Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ally Chapman, Founder of The Femme Vine, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Femme Vine is a channel dedicated to connecting modern drinkers with female vintners so everyone can drink more inclusively.
Tell us about yourself
I'm a feminist and passionate wine tourist, so this was a way to combine two of my passions. When traveling to wine regions, I often tried to find female-run vineyards to visit. It felt like Google and tour guides would always fall short. I thought, if I am willing to go to extraordinary lengths to find these women and still have trouble, what about the everyday consumer? That sparked a desire to create a database that anyone could use to find women making incredible wines today.
I want to celebrate every woman - drinker and producer - who owns her/their space in the wine world. I consider the 'Behind the Vine' interviews I run with winemakers to be little pep talks because these women's stories about their journeys into the industry are so inspirational, and I immediately want everyone to know about them. I feel a lot more connected to the wines in my glass simply because I see the passion and backstory of the person behind it. That's a feeling I want to share with more people through my work.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This was a year of 'firsts' for TFV. I hit a major milestone of 100 interviews with 100 female winemakers worldwide and hosted my first in-person wine tasting. Those accomplishments meant the most to me because they showed that women trusted me with their stories and that drinkers wanted to choose who was behind their wine as much as what kind of wine they preferred. The vine is thriving!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Self-doubt. Keeping up with algorithms, generating leads, and comparing your reach with others can make any accomplishment feel insignificant. I try to remember what a winemaker told me once, "People will try to make you feel inferior. What's important is to be focused on who you are and be very proud of your knowledge".
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Leap in! Many mentors are waiting for you with open arms who are eager for more people to come into an industry and create change.
- Don't knock a side hustle. I still have a day job. The Femme Vine started slow. I focused on building an audience, reaching out to women in the industry, and learning from other people and their business models. That time helped me to remain patient and choose where I wanted to focus my energy - only monetizing the brand after 2 years.
- Feed your passions. Feminist wine recommendations can seem niche, but working on The Femme Vine has taught me that when you're passionate about something, you can make your mark and stand fierce in your individuality. It's all waiting for you!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thefemmevine.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefemmevine/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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