Podcast Summary
The McBride Sisters' journey to building a successful winemaking business: Building a successful business requires hard work, determination, the right team, a strong company culture, personalized service, empathy, and the use of technology to increase productivity and better serve customers.
Building a successful business requires a lot of hard work, determination, and the right team. This was evident in the story of the McBride Sisters, who turned their life savings into a winemaking business and revolutionized the industry. Another important takeaway is the value of company culture and creating an environment that fuels growth. Insparity, a leading HR provider, can help businesses build a culture aligned with their goals. Additionally, Amica, a customer-owned insurance company, emphasizes the importance of personalized service and empathy in their business model. Lastly, technology, such as Atlassian's AI-powered software, can help teams accomplish what would otherwise be impossible alone, leading to increased productivity and better results for customers.
The Power of Passion and Determination in Building a Successful Business: Follow your passion and mission, even when faced with significant challenges, to build a successful business.
With Masterclass, you can learn from the best in the world and improve yourself, with over 200 classes available on various topics. The McBride Sisters, despite having no real connection to the wine industry, limited resources, and being young women of color, started one of the biggest black-owned wine companies by following their passion and mission. They initially aimed to import wine and learn the business, starting with a federal importer's license, which cost them their total life savings. This story illustrates the power of passion, determination, and a clear mission in building a successful business, even when faced with significant challenges. Masterclass and American Express Business Gold Card can help you learn new skills and grow your business, respectively.
Determined founders' naivety leads to unexpected success in wine industry: Naive founders, through persistence and cold-calling, secured licenses and sold wine to top restaurants, defying industry protocols and rules.
Determination and naivety can lead to unexpected successes, even in highly regulated industries. The founders of a wine import business, despite their lack of experience and age, managed to secure licenses and sell wine to top restaurants in Los Angeles and San Francisco by cold-calling and persisting, unaware of the established protocols. Their New Zealand accent did not help them, but their boldness and persistence made them seem legitimate to potential buyers. The process of importing wine involved negotiating long payment terms, obtaining licenses, and storing the wine in federally bonded warehouses. The founders' optimism and disregard for rules allowed them to gain access to prestigious accounts, demonstrating that sometimes breaking the rules can lead to unconventional success.
Breaking into a traditional industry as a young, woman of color: Persist and learn from mistakes to offer unique, high-quality products and secure notable accounts in competitive industries.
Breaking into an industry as a young, woman of color, with little experience and knowledge, can be challenging, especially when the industry is traditional and closed off. The speaker's accent and youth added to the surprise and skepticism from potential clients and industry professionals. However, they persisted and learned from their mistakes, such as not understanding restaurant service hours. Ultimately, their determination and the unique offerings of their New Zealand wines, which were well-timed and high-quality, helped them secure their first notable account. The journey involved a lot of rejection and hustle, but they saw each experience as a learning opportunity. When competing against established and expensive wines, the key is to offer something new and high-quality, and to persist in introducing it to sommeliers and customers.
Transforming the wine industry through community and accessibility: The founders of this winery saw potential in democratizing the wine experience and delivering high-quality products to a wider audience, despite financial challenges.
The founders of this winery saw the wine industry as an opportunity to cultivate community and make wine accessible to more people, while still delivering a high-quality product. They started by focusing on the premium end of the market, but soon realized the potential of democratizing the wine experience. They paid close attention to the wine-making process to ensure quality, even at a lower price point. Their ultimate goal was to eventually produce their own wine, but the financial crisis of 2008 accelerated their plans by allowing them to purchase surplus wine from New Zealand and bring it to the US market. Through their efforts, they were able to provide a high-quality wine experience to a wider audience, transforming the industry and leading by example.
Pivoting during a crisis through strategic partnership: During an economic crisis, consider strategic partnerships to leverage resources and focus on your unique strengths to pivot and build a successful business.
During the economic crisis, Robin and I saw an opportunity to pivot our struggling business by starting a wine company. With limited cash, we sought a strategic partnership with the New Zealand Wine Company, allowing us to leverage their infrastructure while we focused on sourcing and producing wine with a distinct flavor profile. For years, we had been honing our skills and knowledge in New Zealand, specifically in the Huarau and Awatiri Valleys, to create a tropical-spectrum wine. Our partnership enabled us to bring this vision to life, and in 2009, we released our first wine under the EcoLove brand. This strategic move not only helped us survive the economic crisis but also allowed us to thrive by focusing on our strengths and building a successful business.
