Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brett Kane, Owner of Wineography, located in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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

I am a wine & spirits educator and storyteller. My clients range from corporations to individuals. I specialize in teaching people how to feel comfortable learning about and pairing wines, spirits, and beer with food, friends, and/or clients. Whether in a corporate setting or across the dinner table, a little bit of education goes a long way, and the process should be fun, informative, and not stressful.

Tell us about yourself

Over twenty years ago, I fell into the restaurant business in my early twenties, moonlighting a few nights a week to make extra money as I started a career in marketing/advertising. I then pivoted completely, running restaurants as a GM and Wine Director, then working for a wine & spirits distributor in sales management before transitioning to working directly for winemakers and spirits suppliers.

Wineography started after a few friends and businesses asked me to educate them and their employees on wine basics at the end of sales meetings to lighten the mood. I realized there was a niche market to help educate others in a fun, informal setting while sharing stories of winemakers, spirits, beer, and food pairings.

For sales teams, we also discuss costs to consider when in a restaurant, how to tackle different types of beverage menus, and how to choose for a group with confidence. Helping people realize that wine, spirits, and beer are not as complicated as they first appear; lets them enjoy the journey a lot more.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have two stories. Transitioning to online formats during the pandemic was something that seemed daunting at first. But I was particularly proud to pull off a national sales meeting for 75 people in 24 different states. Every person was virtual, and I helped the company put together and locate the wines I chose for the group in each state. We put together food pairing packets as well. Everyone had everything they needed, and we had a lot of fun learning about wines from around the world with a terrific presentation to accompany the pairings.

The other story was about a 50th birthday party. The personal chef canceled at the last minute, so I ended up putting together a pairing menu and cooking the five-course meal for a group of 12 close friends. I'm not a trained chef, but I knew enough to get it done on a professional level, and it was really satisfying to make sure the client's birthday was a resounding success, whatever it took.

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

It is hard when you don't land the client after the pitch. Losing potential corporate clients affects your pocketbook, many times through no fault of your own. But your success rate will never be 100%. You have to keep putting yourself out there. Keep networking, pushing forward, and finding new clients.

In my business, because it is a specialty, it can be feast or famine. You have to ride the waves and not sink when a potential client goes in a different direction, and that helps build a larger client base and more consistency in landing jobs. The pandemic taught a lot of lessons when dealing with corporate customers and the challenges they faced from their end as the landscape and their budgets changed from month to month. Keep adapting to the changes.

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

  1. Flexible planning will help you succeed, so have short-term and long-term goals.
  2. Do not be afraid to fail or make mistakes. Growth comes from handling adversity and will aid your company's development by identifying failures as well as successes. You will be your worst critic, but don't forget to be your biggest champion.
  3. Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice from trusted sources, whether it's a financial review, a creative wall you cannot seem to break, or an introduction to a potential client you seek. As I once read, walls aren't always there to impede your path; they are sometimes there to help you rest and regroup before taking the next step. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason and your trusted circle can help you break through any roadblocks.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://wineographyconsulting.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wine.o.graphy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-kane-3376a36/

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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