We recently connected with Shera Kaan-Lilly and Maxime Kaan-Lilly NA and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Shera Kaan-Lilly and Maxime Kaan-Lilly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
As South Florida sisters we know what it’s like to crave a refreshing glass of wine on a sunny afternoon. After a decade of sipping on Rosè, we felt it was time for something fresh and exciting. We wanted to develop a more elevated experience that could be enjoyed by a younger generation of wine drinkers. We’ve always loved chilling down our reds and quickly realized that most of our friends did too. So we teamed up with a master winemaker and after two years of sourcing the perfect grapes, countless iterations of blends, and tons of tastings with the gals, we finally had our eureka moment. We blended Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay to create a wine that is smooth, crisp and refreshing. In fact that combination of grapes is actually the foundation for almost all Champagne so we can’t fully take credit for it haha! We then age it on French Oak for three months, which results in a flavor profile of wild cherry, ripe strawberries, and vanilla bean. It’s charming, playful and always down for adventure.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
We are sisters that hail from Boca Raton, FL. We have been real estate brokers in South Florida for over a decade and that has been instrumental in not only teaching us how to work together but also helps us keep our finger on the pulse of what people are looking for and what they want. It was a combination of these factors that motivated us to venture out into another industry and have the confidence to know we could succeed. While business is certainly a huge part of our lives, we know that without family we wouldn’t be where we are today. We grew up in an extremely tight-knit family unit and that will always be our #1 priority.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Originally, Wildlilly had created a different glass bottle design and enclosure. We went through many versions and samples before landing on our approved version. Just as we went into production, we got word that our chosen design was no longer available due to overseas supply shortages from the pandemic. We quickly had to pivot to another design, asking our vendors to source new options quickly and putting our production on hold. The team came together and delivered a new concept that was actually more in line with our brand vision. It was a stressful time that forced us to be flexible and work together, but we’re proud of the outcome!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
We’ve learned from our real estate success that hitting the pavement and meeting clients personally is the best approach. Since our launch, Wildlilly has prioritized in-person tastings and events, where we are the ones pouring samples and meeting customers. Adding that personal touch and interaction has set us apart from the hundreds of faceless wine brands, and we attribute our growth and acceptance in the market to this strategy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildlillywine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlillywine/