We were lucky to catch up with Julia Walderzak recently and have shared our conversation below.
Julia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
I believe one of the key things that has helped with my success is being able to pivot. If you are an entrepreneur and you can’t recognize your failures and own them, then you will never be able to grow. It’s okay to make mistakes, that’s how you learn. If you can’t adapt, then that a a recipe for disaster. Who would have ever imagined that there would be a global pandemic?! I had a very successful business before Decanted and once the world shut down, it was virtually wiped out in 24 hrs. I knew the nature of my previous business would not succeed in the current climate so I decided to Pivot. I thought to myself, what are my other passions that can be successful?! What does the world need right now? Wine and they don’t and can’t go to a venue… Then is dawned on me.. what about a mobile bar. The rest is history. It caught on like wild fire and I don’t believe the world will ever go back to the way it was. People love having the intimacy of parties at home. They don’t have to worry about driving, they can celebrate with their loved ones and the best part is they literally don’t have to do any work.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I refer to myself as a ‘cork dork’ and have always been that way! When I lost my other business ( virtually overnight due to the pandemic) my husband said ‘good sit still for a bit’. I laugh at that because 1 week later, I was already thinking of my next big dream. I knew I always wanted to be in the wine industry but did not want to own a brick and mortar given my previous experiences ( been there, done that). So I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be cool to have a vintage mobile bar that travels to places. I spent the rest of the lockdown finding a camper, overseeing renovations and figuring out the licensing.
We are a traveling mobile bar servicing all of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Our renovated vintage trailers or adorable wine carts make every event fun AND photogenic! We provide the highest level of customer service and flawless, full-bar beverage service by our highly trained bartenders. We bring everything you need for an elegant and exciting event! Serving carefully selected wines, seasonal beer and hand-crafted cocktails that we design with you.
I’m most proud of the fact that our clients literally have to do nothing haha! Unlike other competitors we provide all of the liquor, food and décor. We literally show up and magic happens. We also just started private labeling our own wine from Chile which has been a dream of mine since day one. This crazy pandemic inspired idea has grown from one camper ( Winona) to 2 campers, a 3rd on the way and 2 wine carts.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One of the most poignant parts of my entrepreneurial career was when I was applying for an SBA loan for my first business. I worked with professionals to create an accurate business plan and I was prepared. When I met with the Loan officer who was a male, he briefly read over my plan, looked at me and said ‘Well this seems nice but what are you going to do if you want to have children some day?’. I was so astounded, I could barely breathe. I looked him right in the eye and said ‘ I’m going to do what every man does. Now can I have my loan or not?’ I was given the loan that day but from that moment , I knew what my battle was going to be.
I knew that I had to be strong, I knew that I had to trust myself and I knew never to let anyone stand in my way.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Social media is so funny to me! Honestly if it wasn’t for my business, I would not be on social. When I start Decanted Wine Truck, I had 2 followers on social lol. I knew the key to my success would be authenticity and honesty and that is the way I roll to this day. There are good days, bad days, beautiful days, ugly days and just days. I never try to be someone who I’m not and I like to show the good, bad and ugly to our audience. I’m a mom of 3 young children and a wife, it’s not easy but being authentic is. Our audience follows up because they know they are getting the truth. Am I a little too truthful sometimes? Probably! That is life though….if you not chasing your kids or dogs around or looking forward to having your bra off the moment you walk in the house and a nice cocktail then WTF. If you try to engage your audience with with a whole bubble of fakeness, then you have lost your credibility!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.decantedwinetruck.com
- Instagram: @decantedwinetruck
- Facebook: @decantedwinetruck
Image Credits
Le Petite Studio