Hilary Cocalis is a proud fourth-generation entrepreneur. Even when she wasn't one, it was only a matter of time before the entrepreneurial bug would bite.
The Harvard graduate started Sipwell Wine Co. in 2021 after working for six years at Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits. With a love for wine but a desire not to waste a whole bottle when a single serving would suffice, Hilary created Sipwell, a canned wine brand made in Paso Robles, CA, with grapes sourced from the Central Coast.
Following the footsteps of fellow Tory Burch Foundation fellows like Nancey Harris, co-founder of Vontélle, Hilary applied for the 2023 Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition and took the runner-up prize. We checked in with her a few months later to see how the prize made a difference for Sipwell.
Enthuse Foundation (EF): Describe your experience competing in the 2023 Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition.
Hilary Cocalis (HC): The production quality of the event - both the in-person marketplace/mingling and the show's run for the competition - was incredibly well-produced. Every question I had about how things would go was answered quickly, both before the event and on the day of. I loved getting to know the other founders and finalists. I felt appreciated and valued as a finalist and an emerging founder, both by the Enthuse production staff and leadership and by the judges.
EF: Wow, we are so glad to hear that. You were also named runner-up at the Pitch Competition and received $5,000 and in-kind services from Enthuse Marketing. What impact did those winnings have on Sipwell?
HC: We used the $5,000 to fund an exclusive wine sponsorship at the Cymbiotika San Diego WTA 500 Open. It allowed for branding and activation on-site at the weeklong tennis tournament. It was our first major brand sponsorship activation and wouldn't have been possible without the grant. We sold nearly 50 cases of wine at the event. We got excellent community engagement, social media content, and new e-commerce customers out of being there. It opened doors to other potential area sponsorships in our home market that we are exploring as well.
EF: That's wonderful! What about the in-kind services?
HC: The strategy project that was the output of our in-kind services was incredibly helpful in crystallizing and refining our business and product proposition. It helped us to decide to focus on sparkling wines and helped to kick off a larger brand re-design and re-positioning project.
EF: What else has Sipwell been doing since the Pitch Competition besides the San Diego Open sponsorship and re-design?
HC: We shipped wine for our first major chain grocery placement, in Safeway NorCal. Tiny Victories (sparkling white) will be distributed in ~200 Safeway stores throughout Northern California. This is a huge growth opportunity for our business - entering a major grocery chain for the first time and entering a new market (NorCal). Also, I competed in the Naturally San Diego pitch competition in April. I took home the People's Choice prize, and we earned an Editor's Choice distinction and a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast for Rock Steady Sparkling Rosé. This means 3 of our core wines are now Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice selections. This type of recognition is huge to help prove the quality of our wine in a can.
EF: How have you stayed engaged with the Enthuse Foundation?
HC: I've loved the ongoing support that the Enthuse Foundation has provided - I felt very supported by having the Enthuse team at the Naturally San Diego Pitch Competition. I also appreciated the opportunity to tell my founder's story and family legacy of entrepreneurship during Black History Month. Editor's note: Check out Hilary's guest blog post "Entrepreneurship is in My Multi-Cultural DNA."
EF: We are so happy to have you and Sipwell in our community and can't wait to see what's next for you.
HC: Thank you so much!
The Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition is a stop on the entrepreneurial journey for finalists. They continue to stay engaged with the community through inclusion on our blog, meeting with other founders, and attending additional events. While business goes on, the accolade of being an Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition finalist stays with you. Want to be a part of it? Here's your chance. Apply to the 6th Annual Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition.
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