XTRA! XTRA! SIP ALL ABOUT IT!
2020 Winewives & Covid
Running a Social Business During a Pandemic
Most of you know me personally. You know I am transparent and honest. You know I care about my friends, my family, my career, and my business. The reason I am writing this is because it was brought to my attention that a small group of people were disappointed in what Winewives offered in 2020 and were fairly vocal about that disappointment recently. I want to discuss some things about the happenings of this business and the person behind it.
I’d like to share with you how being a nurse in 2020 has affected me personally to give you some background on these last 6-7 months. I have seen things that I would never wish on my worst enemy. The reason that I work med/surg is that I am able to care for complex disease processes and most often see them walk out of the door. Death is a rare occurrence. As I have floated to working the Covid unit, I’ve seen people drowning in their own saliva, panicking because they know that they are dying and have no way of seeing their loved ones, and even pregnant mothers under 30 praying to God that they make it and are able to see their babies in utero and their babies grow up dying just a day or two after symptoms. As a nurse, all I can do is do is my best to keep them comfortable, speak with their families, and fight until I have nothing to keep them alive. As a person who rarely dreams, the only time that I experience vivid dreams is usually with traumatic events. The only time that I remember vivid dreams was when we found my best friend hanging from her canopy bed when we were 17. I suffered with insomnia for years, fearful that I would dream and see that picture again. I sought therapy about a month ago when all I could see every time I closed my eyes was this young pregnant mother of 4 who I lost to Covid. My heart shatters and eyes well each and every time I think of her. Not to mention, I was fearful everyday that I would bring this virus home to my family including my son who has a respiratory illness so I spent my mornings taking surgical baths to ensure that they remained as safe as possible. I had many conversations with my husband where he just listened to me scream/cry. I was not ok. I am not ok. Working on it, but not ok.
Now I’d like to share with you how 2020 has affected me as a small business owner. Just as Covid shut everything down, we were planning our first event to start the new year here on the Northshore. As a nurse, I was scared to infect anyone that I was around so I may have shut things down prematurely, but let’s be honest: We are fighting a ghost. I would never forgive myself if I killed someone as a result of infection.
I, unfortunately, have an LLC registered under beverages with the Secretary of State (incase I ever decided to sell alcohol), so in late-March I made the tough decision to shutdown all Winewives operations (sent out a newsletter as well as put out an announcement or two on social media). We aren’t allowed to technically do anything until phase 3. I take the government’s mandates against gatherings very seriously. I have personally witnessed the results of not quarantining and following the rules. Those results are not something I’m willing to risk with my business which main mission involves gathering my friends into large groups to drink. There is a reason bars are closed. I’m not willing to expose myself or my business legally by not following these mandates. This is heartbreaking, but I’m not giving up on Winewives.
I still promoted The Winewives (so no one forgot about us) and had to fulfill some previously committed obligations such as Times Square which was done virtually. I did my best to alert everyone that things would be stalled. I am currently still paying taxes, but the business account has not had money in or out since February 22nd. I have worked my ASS off to build a brand over the last two years that is all inclusive and fosters a sisterhood. Driving to NOLA in December for a sip & shop after a 12 hour clinical day, spending 45 mins to an hour, then driving to the hospital for another 12 hour shift. I take my brand seriously and building it has been a passion.
An additional concern that I was told was discussed during this gathering is that I’m about influencers and getting my name out there. I’m friends with so many different women. Some of them are teachers, some are realtors, and some make their money using social media to share their lives with others. It’s not the primary focus of my business to work with influencers, but it would be crazy not to partner with women who have a great deal of influence and connections within the community. I boost them up as much as they boost me up. But while I cherish these friends and relationships, my brand has been entirely focused on organic growth. I haven’t paid for marketing and other services as I prefer word of mouth and appreciate seeing it grow with my hard work as well as the hard work of people on the team that assist me such as Jennifer. To say that my only focus is on marketing to influencers is an absolute insult.
