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Published on:

14th Jan 2020

33. How the “Barefoot Spirit” Propelled the Founders of Barefoot Wines from a Laundry Room to the Board Room of E&J Gallo

On this episode, we welcome Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey to the program.  Michael and Michael & Bonnie are the founders of Barefoot Wine, America’s #1 Wine Brand.  Their New York Times Business Bestseller, The Barefoot Spirit, is now required reading in more than 50 schools of entrepreneurship

 

In this episode Michael and Bonnie shares their remarkable journey from a laundry room of a rented farmhouse to the boardroom of the world’s largest wine company, E&J Gallo and how that journey paved the way for their future endeavors and the creation of a new category of audio books called Audio Theater.

 

Key #LessonInGrowth:

  • The Barefoot Spirit equates to an entrepreneurial mindset (West Coast Style)- opportunistic and problem solving
  • Not being an “expert” on insider allowed them to ask dumb questions to break out of “this is how it has always been done” mentality
  • Consistency in the wine/product was a differentiator to the current model.
  • Why 500 Cases of Wine/year was their top priority
  • Leveraged outsourcing and partners to scale the business
  • Leveraging grassroot tactics and community level brand building helped accelerate acceptance and growth.

 

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/bonnieharvey/

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/mhoulihan/

Website:  www.thebarefootspirit.com

Website:  www.barefootaudiobook.com/

Click here for a free audio episode of The Barefoot Spirit.

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About the Podcast

The Corporate Escapee
Helping GenXers Escape the 9-5 and Find Freedom. Real stories. Real advice. Your new playbook for life after corporate.
You followed the rules. You climbed the ladder. But now you’re wondering… what if there’s more?

Welcome to The Corporate Escapee Podcast—a show for GenX professionals who are done living a life around work and ready to start living life on their terms. Whether you’ve just started questioning your 9-5, got caught in a layoff, or are already out and building your own thing—this podcast is your roadmap to freedom.

Hosted by Brett Trainor, a former corporate exec who escaped and never looked back, each episode features real conversations with real escapees, subject matter experts, and authors. You’ll hear the highs, the lows, and the practical strategies that help GenXers leave corporate—and stay out.

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✨ It’s not just about leaving corporate.
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