We were lucky to catch up with Darlene Wiliams Roberts recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Darlene thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
Yes I wish that I has started my business early on. The business was a hobby for my husband he was running and maintaining the daily task of the vineyard. While he was maintaining the vineyard I was busy running my business in health and wellness along with my Spa. My cousin would say Darlene you need to learn and understand what it takes to maintain the vineyard, I did not pay her any attention and went on about my business. Well life hit and my husband became ill and was not able to maintain our vineyard that was also on the land that we owned with our house sitting on the land. So I had to take over the daily operation of maintaining the vineyard. I had no idea of what needed to be done or where to start. Due to my husband failing health he could not help me a his memory was fading. So I had to google and reach out to other farmer and vineyard owner for help. Lon story short I took for granted that I did not need to know anything about the vineyard and my husband hard work for granted. I had to learn by trail an error had to maintain the vineyard along with running my Spa and health and wellness business. After all that was my field of expertise’s. But I proud to say that the vineyard is doing well. I am continuing my husband legacy as he passed away July 23, 2022. Two major accomplishment is that I am now producing my own Wine. The Roberts Vineyard is the only Black Women Owned USDA GAP Certified Vineyard in the State of Georgia. So yes I wish I would have learned and gain knowledge from my husbands while he was here with me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a residence of Byron Ga and a fitness enthusiast, health and wellness expert and a certified personal fitness coach. A Homestead Florida native with a love of entrepreneurship. I have operated several successful business to included a gym and multiple spas. I operate Spa, a day spa that focus on health and wellness in downtown Macon the first African-American, women-owned spa in the area,
A serial entrepreneur with a love for agricultural . I founded the Roberts Vineyard. The Robert Vineyard is the only Black Women Owned USDA GAP certified Vineyard in the State of Georgia . I also founded the Women AG leadership Foundation, Inc to help women learn more about agricultural and the importance of farming and growing crops locally.
We produce our own wine from the muscadines that we harvest. We also sale fresh fruit and vegetables with muscadine being our main fruit, My husband was maintain and harvesting muscadine as a hobby. After his health failed I took on the his hobby as a business. What set me apart is that I am self driven and at this time I am the only Black Owned USDA GAP certified Vineyard in the State of Georgia. I am now producing my own muscadine wine.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson that I have unlearn is not to take life for granted. To learn even when you don’t want to learn. The back story is I took for granted that my husband would be here to maintain his hobby that now has became my full time business.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to pivot in my career as a health and wellness professional and learn how own and operate a vineyard. Being in the agricultural industry that is dominated by males. This industry was a struggle for me as I had no knowledge about this industry no more than I walked outside my house and saw my husband work diligently on his hobby every day. But I took his hobby and turned into a business. I am a trail blazer in this industry showing women that there is a place for us in Agricultural.
Contact Info:
- Website: robertsvineyard.com
- Facebook: DRVineyard