As a business woman, I do see areas where I can grow and do a better job for sure, but isn’t that all part of growth? For example, we’ve had some delayed boxes. As an apology for the delay as I tried to figure out the best way to ship, I not only offered a free sipper membership for everyone in 2021, but stated just a week ago that we would be sending out “catch up” boxes for everyone that didn’t receive their packages during the pandemic. I am trying. That somehow wasn’t enough. I’m one person whose main priority is making it through this pandemic healthy both physically and mentally and not passing this on to my family or others. Comments were apparently made about how I afforded to turn my garage into my office and how much time I’m spending there. Yes, you may have seen videos/and pictures of me in the She-rage, but notice the times that they were made: 2am when I couldn’t sleep. Making the best of a time when I had nothing else to do, but drink in my garage doing the best I could not to wake up and add emotional strain to my already stir-crazy family. At this point, WineWives is not making me additional income, Covid overtime has funded the she-rage. The goal is to do so one day, but with the pandemic, 2020 is not going to be the year for that. But I’m passionate about this little business of mine, so I’m not giving up.
As a mother and human being: y’all, I’m on the struggle bus. Are y’all not? I’m thankful that I have a supportive husband, healthy babies, and continue to find good people as a result of this organization. Plus, the most amazing therapist has been essential in dealing with all the dealings of my life (pandemic work, school, family, the disorders of the country such as this movement to make everyone equal, etc.). I was at an emotional breaking point (little ptsd) about a month ago and some recent events and discussions don’t make it any better.
So all in all,
Give a girl a break. I’m doing the best I can to keep this group afloat so that women can continue to meet, grow, and make each other better. 2020 is almost over and I cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for The Winewives, but take a deep breath and ride it out with me. I promise it will be worth the wait. Plus, with a new job (daytime) and no school, I can dedicate the time that I used to without being exhausted and if you feel that you can make it better, join the team. We are always looking for help. I actually love constructive criticism and “yes men” make me uncomfortable. I think this has hit me the hardest because I value my character and take so much pride in people knowing that I do my best and am wholehearted. I leave you with this, be kind to others, for you don’t know if they are weathering their biggest storm.
Cheers xoxo,
Kevinnie Dreher
Most of you know me personally. You know I am transparent and honest. You know I care about my friends, my family, my career, and my business. The reason I am writing this is because it was brought to my attention that a small group of people were disappointed in what Winewives offered in 2020 and were fairly vocal about that disappointment recently. I want to discuss some things about the happenings of this business and the person behind it.
I’d like to share with you how being a nurse in 2020 has affected me personally to give you some background on these last 6-7 months. I have seen things that I would never wish on my worst enemy. The reason that I work med/surg is that I am able to care for complex disease processes and most often see them walk out of the door. Death is a rare occurrence. As I have floated to working the Covid unit, I’ve seen people drowning in their own saliva, panicking because they know that they are dying and have no way of seeing their loved ones, and even pregnant mothers under 30 praying to God that they make it and are able to see their babies in utero and their babies grow up dying just a day or two after symptoms. As a nurse, all I can do is do is my best to keep them comfortable, speak with their families, and fight until I have nothing to keep them alive. As a person who rarely dreams, the only time that I experience vivid dreams is usually with traumatic events. The only time that I remember vivid dreams was when we found my best friend hanging from her canopy bed when we were 17. I suffered with insomnia for years, fearful that I would dream and see that picture again. I sought therapy about a month ago when all I could see every time I closed my eyes was this young pregnant mother of 4 who I lost to Covid. My heart shatters and eyes well each and every time I think of her. Not to mention, I was fearful everyday that I would bring this virus home to my family including my son who has a respiratory illness so I spent my mornings taking surgical baths to ensure that they remained as safe as possible. I had many conversations with my husband where he just listened to me scream/cry. I was not ok. I am not ok. Working on it, but not ok.
Now I’d like to share with you how 2020 has affected me as a small business owner. Just as Covid shut everything down, we were planning our first event to start the new year here on the Northshore. As a nurse, I was scared to infect anyone that I was around so I may have shut things down prematurely, but let’s be honest: We are fighting a ghost. I would never forgive myself if I killed someone as a result of infection.
