We recently connected with Abbie Quansah and have shared our conversation below.
Abbie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Thank you and absolutely. Growing up in a very strict household, there were many challenges and experiences that thwarted my confidence and my ability to express myself, but through those challenges, I noticed there was this fire in me that refuses to allow adversity and trauma to take control of my life. In a world often clouded by uncertainty and judgement, it is easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and insecurity. Overtime, I learned the power of gratitude and practiced self-love and healing tactics, instilling a more positive and optimistic mindset.
Life has taught me that opportunities and challenges will inevitably present themselves. I’ve learned to accept reality as is, focus on what I can control, take the appropriate actions, trust my intuition, and let go of things I cannot control. In recent years, I’ve navigated through many challenges in both my professional and personal life while amidst the coronavirus pandemic, political conflicts, economic turmoil, and intermittent worldwide chaos. My resilience stems from my strength of overcoming childhood trauma and past experiences that have equipped me to face new obstacles head-on with hard work, consistency, and many sacrifices.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the first generation born in the USA from Ghanaian and Nigerian parents, but most of my childhood involved moving around from one city and country to the next, which included living in countries such as Ghana, United Kingdom, and Malaysia. My family and I moved back to the USA when I was 9 years old and grew up in New Jersey. I attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia in 2010, then moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania in 2017 and eventually moved to Los Angeles in 2022. At a very young age, I was exposed to a diverse array of cultures, traditions, and art around the world and had the privilege to experience unique differences of human interactions despite moving around a lot as a child. This fueled a passion for travel, and I had found a career that allowed me to live a globetrotting lifestyle. Nevertheless, I have always had an inner spark of creativity and passion for entrepreneurship.
I am the founder of Wine Not Upcycle and when I first started my business in repurposing wine bottles, it was due to the result of enjoying a glass of wine and acknowledging the unique shapes and colors of wine bottles sitting on the table, waiting to be discarded. One day, that moment sparked an idea – why not upcycle the bottles and transform them into something new and beautiful instead of throwing them away? I began the upcycling hobby that contributed to an environmentally sustainable venture by minimizing the carbon footprint and reducing post-consumer waste in the landfill, while also focusing on my full-time job as a clinical researcher. Although this started as a hobby in 2020, it was also a form of therapy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, racial tensions, economic crisis, and personal struggles. Motivation from my loved ones inspired me to take a leap of faith and turn my hobby into a small business. Through many trials and errors, my resilience allowed me to consistently bounce back no matter what and continue to build on my brand.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Empathy: Having empathy for others improves relationship interactions and develops a strong rapport with customers and clients. It helped me understand and connect with others on a deeper level where customers and partners foster trust and loyalty that would be beneficial in the long term. It improves chances of repeated businesses and new opportunities.
Creativity: Showing commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability by focusing on creativity and customization are impactful qualities in this journey. I take pride in my ability to turn waste into one-of-a-kind pieces of art, tailored to customers’ preferences and needs. Whether it is creating custom-designed vases, candle holders, candles, or other glassware, I strive to deliver products that are as individual as my customers and ensure every piece meets high standards for durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
Networking: The cornerstone of my development and growth has been collaborating and networking with potential clients and customers during events, meetings, and travel. I have been fortunate to have met individuals who love the concept of the brand and want to support it in various ways. Working on custom projects with customers has been the essence of trust in my skills and has taught me that fostering trust and open communication is key to a successful partnership.
My advice for those early in their journey is to network and sell yourself. There is a saying by Jay Danzie that goes, “Your smile is your logo; your personality is your business card; how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark”. The link between a logo and a brand is very strong so depending on how well you establish them will determine your level of recognition.
Always remember to smile! Be confident and genuine in your interactions so people feel good after they have left your presence. I have interacted with many people throughout my journey and had pleasant conversations even if some of my connections did not purchase my products at the time. However, some of those people would turn into future customers and would contact me months later requesting large custom orders, inviting me to one of their events to sell my products, or ordering gifts for special occasions or during holiday seasons. Not everyone remembers what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel, so allow your customers to feel comfortable with you and create a positive and inviting environment for them. The more positive impressions you have with potential customers and clients, the more likely they will remember you and your story and will support your journey.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Anyone can be a supplier and we are always collecting bottles and corks from individuals who would drop off their products to us or ship them. We are also looking for partnerships with local wineries and bars to help recycle and repurpose their discarded glassware by collecting raw materials. In addition to collecting raw materials, we would make arrangements that are mutually beneficial with our partners that would use our upcycling services and we would participate in vendor events, host events, partner in giveaways, and more. Our services also include personalization/custom orders so individuals can provide their keepsake bottles/corks to Wine Not Upcycle and we would create sentimental products on their behalf to be kept forever.
We create handmade products and décor for wineries and bars’, such as (custom) drinking glasses and sets, vases, serving plates, bowls, trays, wall décor and art, company brand or wine-themed merchandise, candles, candle holders, centerpieces, and many more eco-friendly products by transforming them into something functionally new for their business.
Interested businesses and potential customers can contact info@winenotupcycle.com for more information.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.winenotupcycle.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/winenotupcycle
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/winenotupcycle
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@winenotupcycle
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@winenotupcycle
Image Credit:
Anthony Mongiello Photography (@anthonymongiello).
