Written by: Featured News

K.I.S.H. Magazine Exclusive Interview featuring Shayla Varnado!

KISH: Tell us about you.. 

I’m a wine lover, wife, dog mom, and Target obsessed! Fashion was my first passion in life and what I studied in school. I later fell in love with wine and started exploring and studying it.

KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others? 

Shayla: My dream is to build Black Girls Wine Society into an international organization and network for wine education, leadership development, and sisterhood for Black women. 

KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream? 

Shayla: I don’t know that I have a who or what that specifically inspired me to pursue this dream. I saw a major gap in the industry and wanted to create a space for Black women leaders to feel comfortable and confident about learning more on their wine journey. 

KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream? 

Shayla: There have been plenty of challenges along the way! Whew! COVID-19 happening in our second year of existence was a complete surprise. The pivot required for us to be able to make it through the pandemic was unexpected but ended up being a great experience. 

KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered? 

Shayla: I’m motivated by the possibility of how much of a blessing this organization will be for so many women. My husband reminds me of the bigger vision I talked about so much in the beginning and pushes me no matter how tough it gets. 

KISH: Please provide final thoughts/advice for others by finishing this sentence… dream.

Shayla: Dream BIG. Dream BIGGER than BIG. Work until the dream comes true. 

Last modified: August 19, 2021