I, unfortunately, have an LLC registered under beverages with the Secretary of State (incase I ever decided to sell alcohol), so in late-March I made the tough decision to shutdown all Winewives operations (sent out a newsletter as well as put out an announcement or two on social media). We aren’t allowed to technically do anything until phase 3. I take the government’s mandates against gatherings very seriously. I have personally witnessed the results of not quarantining and following the rules. Those results are not something I’m willing to risk with my business which main mission involves gathering my friends into large groups to drink. There is a reason bars are closed. I’m not willing to expose myself or my business legally by not following these mandates. This is heartbreaking, but I’m not giving up on Winewives.
I still promoted The Winewives (so no one forgot about us) and had to fulfill some previously committed obligations such as Times Square which was done virtually. I did my best to alert everyone that things would be stalled. I am currently still paying taxes, but the business account has not had money in or out since February 22nd. I have worked my ASS off to build a brand over the last two years that is all inclusive and fosters a sisterhood. Driving to NOLA in December for a sip & shop after a 12 hour clinical day, spending 45 mins to an hour, then driving to the hospital for another 12 hour shift. I take my brand seriously and building it has been a passion.
An additional concern that I was told was discussed during this gathering is that I’m about influencers and getting my name out there. I’m friends with so many different women. Some of them are teachers, some are realtors, and some make their money using social media to share their lives with others. It’s not the primary focus of my business to work with influencers, but it would be crazy not to partner with women who have a great deal of influence and connections within the community. I boost them up as much as they boost me up. But while I cherish these friends and relationships, my brand has been entirely focused on organic growth. I haven’t paid for marketing and other services as I prefer word of mouth and appreciate seeing it grow with my hard work as well as the hard work of people on the team that assist me such as Jennifer. To say that my only focus is on marketing to influencers is an absolute insult.
As a business woman, I do see areas where I can grow and do a better job for sure, but isn’t that all part of growth? For example, we’ve had some delayed boxes. As an apology for the delay as I tried to figure out the best way to ship, I not only offered a free sipper membership for everyone in 2021, but stated just a week ago that we would be sending out “catch up” boxes for everyone that didn’t receive their packages during the pandemic. I am trying. That somehow wasn’t enough. I’m one person whose main priority is making it through this pandemic healthy both physically and mentally and not passing this on to my family or others. Comments were apparently made about how I afforded to turn my garage into my office and how much time I’m spending there. Yes, you may have seen videos/and pictures of me in the She-rage, but notice the times that they were made: 2am when I couldn’t sleep. Making the best of a time when I had nothing else to do, but drink in my garage doing the best I could not to wake up and add emotional strain to my already stir-crazy family. At this point, WineWives is not making me additional income, Covid overtime has funded the she-rage. The goal is to do so one day, but with the pandemic, 2020 is not going to be the year for that. But I’m passionate about this little business of mine, so I’m not giving up.
As a mother and human being: y’all, I’m on the struggle bus. Are y’all not? I’m thankful that I have a supportive husband, healthy babies, and continue to find good people as a result of this organization. Plus, the most amazing therapist has been essential in dealing with all the dealings of my life (pandemic work, school, family, the disorders of the country such as this movement to make everyone equal, etc.). I was at an emotional breaking point (little ptsd) about a month ago and some recent events and discussions don’t make it any better.
So all in all,
Give a girl a break. I’m doing the best I can to keep this group afloat so that women can continue to meet, grow, and make each other better. 2020 is almost over and I cannot wait to see what 2021 has in store for The Winewives, but take a deep breath and ride it out with me. I promise it will be worth the wait. Plus, with a new job (daytime) and no school, I can dedicate the time that I used to without being exhausted and if you feel that you can make it better, join the team. We are always looking for help. I actually love constructive criticism and “yes men” make me uncomfortable. I think this has hit me the hardest because I value my character and take so much pride in people knowing that I do my best and am wholehearted. I leave you with this, be kind to others, for you don’t know if they are weathering their biggest storm.
Cheers xoxo,
Kevinnie Dreher
RSS Feed