Meet Desiree Harrison-Brown | Wine Educator & Founder of The Wino Shop

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desiree Harrison-Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desiree, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In the last quarter of 2021, I decided to leave my full-time corporate role in the wine industry to pursue my entrepreneurial endeavors. It was a huge risk to leave my salaried position after having been in Los Angeles for four short months, but I knew that with more time and freedom, I would be able to focus more on running The Wino Shop and collaborating with brands. I also had enough saved to give me some peace of mind financially. I believe in taking calculated risks. I have a strong work ethic, so I’ll bet on myself every time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At The Wino Shop, our purpose is simple: to empower you to create a wine lifestyle through thoughtfully designed apparel and curated accessories and to promote wine exploration with every product that we offer. We create unique and modern pieces that appeal to the diverse wine-lover, not the old-school wine snob. The Wino Shop is my way of amplifying the positive representation of the Black community in the wine industry.

I founded The Wino Shop in August 2020 while also building a career as a wine professional and content creator. In 2021, I decided to jump 100% into my entrepreneurial endeavors. Now, in addition to running The Wino Shop, I teach wine certification courses at Napa Valley Wine Academy and collaborate with brands I love on social media.

The journey of entrepreneurship (solopreneurship at that) is definitely not easy. I have had to learn so many skills along the way like negotiating contracts, advocating for myself, photography, website design, etc. Despite the challenges, creating something I’m proud of is so rewarding.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A Dodgers baseball game is a must. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, go to the park, order a hot dog, a few beers, and churros and enjoy the camaraderie.

1010 Wine and Events is a must-visit. It’s the first Black-owned wine bar in Inglewood

Head to The Friend Bar for an eclectic selection of natty wines. After, hop a few steps down the street to Hyperion Public. Get the blueberry wings and have a taste of the East Coast with Salt and Vinegar UTZ chips

Have dinner at Bavel for delicious Mediterranean food. Order a little bit of everything and share with the table. After dinner stop into Death and Co for creative and fun cocktails

Did you really come to LA if you didn’t go to the beach? Pack your beach bag, grab some canned wine and spend the day in Malibu.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so grateful for the community that I have fostered on social media. When I started in the wine industry, I did not know people who worked in wine or wine enthusiasts. Social media was the first place that I found a wine community, especially people of color. The Roots Fund is a non-profit organization that provides wine education scholarships and job opportunities to the BIPOC community. I received a scholarship to take the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Diploma program, a globally recognized wine certification. The organization, mentorship, and community have been pivotal in my wine and entrepreneurial journey.

Website: winonoire.com

Instagram: @winonoire

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/desireehb

Other: thewinoshop.com instagram.com/thewinoshop

Image Credits
Kelsey Edwards, of Eddie Photography and Gaury Verma of Gaury Verma Photo