Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Dunlop, Co-Founder of Good Clean Wine, located in Springfield, MO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Good Clean Wine is delicious, minimal-intervention wine made without added sugar or sulfites, dye, extra flavor, acids, or proteins. Our wine is sustainably made with love in Italy. Our customers are casual wine drinkers who just want an easy glass of wine to enjoy on special occasions or on a regular Wednesday evening after work. Because our wine is low sugar and low carb, we have a lot of clients who are professional dancers, fitness instructors, yogis, nutritionists, marathon runners, and more.
Tell us about yourself
I started in magazines as a beauty, health, and fitness editor. My business partner and I opened a spa and skincare retail boutique where we would serve our clients clean, delicious wine from Europe. Pretty soon, we realized we were fielding as many questions about wine as we were about moisturizer. We found that the casual wine drinker found shopping for wine confusing and intimidating. It shouldn't be that way! Wine is joy. I am motivated every day by the positive reviews, comments, texts, and messages we get from clients all over the country who love our wine and never want to drink anything else. It makes all the struggles worth it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We do not have outside funding. Alcohol is a notoriously difficult industry due to all the regulations, laws, extra fees, and paperwork involved. It's expensive and complicated, but we've grown all on our own, and I am very proud of that. No celebrities, no fancy investor cash, no connections. Through pure grit, resilience, and a love of wine, we have managed to create a business that is growing every month.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
My business partner and I run the company without any employees, so we have to be everything to everyone. We bounce between administrative work, marketing, sales, and event planning on a daily basis. It can be exhausting, but it's all par for the course. At least we have unlimited access to clean, delicious wine.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If you can start your business as a side hustle before fully jumping in, it will give you a chance to see if it's a viable idea and interesting enough to keep you motivated. It can be stressful working two jobs at the same time, but it's a great way to hedge your bets.
- Take care of yourself. It is so easy to lose yourself in endless day-to-day tasks. If you have to put on an away message and take a week off, do it. Your business will still be there when you get back. Take a long walk without your phone. Avoid sugar. Watch a funny movie.
- Don't ever join an MLM. They are predatory; no matter what the recruiter says, you are not running your own business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://goodclean.wine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodcleanwine/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodcleanwine
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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