Determining the right time for grape harvest based on taste and quality: Winemakers rely on initial grape tasting to determine optimal harvest time and expand their customer base through supplier diversity programs.
The taste and quality of wine come primarily from the grape skin, and winemakers rely on their senses and experience to determine the optimal time for harvest. During the production process, they have limited control, making the initial grape tasting a crucial step. Wine grapes are sweeter than table grapes due to the sugar content needed for alcohol production. In the early stages of their business, the founders personally sold their wine to restaurants and retailers, but a major breakthrough came when they were introduced to supplier diversity programs in large corporations, which helped them expand their customer base significantly.
Wine industry shifts during recession and offers opportunities for growth: Despite challenges, the wine industry provided opportunities for growth and partnerships for The Sisters' Wines during the recession. They found the agricultural side welcoming and collaborative, while dealing with business gatekeepers was different. A partnership with Diageo allowed them to expand without losing control.
The wine industry, despite being in a recession or facing gatekeepers and pretentiousness, has provided opportunities for growth and partnerships for smaller businesses like The Sisters' Wines. During the financial crisis between 2009 and 2011, the consumption of wine shifted from restaurants to homes, making it a relatively stable industry. However, the agricultural and winemaking side of things has a more open and collaborative community, while dealing with business gatekeepers, distributors, and retailers can be quite different. The Sisters' Wines encountered both welcoming and dismissive winemakers but found the agricultural side to be more open and generous with information. Their partnership with Diageo in 2015 allowed them to expand their reach and grow their business without having to raise significant capital, while still maintaining control over their intellectual property. Overall, the wine industry, though it has its challenges, has provided opportunities for growth and collaboration for The Sisters' Wines.
Learning to Stay True to Your Vision: Even when considering partnerships with larger companies, it's crucial to stay true to your unique business vision. If necessary, be prepared to take bold steps to make it a reality.
Having a clear and unique vision for your business is crucial, even when considering partnerships with larger companies. The speakers, Robin McBride and André Hueston Mack, learned this lesson the hard way when they tried to bridge the gender gap in the wine industry through a partnership with Diageo. Despite the potential benefits, they realized that aligning politically within the strategic partnership was too difficult, and they needed to create their own brand, McBride Sisters, to achieve their goals. This meant taking a leap of faith and figuring out how to make it happen on their own, even without the initial financial resources. Ultimately, their unwavering passion and strong vision paid off, leading to a life-changing deal with Kroger. So, stay true to your vision, and if necessary, be prepared to take bold steps to make it a reality.
Launching a business with limited resources and skepticism: Determination, resilience, creativity, and support are essential for turning an idea into a successful business, especially for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Starting a business from scratch, especially for underrepresented entrepreneurs, can be a daunting and complex process. Sisters Robin and Andrea McBride faced this reality when they launched their independent wine company, McBride Sisters Wines, in 2016. They had a buyer from Kroger interested in stocking their wine, but they didn't have the resources to produce 25,000 cases in just six months. They had to quickly find wineries, negotiate contracts, and even find grapes and a facility to make their wine. With no significant investment and facing skepticism due to their race, they had to convince people to trust them and work with them. Despite the challenges, they managed to launch their brand and meet their deadline. This story highlights the determination, resilience, and creativity required to turn an idea into a successful business. It also underscores the importance of support and community, as the sisters leaned on each other and their network to make their dream a reality.
McBride Sisters' Success Story: Building Relationships and Seizing Opportunities: Building strong relationships, having a unique brand, and seizing opportunities can lead to rapid success in business. The McBride Sisters used their existing connections, a successful track record, and a major retailer's support to enter the wine industry and become the number one new brand in Kroger's stores.
