Vin Noir Explorers & Importers

I recently had the honor of giving my first-ever talk and I want to thank the amazing ladies at ExodUS for inviting me to be a Spotlight Coach during their session.

The session theme was “Make Your Session More Impactful,” aligning beautifully with “More Move Abroad Money.” My focus was on how to build an import/export business, and how I’ve been doing exactly that through VNE Importers, my wine importing company built on passion, storytelling, and connection.

The ExodUS ASAP membership community, founded in November 2024, is an inspiring space designed to help Black women accelerate their move abroad. I was truly impressed by the variety of exciting business ideas these women are developing, from creative startups to global ventures. It’s a powerful, supportive community of women turning vision into reality.

Now, if you know me, you know public speaking is not my comfort zone. I’m a businesswoman who prefers doing the work behind the scenes, not standing in front of a crowd with all eyes on me. But this was a challenge I was ready to face. And since the topic was about business, I wanted to make sure it was meaningful and practical.

We talked about finding your “why” - the reason behind your business and passion. Because yes, passion matters… but where do you start? What are the real steps to bring that idea to life?

I shared that sometimes it’s as simple as just getting started:

• Build a list with clear goals, target activities, and dates.

• Research what you can and stay curious.

• Focus on relationships with vendors, suppliers, and customers. Those connections are the heartbeat of your business.

• And yes, don’t forget the less glamorous but necessary side of business: forms, licensing, and taxes. It’s not the fun part, but it’s part of the foundation.

We also touched on building your brand and making sure it reflects you. Your brand should be authentic, personal, and story-driven. Standardize your templates, make your processes scalable, and keep your message consistent.

Start Small! Define your customers and brand identity. Determine your long-term goals, what makes you different, what’s non-negotiable, and what you truly stand for.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with ExodUS, and for the incredible energy in that room. This experience reminded me that stepping outside your comfort zone can open doors you never knew were waiting