Show Notes: KimOrlesky.com/6 “The first thing we did was ask lots of questions.” - Michael Houlihan (click to tweet)

How do you start a business? Having an idea doesn’t mean you know what to do next! In fact, getting started is often much, much harder than the initial concept.

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, co-founders of Barefoot Wine, are here to talk about what they did to get started after purchasing their first vineyard. They’re full of advice on the importance of asking questions, getting to know the whole production process, and keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive as your company expands.

We’re also getting into how to know when you’re ready to start selling a product, and what to do when mistakes happen.

Bonnie and Michael have written books and courses full of insights for fellow entrepreneurs.  I’m so pleased to have them here to talk with me. No matter how big or small your business is, you won’t want to miss out on these two experts!

“When you sell the product you think you’re done but no, that’s when your job really starts” (click to tweet) Bulletpoints

• Get as much information on your customers as possible. Barefoot researched who their target market was, in what context they would be purchasing wine, and for what purpose.
• Start out by asking lots of questions. Bonnie and Michael talked to everyone involved in the entire production process to figure out what people thought could be improved.
• You don’t need a lot of money to get good marketing. Barefoot didn’t have the budget to advertise on traditional venues like radio and internet, so they started supporting local charities.
• When companies get bigger and have more departments, it’s easy to lose track of the entrepreneurial spirit and what the end goal is: sales.  
• Be transparent with your employees. They’re working in the field and often have great ideas on how to address problems, and can see issues arising before management does.
• Work with everyone along the line to help them achieve their goals. If you’re not working with people along the distribution line, you’re never going to get the product to your end consumer.
• You’re in a constant state of improvement. Start working and accept that you will make mistakes, and then change and adjust when you do.
• Build relationships first. Before you even try to sell anything, establish a relationship with the client or the distributor or retailer.
• Start small in your business. Learn your lessons in a small area and get your mistakes out there before you expand and take your business on the road.

Links:

TheBarefootSpirit.com

Books:

The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America's #1 Wine Brand

The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People

Online Courses

The Entrepreneur's Guided Principles for Success

Show Notes: KimOrlesky.com/6