Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Mockler.
Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I first heard about Scout & Cellar at a local fundraiser in the fall of 2017. That night I met Lauren Ware who had recently joined the company as an independent wine consultant in addition to her full-time job as a lawyer.
She told me about a new company committed to sourcing clean wines from all over the world. It wasn’t until spring 2018 that I circled back with her when in the middle of an intense spring tax season I identified that I needed some creativity in my life. I immediately met with Lauren to further discuss how to join Scout & Cellar and create my own side-hustle.
In my first few months, I have had numerous wine tastings and recruited other women to join my team as well. It has been a fantastic opportunity to learn about various types of wines, alternative farming methods, and the unique stories of farmers utilizing biodynamic growing practices.
This has been one of the most energizing ventures I have started, and I am truly passionate about our mission and where we are headed as a company down the road.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As a full-time corporate tax consultant, the sales aspect of Scout & Cellar is a new arena for me. In the beginning, I was unsure of how to discuss the company and my new side-hustle in an organic way. It required the courage to say – “hey, this is something new I’m creating, and let me tell you about it.” I was humbled by the response of friends and peers by the clean-crafted initiative, and this gave me the confidence to find new ways to discuss Scout & Cellar.
Specifically, I began collaborating with other women who were starting their own businesses as well. These women have served as a sounding board, and we have been sharing best practices, resources, and ideas to promote each other and see each other’s businesses succeed. That kind of solidarity is something very powerful and inspiring to me.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Scout & Cellar is a Texas-based start-up that curates and delivers clean-crafted wine to your door. We essentially started when our founder and attorney-turned-sommelier Sarah Shadonix wanted to find a cleaner solution to wine drinking – ideally one that mitigated her day-after headaches. After years of extensive research, she discovered that the pesticides, chemicals, and additives included in mass-produced wine were the culprit. Thus, she made a commitment to distribute wine from vineyards that utilize zero chemicals during the growing or winemaking processes.
I am most proud of our mission to source natural wines in an effort to support people who lead or want to practice healthier lifestyles. I workout daily and typically follow a Paleo diet. Personally, Scout & Cellar wines allow me to engage in all of the things I love without having to feel guilty about what I put in my body.
I am also extremely proud of our mission to empower smaller vineyards and winemakers worldwide. Each Scout & Cellar wine has a personal connection to the winemaker, and I love sharing each story during my tastings. Partnering with farmers who are using sustainable, biodynamic farming methods is so important to me – it is good for the environment and great for small businesses who are also passionate about wine.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very driven and curious. I wanted to be involved in everything, and I wanted to achieve. Simultaneously, I wanted to learn as much as I could – whether that be at school, in sports, or through travel.
More than anything, I wanted to set a strong example for my five younger siblings to take chances and engage in areas they loved.
Pricing:
- $99 for a 4-bottle tasting set (mixed – red and white)
- $165 for a 6-bottle mixed tasting set (can receive monthly, every 2 months, or quarterly)
- $170 for a 6-bottle red tasting set (can receive monthly, every 2 months, or quarterly)
- $64 Holiday Cheer Gift Set – a bottle of a red blend and a bottle of Chardonnay
- $109 Merry Happy Joy Gift Set – a bottle of white sparkling wine, a Chardonnay, and a Cabernet Sauvignon
- $169 Cab Lovers Gift Set – 4 bottles of our favorite and most popular Cabernet Sauvignons
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scoutandcellar.com/taylormockler
- Phone: 225.572.1471
- Email: taylormockler.scoutandcellar@gmail.com
- Instagram: @winedandtaylored
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
