One business owner many hats

What differentiates your business from others?

I am proud to say that we are a super unique, niche shop that sells responsibly made wine across the board. I’ve hired great people who are exceptional at tasting wine and at finding the most sustainable, natural wines and spirits.

Are you the only store that sells natural wine and spirits or is this something common throughout Denver?

While other businesses are open-minded to natural means of making wine, we’re the only store that exclusively selects products based on their sustainability. What we specialize in, organically made biodynamically natural-made wine is a smaller percentage of general shelf space. While most other stores sell 25% or 30% natural wines, our strategy is more like 99% natural wines–so our niche is a bigger selection of that specific type of wine.

What challenges has your business faced in recent months?

It’s hard to hire talent right now. I would say that’s number one on our list.

Also time management is an issue. I really like to be as efficient as possible. Because we’re so small, I have to wear many hats. And so I’m always trying to find ways to do things more efficiently.

Payments in particular take time. When you think about what’s required to receive inventory, it can be challenging. There’s often only one or two people standing in the shop at time of delivery. So all this wine, beer and spirits comes through the door and we have to quickly look all the pricing over and make sure all products are there.

“I have to wear many hats. And so I’m always trying to find ways to do things more efficiently.”

What’s more, we used to have to write the delivery guys checks—and we all know it takes a while to complete all these steps. And when you’re by yourself, you might have other customers walking through the door or the phone might be ringing all while trying to properly write a check. So to remove those steps is a big deal. And that essentially makes this pain point go away. The fact I have control, keep sustainability, and can be efficient is priceless.

What skills have you gained as a business owner?

I am always figuring things out on my own. Like, hey, I’m gonna build a website today. Okay, I’m gonna figure that out. Or, I’m gonna send out an email campaign–I’m just gonna piece it together.

So, I started down that road of trial and error before we opened Proof because I’m a creative human and love learning from that creative standpoint.

As a small business owner it seems you must be all hands. How does it affect your business?

It’s a good challenge to say okay, I’m going to wear a lot of hats. I’ve got to be the bookkeeper. I have to deal with our accountant at the end of the year for tax purposes, including making sure all these checks go through to the distributors. I have to help customers in the shop and actually know what I’m talking about. And then I’m making a delivery.

“It’s a good challenge to say okay, I’m going to wear a lot of hats.”

I find that a lot of business owners like wearing a lot of hats. I think it’s fun being able to take on each day, knowing that it’s going to bring its own challenges but also bring with it new ideas and solutions. It keeps things more interesting as I do a lot of different things on a daily basis.

“I think it’s fun being able to take on each day, knowing that it’s going to bring its own challenges but also bring with it new ideas.”

Photos credit: Parker Rice

 Sarah Hauser is Proof Wine & Spirits shop owner and manager, located in Denver.