Today we’d like to introduce you to Keri Henry.
Keri, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a daughter of two wonderful longtime Houstonians, Dr. Stephen and Julie Fletcher, lucky wife to longtime Houstonian Vernon Henry, mom of two hopefully longtime Houstonians Shelby (6) and Lanie (4), and dog-mom to two rescue mutts Fancy and Trudy. I have a degree in International Studies with a minor in Spanish and a Grad Certification in Advanced International Affairs. After grad school, I struggled to find a career I was passionate about. I bounced from corporate world to teaching to freelance work with food photographers. I found that my love has always been anything in the arts, especially culinary arts. I enjoy creating beautiful dishes, styling and photographing them. I recently found a way to channel that passion into my new career in wine. The new career did not start until this last year, shortly after Hurricane Harvey. Hurricane Harvey turned just about every Houstonian’s world upside down. For me, it wasn’t my house flooding, but seeing the distress calls of others via Facebook (FB). I was sitting and watching continuous posts on social media for help, nobody was getting through to 911, something had to be done. All I knew to do was to write down the addresses, names, and phone numbers of those begging for help within surrounding neighborhood FB groups. I figured their phones would be running low on battery soon, and someone else could at least call the police for them. I had my list of about 25 victims, but what I also had was a list of about 15 names of boaters (FB friends started sending me names of people who had boats). I finally get through to the fire marshall at 1 am on August 28. The dispatcher quickly tried to get my information to rescue me, “I am not flooded.” Confused she asks, “Why are you calling?” “I am calling on behalf of 25 families that could not get through to you. Can you please take their information and dispatch boats?” “Ma’am I’m so sorry, we cannot take your information unless you have names, addresses, phone numbers, how high the water is, any medical needs, how many people” “I don’t have that for everyone, they need help asap.” She took as many as she could with my limited information. After that, I said, ” I also have for you a list of about 15 boaters who want to help.” She said, “I’m sorry but we cannot take any boat volunteer information at this time.” Shocked and stuck, there was only one thing to do. Start matching boats to these victims. The boaters were ready to get to work, and NONE of them wanted to stop until there were no more people to rescue. I teamed up with incredible people who saw my posts, and others, looking for more boats and more victims, and they also wanted to help. They shared, they commented, they gave helpful information, they formed their own dispatch teams, they sent their husbands out in boats to rescue people, the got in the disgusting water to save animals, they formed entire websites, they created massive food prep and delivery operations, they raised money for their neighborhood, they didn’t sleep, they helped. We all helped. It turned my world upside down and gave me an entirely new outlook on life.
This is where my new business come in, as well as my fight to save my niece’s life. During those long days and weeks post-Harvey, I reconnected with a friend from college, who saw what I was doing and helped me with relief efforts. She came over one evening to gift me a bottle of wine, and that single bottle of wine leads to my new career and passion. I needed something to call my own, something to help our family financially, something fun. She works full-time, yet started her own wine business selling this delicious “clean-crafted wine”. I listened, tried the wine, and immediately fell in love (plus I felt great the next day since these wines are free from any nasty chemicals and added sugar). I knew that this company was going to get big, and because this was a brand new start up, I wanted to be a part of it in its first year. I started with Scout & Cellar in November, have reached one of the top promotions in the company, have acquired lasting friendships, and some very happy customers. I can grow my business on my own terms, around my children, my husband, helping Houston, and helping my niece. My 6-year-old niece Caroline suffers from a rare and debilitating neurodegenerative disease similar to one called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Her muscles are atrophying all over her tiny body, and time is our enemy. My father is a pediatric neurosurgeon who has, over than span of 5 years, miraculously orchestrated a team of scientists, researchers, and doctors, that have found a cure! My mission has been to spread awareness, help with fundraising, and help put smiles on Caroline’s face. Through community relief efforts, my wine business, and “Curing Caroline,” I have developed such a wonderful connection to my city, and the people that make it INCREDIBLE.
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?
