Entrepreneur thrives on the finer factors

Sonya Trent-Pellom grew up in a tiny town in Fayette County, about 40 miles south of Columbus, but she’s carved out a title for herself as a retailer of high-quality, world tastes. 

© Rob Hardin/CEO
Sonya Trent-Pellom is founder of Exquisite Wines & Cigars.

She commenced Beautiful Wines & Cigars in 2013, first as a wine distribution business, but at some point she required much more. Immediately after building a name for herself with significant-finish events for company purchasers and celeb galas, in 2020 Pellom ventured into packaging encounters on the net. When pursuing a license to offer wine, Pellom has turned to coffee, tea, wine glasses and other significant-stop add-ons. At the time she opens a brick-and-mortar retail house, she’ll be in a position to increase wine to the listing of on the internet choices.

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With 7 decades under her belt, the 51-calendar year-outdated entrepreneur needs to share her appreciate of the finer factors with a much more varied local community. She a short while ago spoke with Columbus CEO, a sister publication to The Dispatch.

What about your really like of the finer points in culture?

Trent-Pellom: My grandmother taught me the value of visual appeal at an early age. Even though we were in a rural area — my high school was virtually in the center of a corn industry — remaining a tomboy was unacceptable. She often explained to us, you under no circumstances know who you’re heading to satisfy, so you want to existing the earth with your very best self anytime you can. The wine arrived culturally, way too. I grew up viewing my mom and my grandmother make wine. I usually carried that with me.

In which do you think you get your entrepreneurial spirit?

Trent-Pellom: From my grandfather. He bought alcoholic beverages through Prohibition, but he was also a homebuilder and labored in the local mill. He set his total self into his companies. He utilized to convey to me, your perform is an extension of who you are. And he taught me not to be concerned to fall short. 

How did Beautiful get its begin?

Trent-Pellom: Exquisite started off in 2013 as a wine distribution enterprise. I beloved it at initially — conference new persons and heading to various destinations, to unique wineries and doing all the factors distributors do. And then we strike a market: We started accomplishing personal parties for huge legislation companies and M/I Properties. When providers required a gift for an government or they wished to host a personal occasion for a newly designed luxurious house, they would occur to us. We’d have a wine bar and cigar desk, and an individual there to minimize cigars for guests, and I’d offer you wine and cigar pairings dependent on the menu. 

What do you think built clientele keep coming back again?

Trent-Pellom: Some of your consumers are your clientele simply because they appreciate you and what you supply. You provide a excellent vibe, and persons will be captivated to that.

Why do you think it’s vital to share wine and other aspects of society with the Black neighborhood exclusively?

Trent-Pellom: Wine has under no circumstances been a element of the city placing and culture. All people drank Moscato, of training course, and appropriate wines that didn’t need a excellent palate. But we have some of the most effective wineries in Africa, South Africa exclusively, and it was crucial for me to share that portion of our tradition. With all of the points becoming uncovered, we have gotten away from viewing the attractiveness. I preferred to get art and society and blend it into our local community in a way that individuals would acknowledge it.

Converse about your new enterprise into espresso.

Trent-Pellom: During the pandemic, (personal gatherings) snuffed out. All people is very regulated and guarded. So in March, a good friend of mine named from Georgia. Her associate experienced just backed out of an investment in a espresso and tea organization, and she required to know if I would be fascinated. 

For the duration of this pandemic, something that you can do to make a customer’s lifestyle comfortable and pleasant in their property is likely to be a winner. Wine and cigars — that is the basis, but you have to be able to depart your consolation zone. Now we offer you 21 connoisseur espresso flavors and 13 kinds of loose-leaf tea. We also retail for Zalto (German stemware) and Monin syrups. 

What’s following for Exquisite?

Trent-Pellom: We’re on the lookout to open a brick-and-mortar shop. We currently have a area picked out. That would be the culmination of hard get the job done, learning and experience. And it would suggest a very first residence for Exquisite. We plan to give free artwork classes for young children twice per month, led by regional artists. I also consider Beautiful will aim on style, in particular apparel for females around 40. 

You have been in enterprise now for 7 years. What tends to make you most happy?

Trent-Pellom: Making. Making a thing strong. When I’m absent, my daughter can run (the business) with no difficulty. 

Virginia Brown is a freelance author.

Sonya Trent-Pellom

Title: founder, Beautiful Wines & Cigars online cigar, coffee and tea retailer that’s pursuing a license as a wine retailer 

Personnel: 2 

Earnings: Would not disclose 

Web-site: exquisitewinesandcigars.com

This post initially appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Entrepreneur thrives on the finer points