Molly Moran is the owner of five-year-old Table Wine in the Atwood neighborhood. “I wanted to create a space where people could learn about wine in an approachable way,” says Moran. “We focus on affordable wines, which obviously varies depending on people’s budgets.” Learn about Molly Moran…
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
First job: I started babysitting at a young age. I was the kid who so desperately wanted to grow up and be an adult, and so I quickly became the neighborhood babysitter. I never spent a cent of what I made. I was super thrifty for no good reason.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WI: Does staring in awe and wonderment at the lakes count? Seriously, I love living in Madison because of how beautiful it is. I try to take advantage of this wonderful city and its surroundings whenever I can, whether that’s ice skating, hiking or swimming.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: When I was getting ready to open Table Wine, people kept calling me brave, and I didn’t really understand why. Being my own boss is something I’ve always known I wanted to do. After the shop opened, I then said to all those friends that if I had known how big the cliff was before I jumped off, I’m not sure I would have done it. Entrepreneurship is no easy task, so I take pride in this business every day.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Someday, I’ll write a memoir about opening a wine shop in a beer town. Carving out my own space has been challenging. I’m grateful that people have trusted us to show them that wine is fun and interesting.
Someone who inspires you and why: Thought leader and all-around amazing person, Brené Brown. I learn so much from her, both about myself and about how people interact. I love implementing what I learn from her in my business. It’s led to me shaping my business with both my heart and my head.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: There are lots of places that people can buy wine, so think about why you want to sell wine and live your life with that purpose. For me, I wanted to forge a path outside of the “boys’ club” of wine, the one where wine is expensive and stodgy and only a small segment of the population is allowed in.
Favorite quote: I’m not really one for quotes, but last night I came across this quote while reading with my nine-year-old daughter: “She’s an army unto herself.”
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I am terrible at geography. It’s always a trip when I start talking about geography in wine classes because that information doesn’t come easily to me.
What makes someone fabulous: Dancing to their own beat. Living life with joy and gratitude. Smashing the patriarchy.
Photo credit: Ruthie Hauge