How Entrepreneur Neha Kumar Pushes Away Self-Doubt to Build Full Glass Wine Co.
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Senior Editor Marie Albiges interviews Neha Kumar, chief operating officer and co-founder of Full Glass Wine Co., a brand acquisition and management firm focused on revitalizing the direct-to-consumer wine market, and currently operating Winc, Bright Cellars, Wine Insiders, and Splash Wines. Listen in as Kumar details the genesis of Full Glass Wine and its brand acquisitions (1:10), the evolution of the wine industry subscription model (3:40), and the unique customer demographics of its four wine brands (5:30). She shares some of the biggest challenges in acquiring four brands in just over one year (8:15), leading through transformation (10:30), her goal to make Full Glass Wine a one-stop shop for all things wine (12:50), and the role technology plays in the business (15:10).
In addition, Kumar discusses owning first-party data (18:40), navigating state alcohol regulations (19:55), her career journey (21:15), and her advice to other entrepreneurial women (25:30). Lastly, she touches on what she achieves when she pushes away self-doubt and gets vulnerable (27:40), her self-care and wellness non-negotiables (32:00), and her goals for Full Glass Wine (35:10).
Neha Kumar is the co-founder and COO of Full Glass Wine Co., a trailblazing parent company shaping the future of the wine industry through pioneering direct-to-consumer brands. As a seasoned maven with over 14 years of experience, Neha is a changemaker in the world of startups and, through Full Glass Wine Co., is on a dynamic mission to cultivate the next wave of revolutionary consumer brands. In addition to founding Full Glass Wine Co., Neha is also a lecturer at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, where she has been teaching for over nine years.
Prior to launching her fund, Neha played a key role in Create & Cultivate’s rise to success, holding the helm as its COO and CFO until its successful majority stake acquisition by a private equity firm in 2021. Her prowess in deal-making came from her time in banking and shone brightly throughout her career. Now, alongside leading Full Glass Wine Co., Neha utilizes her experience to teach high net worth women the ins and outs of investing and deal-making with the Women’s Abundance Collective. Neha received her undergraduate degree from the esteemed University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and her MBA from the University of Southern California (USC).
Date: September 3, 2024
Credits: Neha Kumar
Duration: 37:15
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