Meet India Hynes of Vinotemp in Irvine

Today we’d like to introduce you to India Hynes.

India, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Los Angeles. My parents, both French, wanted me home, like forever. So, at 25, after graduation and dabbling in acting, I moved out, worked at a record company in licensing and started a gift basket business. I needed help with delivery, and by that time my father, who started Vinotemp, had grown the company into a substantial business. So, he told me if I worked for him part time, he’d have the baskets delivered.

Working for my father was great and tough. He was a workaholic, and I quickly came to realize I was one too. Making money is addictive. So, I kept at it and soon my gift basket business was successful. It was around that time when I met my husband at a Starbucks in Manhattan Beach. We married, and soon I was balancing two businesses, a new home and one, and then, two, kids.

So, I stopped the gift basket business and focused on Vinotemp. Frustrated with wanting to see more growth, I started a business reselling my father’s, Vinotemp, products. In doing so, I ventured into the PPC (pay per click) world of advertising, which was new at the time (this was in the late 90’s), and I paid a lot for it. I also participated in trade shows (my father didn’t want to do that kind of investment, he was in his 80’s at the time). Soon my new company began working with big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot, and our brand was growing like crazy.

Then my father became ill. After seeing what I’d accomplished, he made me CEO. I was a marketing gal, not a CEO, it was an honor but this was a huge responsibility for me. I closed my reselling business and focused on Vinotemp.

Business grew quickly. In addition to adding new sister companies and creating new products we acquired additional buildings and made new hires to support our growing brand. Today, our products are found worldwide; in home and commercial installations like restaurants, resorts, and even the yachting industry.

It’s an exciting business, one that’s let me use my creativity. Which, at times can be challenging because I do tend to go a bit overboard with ideas, but we are a very artistic company, so we enjoy ideas and the process of making them a reality.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha, NO.

Some of the biggest struggles…

Competing with China from both a product and manufacturing standpoint. Obamacare, California energy laws, immigration… Need I say more?

With foreign products pouring into the US, we have seen a decrease in made in America standard products. Labor is tough with the new immigration policy; it’s forced to use less labor. China continues to become more sophisticated and continues to replace more and more products made here. Luckily, we’ve positioned Vinotemp to be on both sides, sourcing and manufacturing both overseas and in America, however it’s sad to see. But it’s Obamacare and California energy laws that severely devastated labor and hiring. As a result, everyone I speak with that has a similar business seeks to not pass 50 or more employees (Vinotemp currently employs 100).

Please tell us about Vinotemp.
For over three decades, Vinotemp has crafted custom wood wine cabinets, wine racks, wine cellars, and cooling systems and is the leading distributor of wine coolers, beverage coolers, wine dispensers, accessories and more. Today, I’m proud of how many people know and recognize our brand because it speaks to our dedication, close attention to market demand and our use of non-standard ideas. I am also incredibly proud that Vinotemp is 100 percent female owned, a formidable employer, and despite the many challenges presented over the past decade, an American company that continues to grow.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Every Sunday morning I’d enjoy breakfast with my Mom and Dad. We always ventured down the path of discussing politics and to this day I fondly remember how our discussions would have us heated by the end of breakfast.

Contact Info:

• Address: 16782 Von Karman Ave.,
  Suite 15, Irvine, CA 92606
• Website: vinotemp.com
• Phone: 800.777.8466
• Email: info@vinotemp.com

Image Credit:
Vinotemp

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