Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Wittstrom Higgins.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born and raised in agriculture, I have always had a passion for the land, animals and this way of life. Sharing the fruits of mother nature and those who care for her is one of my greatest joys. For 15 years, I traveled the world, sharing the wines of Paso Robles with anyone who might listen. During this time, I built a national distribution network, worked with national retail partners, media to generate awareness as well as a dynamic direct-to-consumer program. During this time, I realized that the wine industry and agricultural way of life was under pressure of losing market share. As an industry and segment, we needed to be more mindful of different cultures, perspectives and viewpoints. In 2018 I founded Dream Big Darling with a few of my industry peers with the aim of lifting the next generation of women in the Wine and Spirits industry. By offering education, mentorship, community and opportunity, we believe that we can positively impact the future of this industry. Our goal is to invite more individuals into the world of wine. In 2021, I launched a business strategy and development company (Full Cup Solutions) that works with companies in the agricultural and beverage industry to create sustainable operations that highlight their natural strengths and position for success in this competitive industry.
Alright, 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?
Any time you do something new, there are inevitably obstacles and struggles. Each challenge better prepares you for what lies ahead and is all part of the growth process. During my tenure of helping built awareness for a Paso Robles Winery, the challenge was developing this little-known region and category within both the distributor and account set. This took an enormous amount of education and persistence. Starting Dream Big Darling was a challenge because this concept hadn’t been done before and by recognizing that there was a need for this program – ultimately meant that the current system wasn’t perfect.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dream Big Darling?
We are a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire, inform, connect and empower the next generation of women leaders in the wine and spirits industry, providing exposure and creating a safe and actionable space for sharing curriculums, perspectives and insights based on the unique needs of the community.
Our community is deliberately intimate. Going deep with a smaller audience can make a huge impact on members who in turn, become ambassadors of the learnings and contacts among their own peers and the broader community. It creates a tight kinship and close bond among members and mentors who stay connected along their entire professional journey. Our in-person events—typically around 20-30 people—give attendees the opportunity to network more directly amongst themselves as well as pursuing individual education. Our goal is to create meaningful and everlasting relationships that result in long-term, impactful change.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Taking risks is an essential part of life and business. I’d like to think of myself as a calculated risk taker. One of my favorite quotes is “You have to go out on a limb; that’s where the fruit is”.
More than anything, life is about knowing who you are and what makes you happy, for some that means playing it safe; for others it means putting it all on the line. Whatever is right for you is what you should do. However, don’t let the fear of failure stop you from living your dream. Falling down is part of the process; remember those who get back up are the ones that succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dreambigdarling.org
- Instagram: @dreambigdarling_org
Image Credits
Acacia Productions Elizabeth Hay Barry Goyette
