How a Former Wall Street Pro Grew a Successful Champagne Brand Organically | Marvina Robinson

What would it take for you to leave a successful career to start a wine company?

Marvina Robinson had it all–a 20-year Wall Street career and a clear path forward. But her heart was elsewhere. What began as casual champagne nights with friends turned into a journey of passion and resilience.

In this episode, Paul K sits down with Marvina, CEO and founder of B. Stuyvesant Champagne, to discuss her remarkable journey in the wine industry.

Marvina reveals how she built her champagne brand organically (without PR or investors), the unique challenges she faced as a woman of color, and the rewarding art of crafting champagne experiences. Plus, she offers an insider’s look at the intricate processes that make champagne so special.

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a leap into the unknown, this episode is for you.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

From Wall Street to champagne (00:42)

The art of champagne and its cultural significance (07:55) 

Champagne pairings and industry perceptions (10:18)

Overcoming the challenges of starting a champagne brand (18:11)

Growing a champagne brand organically (26:52)

Experiential innovation in wine and other industry trends (30:35)

Addressing sexism and racism in the wine industry (33:49)

The importance of community connection (45:51)

Rapid-fire questions answered (49:16)

Episode wrap-up (52:21)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Visit B. Stuyvesant Champagne for more information: https://www.stuyvesantchampagne.com/

Watch or listen to these episodes:

🔸The Vineyard NO ONE Thought Could Exist in Texas with Stephanie Franklin: https://youtu.be/RNT-B-hUgpo

🔸How One BAD Wine Led to a Thriving Wine Business with a TWIST | Stephanie Franklin: https://youtu.be/mmyguoWhsPY

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

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Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

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