Tickles Every Tastebud - Unwined Up North

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tia Marie, Owner of UnWined Up North, located in Grand Rapids, MN, USA.

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

UnWined Up North is a wine bar and restaurant focusing on Minnesota products. We serve over 40 wines from wineries all across the state, allowing customers to taste wine from different wineries in one location. Our customers include locals and tourists, with 70 % of our customers being female. Our demographics are changing as our food has overtaken our drinks in overall sales.

Tell us about yourself

I have been a school teacher since 1990. I first started designing my business on a napkin in late November 2018. It was just a whisper I shared with a few people. The whisper grew in volume as my business plan was finished, and I started looking at buildings in January. Through hard work, we opened in June. Although I had no previous business experience, I listened to people and kept the environment as my focus. I am motivated each day to go to work and help build my business. Keeping my focus in mind, I tweak little things to make my customer's experience the best it can be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment was surviving COVID after only being open 9 months. I had to be very creative, hosting online wine tastings and trivia over Facebook live and Santa outside in igloos, but we built on community support and made it. We also won the Best Wine Bar in our state for 2 years, beating so many of our mentors as a small place in a very small town. I am so proud of UnWined.

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

You are never really off the clock. If someone gets sick or something happens, it falls on you. I have worked many, very long days to keep things running. As a business owner, you also have an internal checkbook that hits really hard on slow days. It is the best thing I have ever done, but it is not for the weak.

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

1. Network, network, network. You are not alone, build and nurture your connections.
2. You will spend twice as much time in the beginning as you think you will. It is worth it and necessary, but get ready for it.
3. Decide who and what you are and stick to your mission. If you decide to try to be everything, you will fail. Be unique. Trust yourself.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://unwinedupnorthmn.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unwinedupnorthgrandrapidsmn/

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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