Lovelee Wine toasts to pursuing your dreams and passions!
Follow your passion! I’ll drink to that!
CEO & Founder of Lovelee Wine, Aamira Garba found herself with a nice paying job, two beautiful children and a loving husband all by the age of 26. However, she began to realize by the age of 30 just how robotic and unfulfilled life became. She was just going through the motions… not seeking out her passions.
One day while on her usual 1 hour and 45 minute commute to work in NYC, Aamira decided to read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. She had an epiphany to stop searching for happiness and just create it.
LoveLee Wine would soon be born out of Aamira’s love for wine and her pursuit of passion with a strong notion that no one should ever feel stuck in their lives, but be blessed enough to follow their passions in life. The brand has since blossomed into a black-owned wine brand specializing in all things wine and travel.
Lovelee Wine currently offers 3 custom wine blends…
Legende blend is a vibrant tale of spiced blackberries with a hint of smoke and white pepper.
Journey blend is a passionate blend made for all who are ready to embrace life's journey, with notes of orchard and citrus fruits
Passion Sparkling Rosé made of 100% Pinot Noir and for all who are ready to manifest joy & passion into their life.
We caught up with Aamira Garba to discuss her business Lovelee Wine, her journey as an entrepreneur and what she’s learned along the way.
How did Lovelee Wine start?
As you can guess I had no concrete experience in the wine industry or in wine making… other than my occasional glass of wine and the plethora of wine tastings I would attend. I honestly just had a true love for wine and wine culture that drove my passion into creating my own brand. I had no business plan. I knew that up to that point in my life I had been playing life safely. But without risks there's no reward. With Lovelee Wine I knew that no matter the outcome, at least I would be proud of myself that I gave it a try.
What was the hardest thing for you getting started?
Finances! I am self-funded. I advise everyone to have a stable income before jumping headfirst into your own business. Start with small goals and be realistic or you will find yourself in a deep financial hole. Also, there isn’t a blueprint to follow when starting a wine business as an African American Woman. I’ll be the first to admit that there are a lot of mistakes when trying to run a business… get used to it. Lastly, I found it really hard finding mentors who were in the wine industry.
Describe your day as a business owner?
I start my days early. At 5 am I have to do my prayers and meditation to put myself in a positive vibe before tackling the day. At 5:45 am I wake up my children and by 7:15 am I have to have my children out the door and off to school. By 7:45 am I’m on the train commuting to my job. From 9:15-5 pm I’m working at my main job. At 6:45pm I’m arriving home. The rest of my night is usually spent doing mommy duties and creating content for my brand. I also follow up with any inquiries. I’m usually in bed by 10 pm. I need my sleep!
“If you have a passion, or just an idea that you’re hesitating pursuing, just go for it! Literally, just start! Pray and you will be surprised how things start to fall into place. ”
How has your business impacted people/community for the better?
I hope to inspire all people (especially women of color) through my journey to follow their dreams. My story should encourage and motivate other entrepreneurs to start and keep going. Also, I hope my product breaks the stereotypes around wine consumption amongst African Americans in the wine industry. I think many times people assume our wine is sweet (think moscato), however our wines are high quality dry wines.
What do you think about the Makerhoods?
Makerhoods sounds amazing. Newark is transforming for the greater good of it’s people. I believe the Makerhoods project will have a lasting positive impact on Newark. Entrepreneurs will have a community to thrive in, with amenities that will help their businesses grow. Not only will business owners thrive but the younger generation will also as they have a community of entrepreneurs they can aspire to be. Overall great concept, can’t wait until it’s completed!
What advice would you tell your younger self?
Take a risk early on. I lived life very safely, wanting to please everyone and most times I overlooked my own passions.
What are your plans for 2020?
My plans for 2020 are to expand my brand and branch out to wine travel. I also want to add new wine blends and network more. In short, I want to bring more wine to the world and continue to inspire!
Anthony Smith, Community Outreach Coordinator
After graduating college and returning back to my hometown of Newark, NJ I became a member of the Newark Makerhoods team. This transformative experience put me in touch with many local entrepreneurs who are all in different business stages, ranging from established to upstart. Newark is a thriving city for talented creators. I'm here to share their stories and launch their business to the everyday public’s eye.