We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started South LA Wine Club, it initially was to find like minded people to drink wine with. I started a Meetup group on a whim and didn’t think past that. But as I started to get hundreds of followers I realized there’s an actual need and demand to have wine be more accessible. That’s what pushed me to make SLAWC a bonafide business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have two career passions, healthcare and wine. In my healthcare life I’m the Chief Nursing Officer of Worksite Labs, a innovative new healthcare startup. In my role with Worksite Labs my team and I built new healthcare operations from the bottom up, including a community site right in South LA. My joy comes from furthering my goals of equity and access, both in wine/beverage and in healthcare.

I’m most proud that I came to the conclusion a few years ago that I don’t want to choose one path or the other, resources are abundant enough and my schedule permits me to sustain both pursuits. This was definitely not easy, I’m typically a risk averse person so taking a leap of faith to change careers was daunting.

I was also fortunate enough to start a wine collaborative, Juneteenth Saber Celebration, with some of my closest sisters in wine. Since 2020, we’ve provided free wine and education through virtual and in-person activities right in Leimert Park.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eating and Drinking : Alta West Adams, Post and Beam, M’Dears, Pasta Sisters, Cara Cara rooftop , The Friend Bar, Bolita, wine tasting with Centralas wine at their home farfm

Other activities: Crane’s Comedy in downtown LA, hiking/walking at Kenneth Hahn and Stocker trail, hanging in the backyard with drinks, music and dancing!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
– Paul Charles of Charles Wine Company, a SoCal based black winemaker, he was the first person I talked to about SLAWC and if it was a good idea. He encouraged me and guided me in the initial phases, and I can call on him as a mentor to this day

– My fiancé Trevor, who has showed up for me in countless ways and supported me

– My wine family that I’ve met in this journey; Belen, Gigi, Courtney, Adam, Wendy, My JSC family – Roxy, Nicky, Chevonne and Alicia, and many more

Website: southlawineclub.com

Instagram: southlawineclub

Other: Juneteenth saber celebration

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