And The Winner Is......Copa Di Vino?

By Meg Hodson

Everyone loves a modern day Cinderella story....at least I do.  Cinderella gets to go to the ball and leaves her shoe.  But what if she left her shoe.....twice? And there was no Prince to rescue her and save the day?

Being a small business owner, writer, blogger, and social media consultant, it's refreshing and inspiring to experience a company's ideas becoming reality and succeeding.  

This is a regular occurrence on the popular show Shark Tank.  Most of you have probably heard of the reality show on ABC, but here is a quick run down from the show's site to get you up to speed.

Are all entrereneurs truly a success story if they make the show?  If they get funding from one of the sharks, are they guaranteed to succeed?  If they don't make a deal with the sharks, is there still a chance for success?  If they are on the show twice, does it improve their chances?

We may get a few answer this week.  Viewers will get an update on some of the most successful companies and CEO's from the show when ABC airs their special "Shark Tank: Swimming With The Sharks".  It premieres this Friday, May 2nd, 2014.  The show will feature past Shark Tank presenters.....some who did accept deals, some who did not.  One of the showcased companies will be Copa Di Vino and their charming CEO, James Martin.  

If you're a fan of the show (or maybe you've only watched a few times), the name Copa Di Vino may ring some bells.  They were actually featured on the show twice!  In both appearances, Martin did not accept any deals from the sharks.  

I had the opportunity to visit the winery and meet James recently (you can read my story on Copa Di Vino here).  On my visit, I knew they had been on Shark Tank...but that was all I knew.  I didn't know what was proposed in the first show, I didn't know what the follow-up show was like, and I actually didn't know whether they had made a deal or not.  I didn't want to know too much and intentionally did not Google the story before my visit.  I wanted to experience the winery, this new product, and meeting the people behind the company with a clean slate.  There were no preconceived impressions.  

This idea mirrors perfectly what the panel experiences on Shark Tank.  Although I am sure they are judiciously prepped of some basics before the taping of the show, they essentially have not met the entrepreneurs and are also participating with their own clean slate, so to speak. 

Yet Copa Di Vino made history by coming on the show a second time!  So, the sharks did have some background on the company and had met the CEO before.  Did this change their tactics and how they formulated offers?  Did Martin approach the process different the second time around?  Did it work out for the best that he did not accept an offer again?

I do not know these answers but am anxiously waiting for the premier of the show.  I hope you tune in, too. Be sure to join me and a few friends on Twitter throughout the broadcast (in all time zones) of the show. Simply use the hashtag #insidesharktank.  To chat about Copa Di Vino specifically, use hashtag #discovercopa.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

Copa Di Vino: Small Town Roots, Big Time Dreams

By Meg Hodson

Ahhh, wine.  I might like it just a teensy bit.  For me, writing and wine go hand in hand.  What could be better than sipping your favorite Cabernet as you put your passions to paper (or, in this case, to my blog)? Well, I just so happen to be doing that right now.  I'm writing VERY late and only want one glass of wine. What do I reach for? Copa Di Vino.

The story of Copa Di Vino touched me instantly.  The heart and soul of Copa Di Vino lies in The Dalles, Oregon.  This community with a small town appeal is located in the scenic Columbia Gorge.  Having resided in a comparable town, similar in it's size and sense of community, for 10 years, I immediately connected to the story of the company.  The Copa Di Vino story defines community.  The  story epitomizes what it means to be a family-run company with every intent of staying local, maintaining roots that run seven generations long.  

James Martin, the CEO and driving force behind Copa Di Vino, was faced with a problem.  The Dalles was in a slump; the once bustling town was facing tough economic hurdles.  James, though, made an unofficial pledge to this community to keep his dreams for the company in his hometown.  That is when the decision was made to buy the historic but crumbling Sunshine Mill, right in the heart of The Dalles.  The mill needed a lot of work, but James and his family were devoted to the task of making this the home of Copa Di Vino.

I had the pleasure and opportunity to attend a special event at the Sunshine Mill Winery a few weeks ago. The work and attention to detail the family have put into Sunshine Mill to make it both the new home for Copa Di Vino, yet still keep some of it's vintage elements, shows.  This video sums up perfectly the commitment the family has:

They were able to successfully create a bottling system for Copa Di Vino that maintained the integrity of the wine.  It was no small task, taking 2 years to perfect.  But they were successful, eventually distributing to 44 states.  While offers came in from big companies to "go corporate" with the brand, James and his family kept their faithfulness to The Dalles and continue to cultivate the brand locally.  

It's a story that continues to evolve, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, it might be time to #discovercopa.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

Say Hello To Winemaps.com

I love wine.  On the few chances my husband and I have a chance to get away, we often will choose to visit wineries.  We are spoiled by living in the Willamette Valley near Portland, Oregon, so we have access to many amazing wineries.  Our first anniversary trip was to Napa, California.  

So, when I heard about a new upcoming app involving wineries, I was intrigued.  I love learning about new apps, especially when it's a topic I am excited about.  

WineMaps.com is an interactive travel map that allows consumers to discover, learn and interact with wineries, vineyards, wine bars and events around the world.

You can plan a vacation to the vineyards in Mendocino, discover wineries in Greece, and choose which wine bar to go to in the city or find a wine-related event you should attend. It reminds me a little of Yelp!, but geared completely to wine.

With your phone, you can look for the nearest WineMaps locations, check in to wineries, write reviews and post them to your social networks or map out your own wine tour.

But it's not live yet!  Be the first to get exclusive access to the app by signing up for their newsletter.  It takes just a few moments and you will be all set to use the app as soon as it launches.

How did this great idea start? WineMaps, Inc. "a San Francisco Startup" is funded by a Stay at Home Dad of Two boys; 3yr old Holden, a 1yr old Liam and a loving Wife.  

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

Wine Has Calories!

It's been a long day for my small business and with the kids.  Spring is a busy time in my household:  dance recitals, soccer, increased activities at school and year end activities.  It's also the busiest time of year for my wedding business.  My days are hectic.

A glass of wine (or two) at the end of days like this are a welcoming reprise.  The kids are in bed, I'm settling in for some blogging and a favorite show, and a glass of wine hits the spot.

Well, that glass of wine has "hit the spot" a little too often lately.  As it turns out, wine has calories!  Who knew?  My favorite friend has interrupted my otherwise healthy lifestyle and aim to maintain a healthy weight.

I've struggled with my weight my entire life.  I've always been active and overall a healthy eater.  But life's little problems get in the way.  As a parent, life can be stressful and you put all your effort into your children.  It's easy to forget to carve out that important "me" time that every parent needs.  So, when I haven't carved out the time to go for a run, do yoga, or have an hour of quiet time, wine is usually the answer to take the edge off at the end of a jam-packed day.

It creates a vicious cycle.  When I am doing those things for myself in the first place, the need for "taking the edge off" is maintained by the stress reduction that "me" time and exercise provides.

Easier said than done, right?  We all know what the right foods to eat are, the amount of exercise we should be doing, and the amount of sleep we need.  It's sometimes easier to take the complacent route when satisfying what we as individuals need.  But in the end, we know we need more.  We need and thrive from that balance of our own needs and those of our family.

I have to keep remind myself of this fact.  Some days, let's face it, that "me" time is a shower or reading for 10 minutes.  Other days are better.  I need to stay focused on that fact, that structuring my life around both myself and my family will ultimately be healthier for all of us.

As for wine.....yes, of course, I will continue to enjoy it.  But I will shift my focus back to it being only part of the puzzle of "me time".   Now, where are my running shoes?

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!