Hannah Curty is a Racine, Wisconsin, sales representative who works with M Shiraz in delivering quality wines that drive retail and hospitality revenue. She conducts in-store tastings and promotes compelling products as they are released. In addition to servicing existing accounts, Hannah Curty seeks to expand the company’s sales territory and excels at dynamic product placements that encourage fine wine sales.
Ms. Curty holds a marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she completed coursework in areas such as consumer behavior, perception, and motivation. She also gained insight into the strategies that inform impactful and targeted marketing campaigns. She has a lasting interest in investment strategies that drive sustained financial results.
Ms. Curty’s experience includes a past role as a sales representative with RHM Staffing Solutions. She evaluated candidate strengths and weaknesses through an in-depth process of interviews and screenings. She also engaged with managers in wage rate negotiations and ensured that clients were fairly compensated for work performed. A travel enthusiast, Ms. Curty has visited destinations across the country, such as Scottsdale, Nashville, and Naples.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early with a workout. It helps me clear my head and energize for the day ahead. From there, I dive into my planner and map out my route for account visits, setting goals for each stop. I stay productive by sticking to a routine but building in flexibility for unexpected opportunities. I also make sure to prepare materials ahead of time, whether it’s updated pricing, samples, or shelf talkers so I walk in ready to offer value. The key to productivity in sales is staying proactive rather than reactive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’m a big believer in writing everything down, no matter how rough the idea might be. If I think of a new marketing strategy, display concept, or event idea, I write it in my planner first. From there, I’ll research, plan the logistics, and test it with one or two accounts that I know are open to trying new things. Feedback is essential, so I always ask questions and listen to what works and what doesn’t. Once I refine the concept, I roll it out on a larger scale. It’s all about turning creativity into something actionable and measurable.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The way people learn about wine is changing. TikTok sommeliers and Instagram wine educators are making wine feel more approachable and less intimidating. I love seeing this shift, and I use it as inspiration when creating educational tools for my accounts.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I’ve found that my mornings are way more productive when I prep everything the night before. That means laying out what I’m wearing, packing any samples or sales materials I’ll need, and reviewing my schedule so I know exactly where I’m headed. It only takes 10 or 15 minutes, but it makes a huge difference. I don’t start the day rushed or scrambling, and I’m more focused from the start. That little bit of structure helps me hit the ground running.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself to trust the process and stop rushing the results. Early on, I was always chasing the next milestone or trying to prove something. I’ve learned that consistency and patience matter more than speed. The big wins come from doing the little things right every single day, even when no one’s watching.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I genuinely believe that handwritten planners are more effective than digital apps, especially for people in sales. There’s something about the physical act of writing that sharpens your focus and helps you retain information better. I get that apps have reminders and sync across devices, but there’s just no substitute for putting pen to paper and mapping out your day. It creates a stronger sense of accountability.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Move my body every day. Even if it’s just a short walk or a quick workout, I move my body every single day. It clears my head, boosts my energy, and helps me stay grounded. Especially in a job where I’m constantly driving or on my feet, staying physically active outside of work makes a huge difference. I think everyone should find some form of movement they enjoy and do it consistently.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I’ve learned that the best way to handle overwhelm is to step away briefly and reset. For me, that might mean going for a quick walk, doing a short workout, or even just closing my laptop and taking five deep breaths. Once I’ve cleared my head, I identify just one task I can knock out right away. That sense of momentum usually helps me get back on track. I also lean into routines. They give me structure when things feel chaotic.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Relationship-building, without a doubt. I focus on being more than a sales rep. I want to be a resource and a partner to my accounts. That means understanding their unique needs, helping them with staff education, creating marketing tools like shelf talkers, and being someone they can rely on. By building trust and genuinely caring about their success, I’ve been able to grow my business sustainably. It’s not about making the quick sale; it’s about creating long-term value.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I overpromised on a delivery timeline to a new client. The product didn’t arrive in time, and it made them look bad in front of their customer. I was mortified. I took full responsibility, apologized sincerely, and did everything I could to make it right, including offering credit and replacing the product out of pocket. The experience taught me a valuable lesson: always be transparent and manage expectations carefully. It’s better to be honest and realistic than to overpromise and underdeliver.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Start a locally-focused wine club that partners with independent liquor stores. Each month, offer curated selections based on fun themes like “Wines Under $25 That Drink Like $50” or “Staff Favorites.” Add custom shelf talkers, tasting notes, and a QR code that links to a video or playlist. It’s a great way to build a community around wine and drive repeat traffic to the store. People love the feeling of discovery, especially when it’s made easy.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Google Sheets all the time to keep my sales data, inventory updates, and client info organized. It’s super flexible, so I can create custom spreadsheets to track orders, follow-ups, and product performance. Having everything in one place makes it easier to spot trends and plan my next steps. Plus, since it’s cloud based, I can access and update my sheets from my phone when I’m out visiting accounts, which keeps me on top of things, no matter where I am.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite book is The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. It really resonated with me because it’s all about overcoming self-sabotage and turning your biggest challenges into opportunities for growth. The book helped me see how much of my progress depends on mindset and personal responsibility, which is something I try to apply both in my career and personal life.
Key learnings
- Routine and preparation enhance productivity. Starting the day with a workout and preparing materials the night before helps maintain focus and efficiency.
- Strong relationships lead to sustainable business growth. Building trust by offering value through staff education, customized marketing tools, and consistent follow-through helps create long-term partnerships rather than short-term transactions.
- Consumer education is shifting through social media. This trend presents an opportunity to develop more modern and relatable educational tools for retail accounts.
- Learning from failure builds resilience and credibility. Responding to mistakes with accountability, humility, and a growth mindset improves your chances of success next time and can help strengthen customer relationships.