In 2006, Chloe Beard and her two sisters, Sybil Ajay and Elizabeth Downing, launched Springboard Wine Company from a spare bedroom in one of their homes. Six years later, they are not only growing but hitting their stride.
The upstart wine brokering and distributing company recently departed digs in San Rafael and is now occupying about 1,400 square feet of office space in Novato. The sisters employ 18 sales representatives covering a territory that spans from Humboldt County to San Diego. In addition to the existing office staff of six, Beard said they plan to add two more sales reps next year and also transition two part-time employees to full time.
“We are doing $7.5 million in sales this year and we are projecting a sales growth of 25 percent for next year,” Beard said.
The sisters believe that they are developing a business model that is “financially healthy and sustainable over the long haul.” Beard said Springboard is positioned to assist smaller family-owned wineries.
“We fill a need," she said. "These smaller labels are really under-represented.”
On the distribution side, Springboard sells largely to independent restaurants and retailers. However Beard said they have been successful in placing their stable of labels in larger retail outlets such as Beverages and More and Whole Foods.
“Ultimately, we aim to double our current sales volume over the next five years,” Beard said.
Not a bad leap from the bedroom for the aptly named Springboard Wine Company.
Learn more by checking out Springboard's website.
