JJ welcomes Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America.
In This Episode:
-Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she’s lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers.
-What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer.
-From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company.
-Starting from a “clean slate”: In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers.
-How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business:
-A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more “recognizable” wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service.
-Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message.
Connect:
Sheila Donohue | Verovino
Website: Verovino.com
YouTube: Vero Vino
Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto
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Tawney Noriega:
https://www.venturacountybusinesswomen.com/tn-services
JJ Flizanes:
Ventura County Business Women:
https://www.venturacountybusinesswomen.com/
About the Podcast:
West Coast Women Rising is where business meets personal evolution. Hosted by Tawney Noriega and JJ Flizanes, this podcast is a space for honest conversations around identity, growth, community, and what it really takes to build a business and life that feels aligned.
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