The document summarizes key points from a presentation given at the 2015 ND Grape and Wine Association Annual Meeting on starting a winery or vineyard business. It cautions that it is a business with no guarantees of success, requiring skills that can be taught like production, marketing, management and sales. It lists the top 10 things business owners should consider, including passion, understanding the difference between dreams and opportunities, marketing to customers, legal and family support, and having resources and skills to handle risks. Resources for funding and support are provided.

1. Glenn Muske
Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist
Glenn.Muske@ndsu.edu
February, 2015
The Winery and Vineyard Business:
2015 ND Grape and Wine Association
Annual Meeting

2. The Starting Point
What’s your #1
question right
now?

3. REMEMBER!
• It is a business!!!!
• There are no guarantees regarding success.
• You can’t, and won’t, please everyone.
• You may feel alone, but you’re not.
• Running a business is largely a skill that can be
taught.
• It is not a 9 to 5, 40-hour per week
undertaking.

4. To Tell The Truth:
Small Business Myths
Get Rich Quick!
If you build it, they will come.
You have to be born an entrepreneur
“I’ll have all this free time…”
The government is against you.
It gets easier.
It’s all about the bottom line – A half-truth!

5. Biz Owners’ Top 10 List

6. #10
Can you say
NO!

7. #9
Understand:
1. Dreams ≠ Ideas
2. Ideas ≠ Opportunities

8. #8 - Do you have the skills?
Production
Technical
Marketing
Management
Sales
Fiscal Management
People
Jack/Jill of all trades

9. #7
Do you have resources?
And are you ready/able to risk them?

10. #6 - Do you know your market?
Your customer?
What’s your plan for
letting them know
you exist?
Your competition?
What’s your advantage?
Can you maintain it?

11. You must be online!

12. #5
Are you legal?
Business name
Sales and Use Tax Permit
Health Dept.
Dept. of Agriculture – State and Federal
FDA

13. #4
Does your family support you?

14. #3
Are you a “people person?”

15. #2
Are you a bobo doll?

16. #1
Do you have PASSION?

17. • YOU!!
• North Dakota
– Ag Products Utilization Committee (APUC)
– Dept of Ag Specialty Crops
• ND Development Fund
• SARE
• USDA
– AFRI Food Security, Beginning Farmer/Rancher
Development Program
• Local bankers and other options
• Other ??

18. Glenn Muske
Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist
NDSU Extension Center for Community Vitality
Glenn.Muske@ndsu.edu
Questions??
Resources:
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/smallbusiness
http://powerofbusiness.net
http://www.extension.org/entrepreneurship