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

Hi Monique, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In the midst of the pandemic’s uncertainty, the Pour Up wine emerged as a testament to passion, opportunity, and the desire for independence. Founded by my sister Angela and I. The notion of collaborating with my sister emerged from our father’s desire for us to strengthen our bond, transcending the decade-wide age difference between us! Both entrepreneurs at heart, the pandemic provided the perfect backdrop for us to join forces and embark on a venture that would bring us closer together. The Pour Up focuses on having a good time while drinking wine, having meaningful conversations, not worrying if you’re pairing your wine correctly or worrying if you’re holding your wine glass right. We are relaxed, we have fun, we pour up!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

In my current 9-5 life, I am an Assistant Manager for Senior Housing, however, I went to FIDM (Fashion School) in San Francisco and graduated with a Visual Communications Degree. Upon graduation, I was a freelance fashion stylist and a Visual Merchandiser for retail stores. In 2011, I got hired to work as an Office Assistant for the Contra Costa Housing Authority and have been working in the low income housing industry ever since. At that time, I was a full-time single mom and needed a permanent job to be able to take care of my daughter and me.
A lesson I have learned is, don’t get too comfortable with a job that you forget about your dreams. Work towards that dream while you are working. It took me 9 years to put myself first instead of my full-time job.
While I am still working a full time job, my sister and I started a wine company 3 years ago called The Pour Up and now we are getting ready to open the first wine bar in Antioch, CA!
I want people to know that they can do whatever they desire. If you love it, it will never feel like work! 

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?

I would definitely invite everyone to visit The Pour Up Wine Bar for a glass of delicious wine in Antioch, CA. Opening date TBD in early 2024!
As far as food, I love trying new bars and restaurants around the Bay Area. My favorite local restaurant is Mikuni in Concord, Ca. I also love a good wine bar. Other than The Pour Up Wine Bar (coming soon), I like Vine & Grain in Brentwood and The Library in Walnut Creek, CA.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A HUGE thank you goes out to Fern Stroud of Black Vines and the whole Black Vines Team! We owe much of our current success to them; their unwavering encouragement and genuine desire for the success of us and our fellow wine partners have been invaluable. As we step into this new venture of opening a wine bar, their immense support has been a guiding force, and we are grateful for the collaborative journey we’ve undertaken together thus far! Cheers to y’all! 

Website: www.thepourupwine.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepourupwine/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepourupwine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePourUpWine

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