We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly Spratt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
One tool that’s enabled me to be successful is being able to speak about my product and my business with confidence. Even in situations where I don’t feel confident or feel like I belong, I remember that our differences are what makes us special and unique. Embracing my uniqueness is the best strategy for gaining success. Being in a white, male dominated industry can be intimidating but believing in myself and my product is all the motivation I need to move past those fears and strive for success.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Della W Wines is an online wine and wine accessories brand that I started in 2020. The business started out of a passion for wine. My love for wine started in 2008 while on a study abroad trip in south France. After college, I pursued a career in accounting and finance all while my passion for wine was growing. I made a hobby of travelling around the world to participate in wine tastings and learn about the different wines. In 2018, I decided to turn this passion into a business. After two years of research and planning, Della W Wines was born. Della W Wines officially launched, and operations began in June 2021.
Della W Wines wines’ are produced in prestigious vineyards in Napa, CA and surrounding areas. Carefully cultivated, selected, and produced from the finest grapes these proprietary wines have fresh bold flavors. The Della W wines have unique tasting profiles curated by the owner to deliver the finest tasting experience for any occasion.
Della W Wine Accessories is the newest extension of the Della W Wine brand. The accessories line includes a luxury wine box, an electric opener/ stopper set, and wine glass set. These beautifully designed accessories complement our collection of wines.
Della W Wines products can be purchased online at dellawwines.com.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three skills that were impactful in my journey were having a general knowledge about business and starting a business, knowledge about finances and budgeting and knowledge about the wine and wine tasting profiles. I can thank my MBA for giving me the knowledge about how to start a business, budgeting and forecasting. Starting a business can be intimidating because you may not know where to start. I started by researching the industry and understanding the cost. The second part of my skill set was understanding what I was selling. From my research and many years of wine tasting I knew the type of wine that I wanted to sell, and I knew what types of wine drinkers I wanted to target. I attended an industry trade show where I met many people who worked in all different areas of the industry. From there, I was able to determine how I was going to make the wine. Then, I started creating a plan and goals which included how I was going to fund the business, how I was going to make the wine, and how I was going to sell my wine.
After two years of researching, planning, and saving, I invested the first dollar into my business.
Here’s some advice I have for entrepreneurs staring a business:
1. Do research on the industry you are entering and read industry reports. Also try to attend trade shows and talk with people in the industry about your ideas and what you we want to accomplish. You can gain a lot of knowledge just by talking to people who are doing what you want to do.
2. Determine your costs, research how much it will cost you for licenses, products, supplies and materials, renting a store front, marketing, ect.
3. Write a business plan and write down your goals. Being able to refer to a document with your ideas can help you stay on track, and you navigate through your journey as a business owner.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My number one challenge is work/life balance. I had a baby one year after starting my business and it has been a challenge creating a healthy balance with taking care of my family and prioritizing my business. Being a “mompreneur” is no easy feat. To overcome this obstacle I have tried to doing a better job of planning. The same way I plan the week out for my family, I do the same for my business. I create weekly/monthly goals for myself. Writing them down week by week works bet for me. Being realistic about those goals is important because my days, weeks, and months are not all the same. I must be able to be realistic about what I can accomplish within a given time frame. I am constantly learning and growing and trying to do my best to be present for my family all while chasing my dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dellawwines.com
- Instagram: @della_w_wines
- Facebook: @dellawwines
Image Credits
Willie Spratt
