Sociologie Wines’ Amy Hampton dishes on the wine business

amy hampton
Amy Hampton is the founder and CEO of Sociologie Wines LLC. Born and raised in Texas, just outside Fort Worth, Hampton’s well-rounded life experiences shaped her naturally witty, gracious, and vibrant personality. She’s a graduate of Hampton University and Meharry Medical College.

Hampton has held rewarding leadership roles within the health and academic arenas; nonetheless she always had an instinctive creative passion and flair for fashion and entertaining.


As a dedicated community volunteer, she lives by the mantras “lift as you climb” and “each one, teach one.” Amy enjoys mentoring, inspiring and, empowering people. She serves as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Junior League of Dallas and The Fort Worth Assembly. Hampton currently resides in Dallas with her husband, Dr. Darian Hampton.


Rolling out recently sat down with the oh-so-fabulous Amy Hampton to chat about what inspires her and more. –celia walker

What inspired you to get into the wine making business?
Sociologie Wines™ began as a beloved party favorite surrounded by lively music, wonderful conversation, and lovely family friends. Starting in my very own kitchen and using my entertaining soirées as inspiration, I customized an assortment of sangria tailored to each celebratory occasion.  For many years, I graciously prepared and served refreshing sangria with delicious fruits and delightful natural ingredients! Soon guests began requesting my yummy sangria and I found myself preparing and bottling my recipes as party flavors. Then, demand multiplied with each added guest at every delightful celebration!


How long was the process of developing your own company — concept to commercialization?
I have a designated ‘creative room’ in my home that have tons and tons of concept boards, fabric swatches, vintage magazines and marketing books. It has taken about four years of developing the concept, gaining the courage to follow my dream, finding the right people to bring my dream into realization and building relationships to land new store accounts to feature my product.

Your bottle and packaging are so fun and unique … how did you come up with the concept?
While perusing the wine store shelves, I noticed that the market lacked  wine that reflective a stylish sensibility, so I decided to create my own. With this in mind, I browsed my closet and coordinated my favorite ‘approachable-glamourous’ looks from my very own closet. Then teamed with an amazing fashion artist and creative branding company to create a collection of wine bottles that captured the art and science of being socially chic.

How much of a challenge, if any, did you face being one of few women of color in this business?
The wine and spirits world is dynamic and very relationship based. I have faced very few challenges because the arena has opened greatly due to the expansion of more diverse wine drinkers.

What is the greatest challenge that you have faced on your road to success?
The greatest challenge that I have faced building Sociologie Wines is perfecting the “art and science” of not allowing to many “good ideas” to dilute my original vision for the brand.

What advice would you give aspiring young women who are interested in a career in your field?
The wine and spirits business is based on hospitality, relationships and  resourcefulness. It is the best career because you meet and work with individuals around the globe. I recommend young ladies to be  approachable, knowledgeable, adaptable and deliver winning outcomes.

Can you share a few keys to your success?
My keys to success is harnessing my passionate creativity, constructing a strategic vision, maintaining a positive outlook and relying on my God-given instinct to move in the best direction.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Absorbing the glossy pages of my favorite fashion and lifestyle magazines while eating Pink-berry. Also, watching my favorite shows such as “The Rachel Zoe Project,” “House of Fab,” “Fashion Police” and “Project Runway” every week.

Who or what inspires you?
I see art in humanity. I gather inspiration from sharing wonderful life experiences with family and friends, meeting new people and exploring the world.

If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?
I love to travel to Beijing and experience the Great Wall of China.

If you could talk to your 18-year-old self, what would you tell her?
Umm, that is a great question! I would tell my 18 year old self, do not be afraid to be daring, different and fabulous! Take the leap of faith and go for your dreams, now!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for Rolling Out news straight to your inbox.

Read more about:
Also read