Vine-dried by the California Sun

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Gillespie, president, and COO of Life's Grape, located in California, USA.

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

Life's Grape is a multi-generational, family-owned, women-run (mother-daughter) brand that grows, processes, and packages our own grapes in California. My grandparents began growing Thompson Seedless grapes over 35 years ago in Madera, California. Thompson Seedless grapes are the most common raisin variety and are dried on the ground in between the rows. In 2007 we began planting a new variety, the Selma Pete, which dries on the vine, for agricultural sustainability. We are able to grow twice the tonnage using the same amount of water as our previous variety. Our family never particularly liked raisins; however, this grape changed our family's mind and became a preferred snack in our own home. In 2015 we purchased a processing facility to integrate vertically. Once we were able to process our Selma Pete grapes and began handing them out to friends and family, we were asked by everyone, "Where can we buy them?", "I don't like raisins, but these are so much better!" so we decided to integrate again and become a farm-to-table brand vertically. We are on a mission to revamp the raisin and get consumers snacking on delicious 100% whole fruit snacks.

Tell us about yourself

I knew I wanted to join the family business when I was in high school. I received a BS in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I spent many a summer in college at the vineyards to help gain the knowledge to be an asset. Life’s Grape began as I was finishing college. So, upon graduation, I started working with my mom to bring Life’s Grape to fruition. While building a brand has been a challenge, it’s the little moments when someone tries our product and gets a huge smile on their face from pure enjoyment. Its moments like those keep us chugging on to produce a high-quality product. Even if it takes my whole life, my goal is to make everyone smile with every bite.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment was the moment we were accepted into Whole Foods Market. They have high standards for products, and we made the cut and were on the shelf among many of the brands that we used as inspiration. The moment we knew we had something good got us one major step closer to getting into every consumer’s hands!

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

The hardest part of being a business owner is recognizing that not all failures are personal failures. It is hard sometimes to separate personal and professional goals and actions, but having discipline and boundaries helps mitigate the stress.

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

Just do it. There is no great time to start a business, but start small and build up to your goal if you're passionate enough. It is easier to learn along the way as you build rather than wait until all the puzzle pieces are put together before you begin. There are many bigger mistakes at risk at that point, and you've wasted time and valuable lessons while figuring it all out.
Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions. If you are entering an industry that you know little about, find a resource or mentor to answer any questions you may have. It may seem daunting to be the one with lesser knowledge on the subject, but most of the time, you will find they are more than willing to help.
When it comes to growing your business, don't be afraid to think outside the box. The "marketing and sales tactics" that everyone says are foolproof may not work for you. Don't feel defeated. Just start getting creative.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lifesgrape.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifesGrapeSnacks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifesgrapesnacks/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.