There’s always a bit of a learning curve when you start a new job or career, and the fear that you won’t know what the heck you are talking about! Especially when entering an entirely new industry! For my specific wine company, there’s an option to work the business part-time, however, I decided I wanted to commit to working the business full-time. I knew the company had something unique to offer, and I knew that our owner had high integrity. I told myself that all of the little bumps in the road would be worth it. I saw it as a marathon and not a sprint. I just needed to put my head down and run. Don’t get bogged down by all of the details in your new business, and don’t listen to the “haters” that don’t support you! For my work, in particular, I knew I just needed to start sharing my business with people, book wine tastings and give people the gift of “worry-free” wine. I could learn more and more about wine along the way, I could build prettier websites and marketing materials later. I knew what I needed to do to grow, and I focussed on that. Another tip: it’s not always as easy as some people make it look on social media, so don’t let that get to you!
As far as fundraising and supporting a cause you are passionate about, I say: talk to others doing the same, get out there, ask questions, setup meetings, join support groups, create genuine awareness, and always make it fun. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people, with your same passion, will open so many doors. Get out there, socialize!
We’d love to hear more about Scout & Cellar Clean-Crafted Wine.
I own a “clean-crafted” wine business through the company Scout & Cellar. Scout & Cellar’s mission is to discover the world’s most delicious clean-crafted wine and deliver it right to your doorstep. Because we believe everyone deserves to have a cleaner, healthier option for wine. The company chose the e-commerce route and the direct sales route because this enables people like me, the build their own careers through wine, while working from anywhere. It also has helped so many wonderful family-owned boutique wineries get their names on the map! What sets our wine apart is the fact that we lab test each wine to make sure they don’t contain any of the 300 added chemicals commonly found in most mass-produced wine, including sugar. We spread the word through wine tastings, social media, and business to business partnerships. We build our wine business through wine sales and team building. Since the company is Texas-based, the majority of our wine reps are in Texas, however, we are looking to grow all over the US. I help my business partners get their wine business up and running by training them locally, or through zoom, conference calls if they live outside of Texas. If you love wine and want a fun side hustle, call me! I am super responsive to my team members, I love to have fun, and I love to celebrate team success.
We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think many female leaders don’t know yet that they are female leaders. My “moment” happened when my instinct kicked in to help others in need. I found some sort of calling within, that had been dormant until it was manifested by one large evil storm. Something beautiful came from something terrible, especially when it came to humans helping humans. I know that my niece’s disability, and the courage that she, at six (!), has shown through this, will leave an incredibly powerful legacy, and she will help so many others. We have to have the ability to recognize these moments and turn what can often be tragic, into an opportunity to grow. We have to act on what drives us and gives us passion, otherwise, what’s the point?
It’s really scary taking that leap and worrying about what other’s think; but in the end, you have to reassess your relationships with those around you that might be holding you back. One of the biggest things holding us back from pursuing these dreams can be as simple as comparing ourselves to others on social media. I am constantly on social media. It was my tool to help people during Harvey, its a wonderful tool for my business. But I also know what elements of social media are unhealthy for me. I can follow the flawless Instagram accounts, but if those don’t help me grow but make me feel “less than,” I immediately unfollow. I have had some friends tell me that it’s a little intimidating asking me to help them with something or asking about my business because “You’re so busy.” This is frustrating because we have to find a good balance of keeping others informed about our successful businesses, and the wonderful things we want to share in life, yet, not come across as too busy for those who want to be close to us. I always respond with, “Give me three dates you are free, I’ll check my calendar, and we’re going to hang out.” My last thought is that women are oftentimes competitive and comparative. We compare ourselves to others and this will ultimately hold us back. Focus on you. I’m constantly reminding myself of this. As far as competitiveness, use it only to drive you, but don’t hold other women back with this. There is enough business for everyone in just about every industry. Help lift up other women, it will only turn out for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clean-wine.com
- Phone: 713-705-4798
- Email: keri.scoutandcellar@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keri_henry/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kerihenry500
- Other: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/texans-start-do-it-yourself-rescue-effort-in-the-wake-of-hurricane-harvey/2017/09/03/8255e22a-90fb-11e7-8482-8dc9a7af29f9_video.html?utm_term=.2470262d0903
Image Credit:
Photo of “Curing Caroline” by MK Stallings Photography
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