YOU ARE ENOUGH.

BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO

I started in the wine world at Deer Run Winery about 17 years ago. Since then I have worked in many hospitality fields and love the hospitality world. Every job I had led to this and every boss I had taught me what type of boss I wanted to be (and sometimes what I did not want to be).

What made you decide to recently take over the reins at Flight Wine Bar? Why a wine bar?

I was hired to manage a beautiful wine bar Via Girasole in Pittsford, about 10 years ago, and it was a great job, until covid hit. When Flight wine bar came up for sale, I jumped back into the wine world as my own boss and I love it.

Tell us about the plans for Flight, and what changes you have made.

WOW! We have already made so many cosmetic changes. Took out the front benches and added high tops, painted and covered all of the chairs (with a lot of help from my friend Kathie Swackhamer), my husband is a very handy man and has made every idea I have happen. I am currently working on adding live jazz to Flight Wine Bar with the help of the Jazz man himself, Mel Henderson.

Who are some of the people that helped inspire you, especially in your business journey. So many people gave me a chance when I had little or no experience.

George and Joan Kuyon are the owners of Deer Run Winery and they hired me when I knew nothing about wine. They both were very sweet, family oriented people who loved to share their knowledge of wine and food pairing and that is when I fell in love with local wines. Then Nicole McLean gave me a chance to manage her brand new wine bar Via Girasole on Schoen Place. We had so much fun planning events. Nicole also made you feel like you are part of the family and alwasy took the time to teach me more about wine.

Did you always want to be an entrepreneur? What did you do prior to taking over flight?

I was a stay at home Mom of 5 very busy kids and never thought about owning my own business. When I went back into the full time working world, I worked at Deer Run Winery, managed liquor stores and restaurants, Via Girasole Wine Bar, event venues and catering. One day I said to my husband “if I am going to keep working this hard, I want it to be for us”. I really missed the wine world and started looking for my own place.

What is your favorite wine and why? That’s a trick question lol. I definitely gravitate towards dry reds and dry sparkling wines. However, I am smart enough to know not only do my tastes change all of the time but a wine I do not typically like, when paired with the right food can quickly become a favorite. The best part about wines is how different they all are. We experience something new every day.

Tell us about some of your goals and dreams for you personally and professionally. I think I hit most of my personal goals. I don’t think it gets much better then owning a wine bar and having a great family. Professionally, I have started using as many local businesses I can. Bonus if it is a Woman owned business. I am also working on giving back to the community. We offer several ways to fund raise at Flight Wine Bar and have a few on the calendar. I have been donating to local fundraisers and support the organizations our staff is involved with, like Wild Wings.

How do you balance being an entrepreneur and all of its challenges with your family life?

The only way I could be doing this is with the support of our family. It helps that our children are all adults. I can not imagine how young families manage. It also helps our kids and friends like wine, beer and cider. They stop by all the time to see us. I found a job I can drink wine, cook food and socialize. It really is the best!

If you could do one thing you have never done, what would it be and why?

I would like to volunteer in our community. Through Flight, I have met Gwen Clifton who is opening a woman’s shelter in the city and the way she glows when she talks about it. Not only is she helping these women but you can tell she is doing something for herself spiritually at the same time. I am hoping to get more involved with Gwen’s shelter once that time comes.

What is one piece of advice you have been given that you have never forgotten ?

My husband is constantly telling me that I deserve this. I think as women, we never give ourselves enough credit and praise. I always worried I didn’t know enough, have enough experience, did not have a college diploma.... but it really does come down to hard work and dedication to get where you want to be.

What’s the most important risk you’ve ever taken? How did it play out for you?

I think it is every new job. It is always so scary to start a new job. Some days “fake it till you make it” was my mantra.

How do you continue to constantly grow both personally and professionally? What have been some things that have worked well for you, and some that have not. Personally I try to make sure we always have time for our kids. Still love Sundays dinners (even if it’s not every Sunday). When we get all of the kids together it is such a laugh fest! They are all competitive, snarky and very funny. Professionally I am just trying to learn something new every day and make new connections. Rochester is such a beautiful city and everyone I have met wants to help each other.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

I would have moved faster towards owning my own place. Again, I never gave myself enough credit that I could ever be my own boss. Never thought I was smart enough or had enough education. I am always telling my daughters to aim big. They are all such hard workers and deserve it all.

I would also have taken advantage of networking much more early on. We have so many ways to meet new people who can help us along our journey. Visit Rochester and BOSSY are a couple of examples of ways to meet friendly people who want to support each other. When I need to find something or someone. I make 1 call and get several suggestions for what I am looking for.

It’s like having an enormous group of family and friends by your side.

What are the 3 must have items for a wine bar?

A smile, cleanliness and great wine. If you have those 3 things customers will be happy and want to come back. Smiles are very infectious.

What do the 5 S’s in wine tasting stand for?

• SEE: Look at the wine, what do you see? Color, legs, ...

• SWIRL: Give it air. Swirl the wine a couple times.

• SNIFF: What do you smell? Smell is the main sense used in wine tasting.

• SIP: What do you taste?

• SAVOR:

The best part is this can be something different for everyone

What are your plans for the next 3 years at Flight?

To have as much fun as possible. We are currently working on a new menu for the spring with Rochester themed flights, wine classes, live jazz, fund raisers, happy hours, private parties, Stella Glass engraving nights, beer tastings, bridal showers, corporate happy hours, engagement parties, ........ You name it we are working on it.