MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: SARAH MACK
How did you find out you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
Entrepreneurship is deeply ingrained in me. I’ve always loved learning new skills and have a natural curiosity. Within my corporate jobs, I was always taking the initiative to start new projects, simplify processes, and go above and beyond what was expected in my role. I started my first business as an undergrad with some classmates. It was a storage startup that allowed students to rent out unused space in their off-campus houses to students looking for short-term storage.
Later, I ran a travel blog for 7+ years and started a women’s accessory business with my sister and friend while working in corporate roles.
Tell us about your venture/work.
I started a wine company, Vinat, with my sister! We are sourcing and rebranding exclusive European wines with fabulously cheeky labels and no unwanted additives.
How did you decide to tackle this particular issue?
Looking back, I can’t believe how much we have learned and how far we’ve come. The key has been curiosity, asking lots of questions, and partnering with experts in areas we aren’t. The wine industry is complicated in the US and is impacted by laws that were in place from prohibition. We’ve had to learn about international import/export, navigate the industry in Europe and the US, and, most importantly, listen to our customers.
What do you enjoy most about being an impact entrepreneur? What are the main challenges?
I love being able to explore all parts of my business. In a corporate role, your focus is usually one functional area, and it’s hard to switch functions without prior experience. I love that in the morning, I can work on finance and in the afternoon, chat about marketing strategy. One of the main challenges is that there is no one you can “fall back on.” Everything is ultimately up to you, especially early on.
How do you navigate the space of being a founder and also being a POC/woman/non-binary person?
Network with other women founders! I’ve found that there is much amazing support out there, and women want to support other women. Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel lonely, so building a support system is really helpful. Join women founders groups, leverage resource groups through your university alum network, and feel free to reach out to female founders you admire directly on LinkedIn. You’ll be surprised by how many people are willing to help.
What advice do you have for early-stage impact entrepreneurs about using their time and relationships to prepare for this kind of career?
Approach relationships by being curious, listening, and paying forward when possible. A little kindness and empathy can go a long way.
One mistake I see many people make with networking is being transactional. Many people from university experiences and previous companies have helped connect me with potential opportunities, partners, and customers. It’s been amazing how helpful my network has been! If I had approached building these relationships years back transactionally, I doubt many of these people would be offering their help today.
Finally, talk to experts, potential customers, and potential competitors before getting started. Building a business is time-consuming and can be expensive. The more work you can do to understand the industry and understand if there is a product-market fit, the better positioned you’ll be when you set up your business.
Click here to learn more about Vinat.