Skinny Champagne owner wins with 'thick skin'

If you are a journalist turned entrepreneur? Get thick skinned says Amanda Thomson, the creator of the world's first 'skinny' champagne. Thomson is a former BBC Broadcaster who is CEO of the Skinny Champagne brand. She didn't have too much money to support her initially and so she went with her gut. And grapes. Her passion for Champagne made her move to France - with her husband and  two children in tow - to study wine. Under the mentorship of Gerard Basset OBE, she launched her brand after earning a diploma from Le Cordon Bleu. Skinny Champagne is a sugarless Champagne- meant to be a weight watcher - and is currently being served at Nobu Berkeley Street.

Starting a new venture as a woman with no prior experience in business meant Thomson faced problems finding funds. She admits that she spent no money on marketing and that all the publicity she got has been through word-of-mouth. In an interview with Made in Shoreditch she said, “Journalists have been surprised when I turn up at their door instead of a courier company.”

In an interview with Womenthology she confessed that the wine business is conceived as an “old boys club.” She added that coming from a journalistic background; she was used to making her own way in a male-dominated culture and that helped her along the way. She also mentioned that traditionally vineyards in France were usually passed from fathers to sons without much interference from women. But recently some women have been taking over the vineyards too, stirring a change. Breaking the champagne-glass ceiling.

Thomson's recipe for success has been to use her ability to be understanding and empathetic to deal with clients. She mentions an incident where a courier company couldn’t find a client's residence to deliver her Champagne, she cancelled dinner and sorted out the problem herself. She believes if she were a consumer that’s how she would want to be treated.  "And as the company grows, the personal touch must remain at the core.”

According to Thomson some of her work ethic and struggle also comes from staying strong. And having a thick skin. "I have learnt that a lot of people will want you to fail and here you have to smile and put in those invisible earplugs," she insists. "Thick skin as an entrepreneur is essential. Only ever cry quietly to yourself.” She now wishes to expand her business and plans to launch other Champagnes in the near future.

Source: Womanthology

Made in Shoreditch