We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma Evans a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emma, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe success comes from intentional focus and disciplined prioritization. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from an amazing manager who told me, “If you want to get something done, you make time for it.” That stuck with me because none of us have unlimited hours in the day—it’s not about having time, but about making time for what truly matters.

In my own business, I’ve applied this mindset by being strategic about where I invest my energy. As a stay-at-home mom running a business, my to-do list is never-ending, but success comes from choosing what’s most important and committing to it. Rather than trying to do everything, I focus on what will move me forward. Success isn’t about being busy, it’s about being intentional.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Level 3 Sommelier and have been in the wine industry since 2016. In 2024, I made the decision to leave my full-time job to become a stay-at-home mom, but in the process, I found an unexpected passion for entrepreneurship. That’s how Wine with Emma was born! A business that allows me to share my love of wine through public and private tastings in Wilmington, NC. What started as a leap of faith, encouraged by a friend, has turned into something truly special.

My wine tastings dive into the nerdy, fascinating details of wine, but my ultimate goal is to make wine approachable: no fancy pants required. I believe what sets me apart is my ability to take something that often feels prestigious or intimidating and turn it into an experience that’s fun, interactive, and welcoming. Wine should be enjoyed, not overcomplicated. My tastings are about learning something new, sharing great wine, and spending time with friends in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.

What I’m most proud of is the incredible relationships I’ve built along the way; both with the small businesses I’ve collaborated with and the amazing people I’ve met at my events. Wine has a way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what I hope to continue doing with Wine with Emma.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I try to post the kind of content that I would want to see—fun, relatable, and engaging. My social media is a mix of silly, interactive, and educational posts and reels about wine and mom life. I want my audience to feel like they’re part of the conversation, not just being talked at.

One of the biggest ways I’ve built my audience is by connecting with people in real life. At my events, I always encourage guests to follow me on social media so they can stay updated on future tastings. Collaborating with local influencers has also been a game-changer, helping me reach new people in an authentic way.

Engagement is key, and I make an effort to respond to every message and comment. I once read that you should engage with your followers in stories too—so even if I don’t personally know someone, if I relate to their content, I’ll comment and start a conversation. Social media is about community, and I try to foster that in every interaction.

I don’t have a massive following, but as a small business, 2,500 followers means the world to me. Every person who follows me is someone who enjoys what I do, and that’s what matters most. My advice for anyone starting out? Be yourself, be consistent, engage with others, and most importantly have fun with it!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first launched my business, I was soaking up all the advice I could find by listening to podcasts, reading articles, and trying to learn as much as possible. One piece of advice that really stuck with me was, “Say yes to everything unless it’s a full-body no.” So, I took it to heart and said yes to every event, every collaboration, and every opportunity that came my way.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that this approach wasn’t sustainable. While some opportunities were great, others stretched me too thin or didn’t align with my vision. I quickly learned that saying yes to everything wasn’t the key to success, but it was the fast track to burnout.

Now, I know what works for me, my business, and my family. Looking back, I think saying yes to everything is actually bad advice, and it’s not something I would pass on to others. Instead, I believe in getting clear on your goals, defining what success looks like for you, and focusing on what truly makes sense for your business. Now, I say yes to what brings me joy and aligns with my vision and that has made all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://winewithemma.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wine_with_emma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winewithemma
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wine-with-emma/