We were lucky to catch up with Leigh Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.
Leigh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I took a risk in simply starting my own small wine label and with very little means financially and without a ton of confidence except that I had a lot of support from coworkers and family. I have worked for so many people and, at the same time, been freelancing as a musician. I really didn’t have a plan when I started my wine brand but my only focus was to make what I like. I wouldn’t say that has always been the easy choice because I have a lot of self doubt but I do believe that the products I make are delicious and even if not everyone likes them, I think I do a good job and deep down, I love what I do and what I have created.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m originally from a college town in Indiana and my undergrad is in harp music performance. I have always been the creative type and I love being active and my friends would be the first to tell you that I am very much a busy body. I enjoy work that is physical and the harp has always been that for me because you use all of your limbs. As I was freelancing as a musician, I realized I loved food as well and so I decided to pursue a culinary degree, which is how I got into wine. I took wine courses that made me so curious about how wine was made and I was instantly hooked. I have worked many jobs in the wine industry but production (making wine) has always been what I’m best at and most interested in. I currently am the assistant winemaker for another producer and as a team we work with clients to make wines for their portfolios as well. It makes for an interesting work week because I get to work with a lot of different grape varietals and help create things for other brands as well as my own. Meanwhile, I still perform regularly as a musician and in many ways, it helps me keep the focus on what inspires me in winemaking, which is to make what moves and inspires me.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I would say this is a positive and a negative for me. I think the most rewarding part is being able to feel free in what I am doing and make the wines that I like and to also have each day be a different day/challenge. I have done the office job for very short bits because I can’t sit still and focus on a computer. I am motivated by my surroundings, my body and nature and that means I have to keep physically busy and to involve my senses at the same time. I have border collies and I often see why they are a good match for me because we all have a hard time turning our brains off! The negative aspect for me is for these same reasons. I have a lot of mental space to continually question my ideas and sometimes it is hard to focus on the right path.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson I had to unlearn and something I still struggle with is to not make quick decisions and judgements without enough thought. Being a busy mind and person makes me feel as though I don’t have time to think things through and that has definitely caused errors and regrets on some of the choices I have made with my business. It can be frustrating owning your own business because I have so little time to do it all and sometimes I am too quick to do things. I have learned the hard way and it is still something I am working on. Sometimes taking the time to contemplate or plan is better than making the wrong choices. I’m all for going with your gut but sometimes one has to sit and chew first.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lolatiwines.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolatiwines/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lolatiwines