We had the good fortune of connecting with Raymond James Irwin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raymond James, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to bring something that I loved. Something that had never been brought to the community and what I loved happened to be champagne!

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?
Fizz is a one of a kind champagne & sparkling wine bar. We have more than 100 different champagnes by the bottles and 25 by the glass with champagne flights with names like ” The Baller,” “Champagne in the Membrane.” to make champagne fun and relatable.

We also have a champagne monthly subscription club where champagne is delivered directly to people’s doors once a month – or if they are local they can pick up in stores. We even take club members on guided behind the scenes trips to Champagne, France to learn directly from the wine makers!

We are currently in the process of opening our second location in Walnut Creek, CA

Starting Fizz was not easy – it was my first baby. I had the vision and the passion but it takes a village – friends, mentors, your church community even! I used it all. You can’t be afraid to ask for help and admit when you needed it. If I wouldnt have done that and let my ego get the best of me, we would not be in business for four years.

The biggest thing ive learned, especially surviving in a pandemic…which as a bar or restaurant is not easy, let alone surviving the first year, but I’ve learned you must be flexible! You have to be open to adapt and know when you need to pivot…not away from your concept but perhaps how you operate, run, or get the info out. You also can’t be afraid to be wrong, or make decisions for your business based on ego. It wont work. Lastly, Fizz is successful because I, the owner, am truly passionate about the business and the mission statement of “creating a champagne & sparkling wine revolution.”

If you are not passionate about what you do or what you want to create, it will never be successful or as successful as something you love.

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?
God first and foremost! Grateful for all He has given me! From that, I have gained incredible leadership skills and connections through the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program that brought me to where I am!

Website: fizzinsac.com / Fizzchampagneclub.com

Instagram: @fizzinsac @fizzchampagneclub @fizzwalnutcreek

Facebook: facebook.com/fizzinsac

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.