The McBride Sisters' quick entry into the wine industry, which involved securing contracts with major retailers like Kroger within 90 days, was made possible by their existing relationships, a successful track record, and the support of a major wine retailer. They had to put in extra effort, including losing weight and hair, but they made the deadline and saw great success. Their unique packaging and quality wines helped them become the number one new brand in Kroger's stores by the end of 2017. A turning point came in 2018 when they were invited to sponsor the Essence Festival and created the popular "Black Girl Magic" wine to celebrate the empowerment and achievements of black women. The McBride Sisters' story demonstrates the importance of building relationships, having a strong brand, and seizing opportunities to succeed in business.
Black Girl Magic Wines finds success during pandemic with direct-to-consumer sales: The founders of Black Girl Magic Wines leveraged their e-commerce platform and daughter's digital marketing expertise to increase revenue during the pandemic, providing a celebratory and inclusive space for the Black community in the wine industry.
The founders of Black Girl Magic Wines, Robin McBride and Andrea McBride, saw a significant response to their brand at the Essence Festival and realized the importance of representation and high-quality wines for Black women. They had started building their e-commerce platform before the pandemic hit, but when it did, they shifted their focus to direct-to-consumer sales, and their daughter's expertise in digital marketing proved crucial. Despite initial doubts, she successfully increased revenue through online sales, saving the company during the crisis. Additionally, the wine industry has historically overlooked the Black community, and Black Girl Magic Wines aims to change that by providing a celebratory and inclusive space.
A black-owned winemaker's success during pandemic and racial justice protests: During challenging times, digital marketing and community support can help underrepresented businesses significantly grow their revenue
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial justice demonstrations in 2020, a black-owned winemaker was able to significantly grow her business through digital marketing and community support. With the help of Instagram and Facebook ads, she increased her revenue from 5,000 to over 200,000. The moment of opportunity came during Blackout Tuesday when she decided to shine the light on other black-owned wineries and vineyards, leading to a massive increase in sales and distribution. This success story highlights the power of community and the importance of supporting underrepresented businesses during challenging times. Despite facing numerous obstacles throughout the past 15 years, this winemaker is now a significant player in the wine industry in America.
Founders' vision of creating a welcoming wine business for diversity: Founders prioritize their personal mission over potential acquisition offers, aiming to establish a welcoming space for underrepresented groups in the wine industry
The founders of this wine business, driven by their optimism and big dreams, aim to establish their own vineyards, tasting room, and training place to promote diversity in the wine industry. They envision a welcoming space for women and people of color to learn and grow. Although they may be approached by large companies for acquisition due to their market desirability and fast growth, they prioritize preserving their personal names and brands' missions. Their father, who came from humble beginnings and dreamed big, would be proud of their accomplishments.
The McBride Sisters' journey to success in the wine industry: Through hard work, intelligence, recognizing opportunities, and a clear vision for the future, the McBride Sisters achieved remarkable success in the wine industry and continue to give back to their community.
The McBride Sisters, Andrea and Robin, attribute their success in the wine industry to their hard work, intelligence, and the ability to recognize opportunities. They believe that their family's history and the struggles of their ancestors have inspired them to dream big and strive for success. They also emphasize the importance of being prepared and ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Their latest venture, the She Can collection of canned wines, is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and their commitment to giving back to their community by supporting small businesses owned by black women. The sisters' journey is a reminder that hard work, intelligence, and a clear vision for the future can lead to remarkable achievements.
Exploring the 'what-ifs' in sports and entertainment history: Small decisions in the past can have major impacts on the present, and podcasts like 'Alternate Routes' and 'The Big Flop' explore these 'what-ifs' and the fun of being a fan.
Small decisions in sports and entertainment history can have significant impacts on the present day. For instance, if Drew Brees had passed his physical with the Dolphins and played under Nick Saban, the NFL landscape could have looked drastically different. Meanwhile, in the world of reality TV, shows like "The Swan" provide examples of grand failures that leave us questioning the decision-making process. In their new podcast, "Alternate Routes," Tri Wingo and Kevin Frazier explore these what-ifs and the excruciating fun of being a sports fan. Meanwhile, on "The Big Flop" podcast, host Misha Brown and comedian guests examine the biggest pop culture fails, including "The Swan," and try to answer the age-old question of who thought these ideas were good in the first place. Ultimately, these podcasts remind us that the road to success is often paved with unexpected twists and turns.
