Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorna Daniel-Dupree.
Hi Lorna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Whenever I am asked to tell my story, I don’t know where to start. There are so many influential chapters. So, I will try my best at creating an accurate synopsis of my life:
I grew up in Durban, South Africa, but been lucky to have traveled quite a bit in my short lifetime and with me always, my trusty companion, my camera.
My love for cameras grew into a passion which lead me to study film production at the University of Cape Town. I worked for a while in the industry before deciding to have a break from the ‘big city life’. I moved to live and work at our family’s beautiful bush lodge in Hluhluwe.
I always had a thirst for owning my own company- both my parents are inspiring entrepreneurs- so I thought why not give it a try? That’s when I started my own media company called Under the Mouse Media. It specialised in helping companies in the industrial market (construction, manufacturing, engineering, etc.) with rebranding and creating an online presence.
In 2014 I was given the life-changing opportunity to work on a Discovery Channel survival show. I met my husband on that show and now we both live in Los Angeles pursuing our film careers and our dream of owning a wine store.
During the 2020 COVID pandemic, we started our company, Stellies Wines, which imports boutique, fine wines from South Africa into California. It’s a constant learning curve but it sure is fun.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No road is ever smooth. There are always little humps, bumps and maybe some giant potholes too.
Whether it was deciding to change my career or moving country which meant being away from my family, friends and all I knew, while, simultaneously having to learn a new culture and its policies and regulations. Also, having to run and grow a company while working in the film industry…the struggles and obstacles in each of these are all so different.
However, in all honesty, the biggest obstacle involved in all these parts was the stress I felt due to a lack of self-confidence and the fear of uncertainty.
Once I figured that out and dealt with it, everything changed.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a freelancer in the film industry, working as a camera assistant on a variety of different shows that take me around the world. I love what I do, however, my heart lies with our company, Stellies Wines.
Stellies Wines was born out of a passion for wine but in particular, South African wine. (Trust me, it will change your world.)
With the enormous variety (of pretty much anything you could desire) in Los Angeles, we found a severe lack of South African wines on the shelves, which really disappointed us. When we would find bottles tucked away somewhere, no one can tell us information about that wine or the farm it came from.
Not only do we want the wines to be accessible to every table, but we want our customers to know the story from which it has grown, where the farm is located and the people behind making them.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
So many people deserve credit. From my encouraging parents and my brother who gave me advice on spreadsheets. My business partner (and husband) who inspires me every day.
Our generous friends who helped load up our first shipment or continue to help with packaging orders while we are away for film work– you know who you are.
Those who supported us from the beginning- ordering and tasting the wines and giving us their honest feedback.
There is also the mix of strangers who have shared tidbits of wisdom along the way.
Pricing:
- $25 for whites and rosé wines.
- $30-$35 for red wines.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stellieswines.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellieswines/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellieswines/
Image Credits
Lorna Rae Daniel-Dupree/ Lorna Rae Photography Larissa Costa-Evans David Napuri Matthew Stauter
