Elite Sommelier - Enotrias

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Melissa Smith, Founder of  Enotrias, located in Sausalito, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services and the creator of the Wine Collecting Master Class. We organize, inventory, and appraise wine collections across the US. I also have the only legal presentation on The Valuation of Wine Collections that I give to Family Law and Trusts and Estates attorneys, so I do a lot of legal and insurance work surrounding wine.

Tell us about yourself

I was originally a classically trained fine dining chef. I had moved to Napa Valley the week I graduated high school to pursue a culinary career but spent days off getting to know as much as possible about wine. I traveled extensively as a chef, and then after spending a few years as a private chef, I decided I'd rather get paid to drink for a living, so I pursued my sommelier certification through The Court of Master Sommeliers.

I ended up landing a position at K&L Wine Merchants, where I grew from a floor sales position to the Head Sommelier for the company. We would often get inquiries for people that could inventory and appraise wine collections, and I jumped at the opportunity. I have since been able to turn it into a full-time career, and I absolutely love what I do. I never stop learning.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating the Wine Collecting Master class is my biggest accomplishment. I took over a decade of experience, exposure, and certifications and put them all into this 12-part course. Everything, including the tools that I use for inventorying hundreds of collections, was added to it. It is evergreen content, so no matter what stage people are in on their wine-collecting journey, this will add massive value.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Adulting! Making sure that accounting is in line, that you have proper insurance, that you have contracts in place, and a great legal team when anything arises (i.e., client's avoiding paying their bills).

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Create a reputation through media features. It takes a lot of work, but once that content is live, it gives you so much credibility with potential clients and customers.
2. Be kind. The world can be a small place, and you want as many supporters as possible in your venture, even if they are not in your target demographic.
3. Have a polished website and online presence. Oftentimes a website is the first opportunity to make a great impression. Same with whichever social media platforms you are using to promote your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.enotrias.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enotriassommelierservices/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winechef/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/enotrias
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themelissasmith/

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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