Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Olesky.
Tara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
During the pandemic, I founded Tablewine, a lifestyle amenity for Class A residences across the US. I was laid off at the beginning of COVID and began brainstorming on how I could combine my skill sets to create an experience for luxury renters that would also allow me to give back to our community. After about 20 years in the wine and hospitality industry, and also as a renter myself, I wanted to elevate the resident experience to the next level and bring something to the multi-family real estate game that hasn’t been previously done. I put my sommelier experience together with my CA real estate license, and, voila, Tablewine was born!
We are a sommelier at your fingertips and support small, family producers who practice regenerative farming. I love curating the monthly collections for each resident and especially enjoy meeting in person when I host live resident tasting events at their buildings. It’s also fun to answer questions, help with special orders for events, and even do some wine vacation planning. We’ve created a fun way to enhance community engagement while learning more about wine. Tablewine will plant a tree for each unit onboard, and residents will be able to track that across our website, as well as offer charitable donation ideas once we start generating enough revenue to donate a percentage each quarter.
It continues to be a challenge to ramp up a new idea, but one that I embrace and a journey that I’m definitely looking forward to branding across the US with my team.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
100% no! It’s hard to raise funds as a female-founded start-up when you have a niche idea with no track record. I’ve run into the catch-22 of needing funds to generate brand awareness but having companies request proof of concept, so it creates some struggle. It’s forced me to expand my knowledge base and learn to think outside the box, I’ll say, but I’m looking forward to a smoother path once we get a few buildings on board. That will also allow me to focus on what I do best: creating wine and people partnerships while supporting my fantastic team.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tablewine. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
It’s a lifestyle amenity that enhances community engagement and profitability for Class A residential properties across the US. Tablewine is an entirely new concept and, I hope, the next generation of amenities in luxury buildings. Research shows that more people are choosing to rent instead of own and, with elevated pricing, expect more in the way of hospitality offerings. I am able to use my real estate and sommelier skills, as well as 20 years of work in the industry, to connect residents to winemakers, sommeliers, and new organic producers from around the globe.
I’m proud of all of it, honestly! The idea, the team I’ve cultivated, and the future I foresee once we get up and running successfully.
It’s a B2B concept, so my target has been primarily multi-family developers and management companies but the residents are a huge factor, obviously, and the end focus of my company. I’d love for builders to know there are opportunities to elevate their game for their residents, and I’d love to be a bridge across all demographics for residents to make new friends and enjoy learning about wine.
What were you like growing up?
I have always been very driven and outspoken. I was a ballet dancer and attended a musical theatre school in New York. I have always loved school, particularly languages and reading, and I graduated high school early while also taking college courses in the evening. Personality-wise, hmmm…. gregarious? I’m probably seen as very social, but I also love my alone time!
I was a fitness trainer for a while, a career I started while living in New York and needing to make ends meet and still make time for running, pilates, and boxing. Traveling has always been a favorite goal of mine, and I love to learn about new cultures.
Pricing:
- $65/month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tablewinemdr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tablewinemdr/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tablewine/
Image Credits
Bryce Fallen Scott Warman Randi Bauer
