will we soon find out

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user2922 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 18:57:25 GMT

Thanks Matt - I mostly like the fact that Ian wore a jacket to the BBQ

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user11536 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:36:41 GMT

Thank you so much for sharing. I am facing a lot of the same challenges here in Little Rock. It is so encouraging to know that someone else has overcome the challenges I'm facing in a small town.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user14339 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:33:21 GMT

Thank you for the Inspiring words. I printed it out, and Is hanging next to my map study.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user5980 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:06:50 GMT

Matt, re-reading this now? Unbelievably helpful and encouraging. So glad you wrote it.

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user2550 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:35:17 GMT

Matt, thanks for sharing your experience!

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user2130 — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:02:57 GMT

Thanks, all. Surprised to see this old piece get so many sudden comments!

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user8455 — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 23:53:27 GMT

Beautifully written! So very inspiring. Thank you

RE: Reflections of a New Master (The Journey is the Reward?)

user7606 — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 23:11:13 GMT

Master Stamp, I love reading this and periodically read it from time to time. You are an inspiration to us all and I can't wait to write my own story on here someday. Instead of leaving, did you ever think about building a somm community in Omaha? I have built 3 of Arizona's best Somm groups. 1 for mentoring level 1's for certified, 1 for Advanced study and 1 for fun (because we should be having fun at what we do) I am realizing without a mentor for myself, there is a wall that seems to large to scale. I hear stories about all of these markets with somm communities that help each other out, mentors left and right and having a blind 6 set up for you to help. There isn't much of that in Phoenix. The little there is, is because I started it with the help of my boss, Mark Tarbell. He is a great man, and sometimes i worry about Phoenix. I am a second generation native to Phoenix and as this nation's 6th largest city, we have an icredibly tiny somm scene. With yahoos making silly waves for phoenix like Amy's Bakery, which was on Kitchen Nightmare and a local server/writer for a local periodical, bashing Thomas Keller's Per Se's wine list by penning an article called, "Why Per Se's Wine List Sucks" in the Phoenix New Times. Little do they realize that these actions makes serious and dedicated, passionate, hardworking people in our industry not want to come to Phoenix. There seems to be an ongoing phenomenon about the MS path and leaving Arizona. We have lost many great and dedicated people for their path. I write thi with my own Advanced exam looming in 1 weeks time. I hope to follow in your footsteps, one day and be at dinner surrounded by my fellow MS comrades reflecting on my own journey...Thank you for sharing!

Cheers,

-Anthony-