Meet Stephanie Hawkins

We were lucky to catch up with Stephanie Hawkins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Like most kids, I was always looking for ways to experiment and explore. I was lucky to have access to a wide range of classes at our community center, and I took full advantage of it. Tumbling? Sure, why not. Cooking class? Let’s do it. Figure skating? Absolutely! Constant encouragement from my parents and grandparents to try something new—even if just for a few weeks—instilled a habit I’ve never been able to shake: ‘Just try it.’ If you like it, great—keep going. If not, no big deal—at least now you know.

Many of those classes were one-and-done, like gymnastics, but the mindset stuck with me. As I got older, my “just try it” risks got bigger—like moving 1,200 miles away to grad school in New Mexico or leaving a steady career path to start my own business.

But risk-taking isn’t just about jumping in blindly. The second part of my approach is: ‘There’s always a way.’ Over time, I’ve learned to assess risks more strategically—researching, planning, and building support systems to make bold moves less daunting and more exciting. The thrill of risk is still there, but experience has taught me how to manage it wisely.

Of course, I still sign up for the occasional random pottery class—some habits never fade!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hi, I’m Stephanie Hawkins, founder and owner of Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours, a beverage tour and event company based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I curate and guide wine tasting tours, sightseeing tours, and customized events that showcase the incredible flavors and history of southern New Mexico and El Paso, TX.

For years, I had dreamed of starting my own business, but wasn’t financially ready to take the leap. Then, in 2023, a few things shifted (bye-bye student loans!). As soon as that door opened, I ran for it! Or at least that’s what it felt like. I launched Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours in August 2023, and since then, I’ve been growing steadily, connecting with amazing local businesses and creating unforgettable experiences for my guests.

Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours has turned into the perfect blend of my favorite things: meeting new people, sharing my love for Las Cruces, and sunny afternoons. What makes this business truly special to me is the opportunity it creates for my guests to experience and appreciate the region in a new way.

The Mesilla Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), nestled between Las Cruces, NM, and El Paso, TX, is a lesser-known wine region, but one with deep history, passionate winemakers, and unique flavors. This is where Spanish priests first planted wine grapes in the 1620s—long before Napa Valley was even a thought.

Beyond wine, I love creating memorable experiences, whether it’s a bachelorette party, a private birthday celebration, or a casual afternoon of sightseeing and wine tasting. And I’m always expanding! Right now, I’m excited to offer private charter van services for small groups, making it easier than ever to enjoy a customized tour with friends and family. I’ve also launched a Margarita Tour featuring tequila, mezcal, and sotol tastings, plus some of the best margaritas in town.

At the heart of it all, I want my guests to have fun, discover something new, and walk away with great memories. Whether you’re a wine lover, or just looking for a unique way to explore southern New Mexico, I’d love to show you around!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Before starting this journey, I was a museum curator and educator. I’d never run a business. But I had worked with budgets, grants, and copywriting. I had experience speaking in public and creating basic marketing campaigns. So many of my past experiences were transferable and have become invaluable in running my business.

Understanding that led to one of the most important lessons I’ve learned – trusting myself. My knowledge, research, abilities, and experience are the foundation of every decision I make. When I was starting Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours, I felt like I was waiting for someone to give me permission, or tell me I was doing it right – but no one had done this here before. It’s easy to second-guess yourself but at some point, I have to trust that I know what I’m doing or at least that I can figure it out.

Finally, I try to stay flexible. I’m willing to learn something new or pivoting in a new direction. I try not to say no to new opportunities. When I launched my business, I had a vision for what I wanted, but I also had to adapt to what my clients wanted, what the market can handle, and what the wineries were willing to do.

My advice to someone just getting started is don’t underestimate the skills you’ve already built. Whether it’s customer service, organization, problem-solving, or creativity, almost everything can be applied in new ways. Start with an inventory of your strengths and experiences, then think about how that will support your next steps. And if you don’t know, be willing to learn.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe in leaning into my strengths, but I also think it’s just as important to have a basic understanding of areas where I’m not as strong. Confidence in what I do well allows me to step up when it matters, but having even a little knowledge in other areas helps me ask the right questions, recognize when I need help, and collaborate more effectively.

I’m not an expert in everything, but I make it a point to do my homework on subjects outside my comfort zone. Whether it’s marketing, accounting, or website design, knowing just enough allows me to anticipate challenges and better support the people who are experts in those areas. If I can communicate clearly and understand what they need from me, we can work together more efficiently—and that makes all the difference.

When I first started my business, I had little bookkeeping experience, but I knew I needed to learn the basics. I researched different programs, talked to a couple of experts, and watched tutorials online. Now, when I meet with my tax preparer or a bookkeeper, I have an idea of what they’ll ask for and why.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that