We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheila Donohue and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheila, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I was raised by 2nd generation immigrants whose parents escaped poverty and political turmoil in their native country. The survival mode that my grandparents had when they immigrated to the US and raised a family was transferred to both of my parents. So, I was raised in a similar way with my dad, in particular, encouraging us 4 “kids” to get a college degree in a field where you had high chances of getting a job (and keeping it) and making a good salary. I didn’t know another way of life firsthand as a young adult so I chose the path that my dad suggested. I got a BS in math and computer science, followed by an MBA, working in “Corporate America.”

Speaking of risk, I wound up becoming an expert in credit risk management, after managing one successful project after another to streamline risk management processes in financial services firms. Then, in 2001, boom, “Corporate America” became a traitor: after a management re-organization at my employer at the time, I was told I had “unsatisfactory” work performance and “like that”, I didn’t have a job.

What happened to the job security I was told I would have if I followed a certain path? Then, I started to take more risks.

Coincidentally, the “day after” “Sept 11th,” after spending that horrible day in downtown NYC, I wound up getting a job offer to work in credit risk management for an Italian firm. Yes, it required re-locating to Italy. Well, while it seemed like a no-brainer decision (who wouldn’t move to Italy while still having a decent paying job), it did mean making a big personal and career move “all on my own” to a country where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak the language. Mind you, this was amidst the uncertainty and fear we all felt after my home city was invaded by terrorists.

I took the leap and went for it, assuming that I would get a couple of years of international experience under my belt to then return back to “Corporate America” to climb the ladder even further.

At this point, living alone in a foreign country, “being forced” to learn a language and fend for myself in “Corporate Italy” got me to take a lot more risks.

Along with several unforeseen personal challenges / tragedies that occurred along the way, come 2018, I was ready to let go of my crutches to then to “conquer the world.”

What should our readers know about your business?
It was after a year of putting the pieces of my life and career puzzle together that I started my business, Vero, in 2018. I put into a blender all of my strengths, skills and passions, and out came this idea to help small artisan farmers with a unique, exceptional product which was not yet available in the US. After 15 years outside of the country, I felt that the value I could provide is to be a bridge to connect small producers of wine and foods around the world with US businesses and consumers craving authenticity and something real and truly special.

There were a lot of naysayers before I started Vero saying that it would be a waste of time and money importing and selling wines and foods from small farms and wineries. I tried to learn from these people who were discouraging me to move forward with my business idea, trying to figure out a business model which was innovative and more suited to wild and scarce wines and foods. Today we at Vero are 8+ years strong, selling hidden gems of wine and food to businesses and consumers across the US. We haven’t changed our mission and continually get support from our customers to continue our focus on out of the ordinary, farm-made products ripe for discovery.

Along the way, there have been challenge after challenge, from Covid, to supply chain constraints, to inflation, and now tariffs!

The 2 main lessons I learned as CEO to ride these ups and downs are:
1) always listen to your gut
2) take your time during times of indecision.

Do you want to learn more about Vero? Go to www.VeroVino.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on social media @verovinogusto and on Youtube @verovino

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Definitely I’d suggest visiting Bologna, Italy, which has become my home of over 20 years. It has everything going for it: medieval city center, Roman and Etruscan sites as well, food capital of Italy, down to earth people, gorgeous hills and nature surrounding, you name it!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Starting a business (and keeping it going) is probably one of the hardest things to do, and founders need mentors to help guide them and to help them find the courage, strength and wisdom to carry on their mission in the best manner.

Over the past year, sadly, I lost a mentor, and a friend, Helen Gallo Bryan, who lost her fight with ovarian cancer. She was behind me since the beginning of my company. Her passion and spirit live on and I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout to her.

Website: https://verovino.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verovinogusto/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verovinogusto

Twitter: https://x.com/verovinogusto

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verovinogusto/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@verovino

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.