Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jamie Knee, Founder of Petite Wine Traveler, located in Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Petite Wine Traveler @petitewinetraveler. I am a Sommelier, Wine Educator, Wine Writer, and Wine Host. My customers are people who want to learn about wine in a fun and entertaining way.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Jamie Knee, Aka Petite Wine Traveler. I am a Wine Writer, Wine Educator, and Wine Consultant at Petite Wine Traveler. I am currently based in Santa Barbara, CA, and am excited to work in my home state promoting the Wines of the California Central Coast. I am the Wine Educator and Trade Host for Jackson Family Wines in Santa Barbara County. Additionally, I host wine-tasting experiences in homes, resorts, hotels, restaurants, at sea, and for local businesses as team-building exercises.
In 2020 I launched the annual "California Central Coast Wine Day," observed on the 4th Sunday in October. This day has become a huge hit amongst the wineries of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo, and Paso Robles region, with more wineries signing on annually to participate in the day's festivities. I love to learn about wine and wine regions, and my wine credentials include California Wine Appellation Specialist, American Wine Expert, Certified Specialist of Wine, Wine Spirits Education Trust (WSET), Spanish Wine Scholar, Court of Master Sommelier Level 1, Rioja Wine Educator, Champagne Comité Certification, and Napa Rocks Certification.
I write for my website Petite Wine Traveler and have contributed to several publications, including Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, Vitner Project, Aventura Lifestyles Magazine, Hallandale Digest, and others. I have hosted over 100 Interviews & Tastings with Winemakers around the world. My Wine Judging credentials include The San Francisco Chronicle, The Original Rosé Competition, The American Fine Wine Competition, The California State Fair Wine Competition, The Berliner Wine Trophy, and Alameda County Fair, to name a few. Prior to transitioning to exclusively the Wine Industry, I resided in Miami, Florida, and ran a successful Lifestyle, Food & Wine Marketing Company since 2012.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am very proud that in March 2020, I launched my Virtual Wine Tasting business, "A Taste of the World," with Petite Wine Traveler. This was during the beginning of COVID when wineries, tasting rooms, and wine companies were struggling to bring their brands to their customers because of lockdowns in many cities. Over the 2020-2021 period, I hosted over 100 Winemaker Interviews allowing these Wine Companies to bring their products into customers' homes virtually, thus opening up an entirely new customer base around the world.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
It's hard to offer something to everyone. I'm very interested in teaching and coaching. So I've honed in my business to offer education and tastings to those who are truly interested in learning about wines. I've found quite a bit of success in the corporate world, hosting for resorts, hotels, cruise ships, and in my local community.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, there is no such thing as overnight success. It takes time and perseverance to build a business. Second, when you have had enough and are ready to give up, that's when you are almost there and have to push through it. Lastly, I can never say enough about education and learning, whether that be formal education, books, YouTube, or podcasts. Stay thirsty for knowledge, learn your product, brand, and what's happening out there in the community.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://petitewinetraveler.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petitewinetraveler/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petitewinetraveler/
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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