There’s a common belief that before starting something new—whether it’s a business, a project, or a big change—you need to have everything figured out. That you need to have every detail, every strategy, and every possible scenario mapped out in advance.
And sure, preparation is important. But sometimes, we can overthink ourselves right into not starting at all.
This week’s episode with Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan of Barefoot Wine is a perfect example of why that’s not always necessary.
When they entered the wine business, they had no experience and almost no money. They didn’t know the “rules,” and in some ways, that was their greatest advantage. Because they didn’t know how things were “supposed” to be done, they were free to create a business on their own terms.
They didn’t wait until they had every detail worked out. They took the leap—before they were ready.
Bonnie and Michael knew nothing about terroir or vintages or noble grapes.
They couldn’t tell you the difference between a claret and a beaujolais.
But here’s what Bonnie and Michael DID know when they launched Barefoot back in the early 1980s…
They knew that wine wasn’t being made and marketed for people like them. Wine was impenetrable. It was snobby. It felt exclusive.
They wanted to make wine for beer drinkers.
They wanted the wine to taste consistent no matter when or where you bought it. And they wanted a label that evoked fun, which is why you get the footprint in the sand.
And it worked. Today, Barefoot Wine is one of the most successful wine brands in the world.
My point? You don’t need to have it all figured out to start.
In fact, most of the founders I’ve studied were in over their heads when they started.
The details, the pivots, and the breakthroughs—those come along the way. In fact, NOT knowing everything is often a competitive advantage because you’re not worried about breaking the rules a bit.
Have a great rest of your week.
On the Podcasts This Week!
Barefoot Wine’s Unlikely Success
Some businesses are built on careful planning and deep industry knowledge. Others… are the result of taking the leap before you’re ready.
That’s the story of Barefoot Wine. When Bonnie Harvey and Michael Houlihan started their journey into the wine business, they didn’t have any experience or a master plan.
What they did have was an unexpected opportunity—a chance to take over $300,000 worth of leftover wine from a bankrupt winery. So with nothing but curiosity and a willingness to learn, they jumped in.
Over the next 20 years they faced every up and down a business could possibly experience: rejection, little victories, scrappiness, the brink of failure, and, yes, a little bit of luck.
Eventually, Bonnie and Michael grew Barefoot Wine from a tiny operation to one of the biggest (and most well-known) wine brands in the world.
How they got there? Well…it’s a story you’ll have to enjoy alongside a nice glass of their famous Cabernet Sauvignon.
HIBT Advice Line: Trying Something New
This week we’re joined by Sadie Lincoln, co-founder of Barre3, a new kind of fitness studio that she and her husband launched after selling everything they had. One key takeaway from her story? When you’re doing something new, it’s crucial to make sure your brand clearly communicates the problem you’re solving.
First up, Dustin: How should I define the personality of my product?
Dustin is the creator of Ketchustard, a new condiment that blends the sweet and tangy flavors of ketchup and mustard into one bottle (looks and sounds yummy!) Dustin is trying to figure out how to position and define his brand We think he should take a page from Sir Kensington and Liquid Death – embrace being quirky and unique!
Next, Andrew: How do I sell a premium-priced backyard game?
Andrew is the founder of Rampz, a new game that combines elements of ski ball and corn hole. Andrew’s challenge is finding the right way to convey its value to consumers. The most important thing Andrew can do in the early days of his game is to find the right “tribes” and go to his customers!
Finally, Randi: How do I step away from being the face of my business?
Randi is building Ruffner Treehouse Village, a nature-centered community space in a low-income area of Birmingham Alabama. As her story went viral on social media, Randi found herself becoming the face of the business. Our best piece of advice? Build the right team around you.
All of today’s callers are doing something new – and Sadie is the perfect person to offer advice! Enjoy!
If you would like to be featured on an upcoming episode, call and leave a 1-minute message at 1-800-433-1298 or send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com
Miranda Lambert: From Honky Tonks to Country Music Icon
Miranda Lambert’s journey to becoming one of the most successful country musicians of all time didn’t come without setbacks. In fact, much of her success comes from learning how to lose, adjust, and keep moving forward.
At 14, Miranda started performing in local Texas bars and clubs – what she calls her “honky tonk” years. In these small venues, she learned how to read a crowd, handle all sorts of audiences, and – most importantly – gain confidence in herself and her musical abilities.
Through many ups and downs (including finishing 3rd in the inaugural season of Nashville Star), Miranda eventually found her voice and style. From small clubs in east Texas to the grandest stages across the world, Miranda’s influence on country music is undeniable.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that the path to success means embracing the losses, trusting your boldness, and never losing sight of your passion.
Watch it on YouTube:
Jim Collins: Building Companies That Last
Jim Collins is one of the most respected business thinkers of our time. But he doesn’t consider himself an author—he’s a researcher (and a meticulous one at that).
In this episode, Jim shares his groundbreaking approach to understanding what makes companies succeed in the long run. His famous works, like Good to Great and Built to Last, all come from years of deep analysis and data gathering.
It’s a fascinating conversation with a man who’s spent decades helping businesses evolve. And, as always, Jim’s insights will leave you rethinking what it takes to build something truly lasting.
Science Podcasts for Kids!
Searching For Yeti!
Guy and Mindy jump in the WOW machine to try and find one of the greatest mysteries on earth… a Yeti!
But what they find – and who they find – turns out to be just as mysterious!
Join us on our latest adventure to discover whether Yeti’s are real, what other creatures might be living in the Himalayan mountains, and… who wins the Golden Spatula?
All this and more on the latest Wow in the World!
Howlin’ at the Moon!
This week’s theme is the moon!
Did you know there are tunnels inside the moon? Or that the moon is made of tofu? Or… did you know there’s a teeny tiny museum on the moon??
Some of these are Wow’s… but the others might be Whats?!
Guess you’ll have to listen to find out!
From the Archives!
Barre3: Sadie Lincoln
Sadie Lincoln and her husband seemed to have it all: successful careers, a home in the Bay Area, and a lovely family. But one day, they decided to leave it all behind and take a leap into the unknown.
They sold everything and started Barre3, a new kind of studio exercise program that blends ballet, pilates, and yoga.
What started as a passion project quickly grew into something much bigger. Today, Barre3 has hundreds of studios across the country, offering a unique approach to fitness that emphasizes balance—both physically and mentally.
It’s a journey of reinvention, risk, and creating something entirely new. It’s one you won’t want to miss!
Tofurky: Seth Tibbott
Seth Tibbott’s story is as unique as they come.
In the early days, Seth lived in a barn, a teepee, and even a treehouse to save money while building his tempeh business—a humble protein made from fermented soybeans. For years, he scraped by, barely making a profit.
But everything changed in 1995 when Seth discovered a stuffed tofu roast in Portland, Oregon. Realizing that vegetarians had almost no options for Thanksgiving, he took a leap and created Tofurky. What started as a quirky product sold primarily in the Pacific Northwest, quickly became a global plant-based phenomenon.
Nearly 30 years later, Tofurky is a household name in the plant-based world, with annual sales estimated at $40 million.
See you next time!
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