National Black Business Month at The Greenhouse
The Greenhouse joins in the national effort to acknowledge, appreciate, and uplift black business owners in our community. For National Black Business Month, we are excited to highlight black business owners who have participated in Greenhouse-affiliated cohort programs.
Stephanie Love, the owner of Epicurious One, participated in The Goal Achievement Program (GAP) in July 2022. GAP is a collaboration between The Greenhouse and Pinellas County SCORE. This 8-week program is specifically designed to help business owners create goals, build on their success, and develop an execution system to “get it done!”
Meet Stephanie Love with Epicurious One
GH: Tell us a little about yourself and your business!
SL: I am a certified wine educator through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). I have been in the wine industry for nearly 20 years, starting out in Hospitality and Service. It was during my time working at Vino Venue and the Atlanta Wine School that I fell in love with wine education and realized that was the area I wanted to focus on.
GH: What inspired you to start your business?
SL: The desire to see people learn about wine in a safe yet fun environment inspired me to start my business. I know that wine can be intimidating, but it truly is for everyone and is meant to be enjoyed by everyone.
GH: What advice would you give to others who are looking to grow their business?
SL: I would say do your research by finding local entrepreneur organizations like The Greenhouse, SBA, SCORE, etc. These organizations can help you save time and money by offering guidance and support for your entrepreneurial journey. They also provide you with guidance on how to turn your idea into a viable business. Also, the road to entrepreneurship can be hard and lonely. So, the networking and counseling these organizations offer is invaluable.
GH: Please describe your experience in The Goal Achievement Program. Would you recommend the program to others?
SL: GAP helped me break down my goals into small, bite-sized chunks I could handle over several weeks and provided accountability to get each piece done. As I saw myself achieving the smaller components of my goals, it gave me confidence and a sense of accomplishment. In the end, when I saw I had accomplished all but two of my goals, I was blown away. I used the lessons I learned in GAP to help me complete the two goals I had left, along with new ones. The overarching lesson I learned in GAP is that if I don’t take my business seriously and take on realistic goals for my business, no one is going to do it for me. Once I started taking my business seriously, serious business opportunities started to come my way.
GH: Why do you think National Black Business Month is important?
SL: For me, every month is Black Business Month. I am a black business owner and I intentionally support other black businesses throughout the year. However, National Black Business Month is important because we receive less than 10% of all available capital, yet black women are specifically the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs. National Black Business Month shines a light on the fact that we are here, and we are doing incredible things as entrepreneurs. We just need the opportunity for lasting relationships, resources, and opportunities so we are successful, not for just one month, but for the long haul.
GH: What are your future goals/plans for your business?
SL: The future of Epicurious One is to become the premier wine education provider for enthusiasts and professionals. We want to become the safe place for all people to learn about and enjoy wine personally and professionally. We intend to do that nationally through classes, events, and enrichment trips. Stay updated by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
MORE ABOUT EPICURIOUS ONE
As connoisseurs of food and wine, Epicurious One offers their expertise and curated events to entertain your family, enhance your service, raise funds for your nonprofit, and much more.
info@epicuriousone.com