We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Danielle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
This is actually my second business in the wedding industry. I was a professional wedding planner for thirteen years. I knew that as much as I ‘love love’, I was tiring of the service part of the industry. I needed to find a way to make money in my sleep while still catering to this industry.

As a planner, I was constantly pouring it! Whether a bride needed to calm down, the girls just wanted to have fun while getting ready or in preparation for the toast, this product is poured all day at wedding celebrations. I clearly remember the day that God told me my next assignment would be to launch a champagne brand. And now here I am, about one year away from that vision!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve realized that what may seem like ‘all over the place’ to some is definitely an order of steps. I obtained a BSN and was a pediatric nurse for five years. The patience and empathy that has to be shown when taking care of ill children was a great skill that was needed as a wedding planner. It was the first place I learned to deal with overbearing moms. :).

With the goal of becoming a pediatric hospital administrator, I immediately enrolled in graduate school. In 2001, I earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management. It was in graduate school that I realized how much I enjoyed and excelled in Project Management.

I planned my own wedding and afterwards, my desire to run a pediatric hospital went right out the door. I decided, instead, that I wanted to become a wedding planner. Planning and executing a ceremony and reception is project management at its finest; adding love to that made this the perfect career for me. This was my “why”.

Honestly, all of the above came easily to me. So launching this champagne brand has been the most challenging undertaking I’ve had since MBA econ. First there was the challenge of visiting Champagne, France and not speaking French at all. Then there was the Master of Champagne Examination. I passed on the second attempt. Now the challenge is working to finalize the product itself through COVID. I’ve learned that ‘no’ means ‘not now’ and I’ve definitely become more patient.

I want people to know that this champagne is dedicated to love!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow! There is an endless list of people who have been with me on this journey since I first started the Master of Champage Program. Too many to list or it’d be longer than this article. The love and encouragement from my friends and framily is overwhelming. I definitely have to shoutout my business coach Marilyn Battiel (http://marilynbattiel.org/). She has provided me with a clear plan for launching a product and now I’m just working through those steps towards my God-given purpose.

Instagram: samschampagnelife

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.danielle57

Image Credits
Pink dress photo: Jason McCoy Photography

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