Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Sternin
Hi Haley , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I came out to LA to pursue a career in the entertainment industry after graduating from Emerson College in 2016. After a few years working as an assistant in the reality TV department at Warner Bros I decided the entertainment corporate world was ultimately not for me. I had grown up in Santa Barbara and had developed a deep interest in the wine industry from visiting Santa Barbara County wineries with my family. I loved how much culture and history played a part in wine and decided to take the Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certification program at the Wine House in Culver City. After the first level I got a job at a tasting room in Santa Clarita that housed two wineries. I then completed the WSET levels 2 and 3 and from there began working at Tabula Rasa Bar in Thai Town where I quickly moved up to Assistant Beverage Director and then eventually Beverage Manager. Tabula Rasa decided to open a retail spot in North Hollywood and after about a year and half decided they wanted to shift their focus back onto their bar location and started looking for a buyer to take over their Noho spot. In addition to being Tabula Rasa’s Beverage Manager I had been working and managing this North Hollywood retail location so when the opportunity to take over and buy the business came I took it. We have now been open as Haley’s Wines for 6 months
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think with every business opportunity there are ups and down and bumps along the way, but I feel grateful to have such an amazing community and support system behind me. We have the most gracious regulars that were extremely caring and supportive as I navigated opening my first business. As a sole owner I am responsible not only working at the shop during the hours we are open, but managing the finances, social media, marketing, etc which at times can be overwhelming but I am so happy to have opened Haley’s Wines and I wouldn’t change a thing!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Haley’s Wines?
Haley’s Wines is an organic and natural wine retail shop that also serves tasting and glasses and hosts weekly events! We focus on small production family wineries from all over the world! Since opening I have taken pride in curating an events schedule to create a space where our community can come together and enjoy food pop-ups, bingo nights, trivia and more! Our schedule can be found on our website, Instagram, or on our calendar that is hung-up by the entrance of the shop. Our by the glass and tasting menu changes often and is available any time we are open. It usually features 6-8 wines by the glass that you can build a tasting from! The amazing food pop-ups we host such as Pizza Daughter, Sourdough Daddy, Hoagie Mouth, and Chef Liza, usually take place Friday-Sunday, but we have a selection of cheeses and chips for days we don’t have food!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
A key lesson I have learned is the importance of building strong relationships with my customers and my distributors. While running a wine shop might seem like it’s all about the product on the shelf, a successful wine business often hinges on the connections you make. I am lucky to have such amazing regulars, most of whom live in the immediate North Hollywood area. I love offering personalized recommendations which I am able to do because I have taken time to get to know my customers and have cultivated a sense of community around wine tastings and events. Additionally, working closely with a hand-full of natural wine distributors and trusting their opinions ensures that we have access to unique offerings that set us apart from other wine shops in our area.
I also have had to learn how to adapt quickly. The first few months in business can be unpredictable, and being able to pivot when necessary is crucial for staying afloat and thriving. We have had to cancel pop-ups and events last minute because of circumstances that could not have been foreseen and it is my job to convey this information to my customers. Things don’t always go as planned, but I always want to remain a place that continues to support our community when unexpected circumstances arise.
Pricing:
- The majority of our wines are priced under $30 and we always have a by the glass option (one if not two) for $10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haleyswines.com
- Instagram: haleyswines
Image Credits
Kathleen Lydon
