Shakia
Williams always had an appreciation for wine. When she and her now-husband,
Clifford, started dating, the couple savored moments together visiting wineries
and doing wine tastings. From there, she began working at wineries.
“I
learned how to operationalize a winery and make wine,” said Shakia, the owner
of Hatboro-based Cyrenity
Sips Winery, a micro-winery producing 16 staples and more than two dozen
seasonal favorites such as Marionberry wine.
By
2017, Shakia, whose career background is in corporate compliance, became a home
winemaker, churning out small batches in her Virginia Beach garage. The
Southwest Philadelphia native and her family relocated back to the City of
Brotherly Love in 2022 in tandem with the opening of the state’s first black
woman-owned wine tasting room, which is situated in Hatboro’s walkable downtown
business district.
Named
in part for her 22-year-old daughter, Cyan, Shakia coined Cyrenity Sips as an
ode to other sippable drinks – including coffee and tea – which she hopes to
make one day too. Together, she and Cyan produce 300 to 400 cases of wine per
year. Cyan serves as the tasting room manager.
“She
knows way more than I know,” Shakia said modestly. “She does wine education for
guests. She’s phenomenal.”
In
addition to onsite wine tastings and sales, Cyrenity Sips wines are available
at farmers markets in Warrington, Horsham and Philadelphia. The winery hosts
special events, private rentals, and offers unique fundraising opportunities.
“Our
winery is more than just a place to enjoy fine wine; it serves as a vibrant hub
for diversity and education,” Shakia said. “We aim to create a welcoming space
where people from all backgrounds can come together, learn about wine, and
celebrate the richness of our shared community.”
A
true family enterprise, Clifford acts as the “palate of the winery,” Shakia
noted.
“I
like to allow him to taste it first before we put it on the shelf,” she said.
“My motto is I’m not going to sell anything that I myself would not drink.”
While business has remained steady, Shakia sought to expand her winery’s
reach. She has been mentoring with SCORE Bucks County mentor Wayne King, who
helped refine her business plan and establish goals for 15 percent to 20
percent year-over-year revenue growth. Together they are planning two- and
three-year goals for the business.
“He was definitely helpful and instrumental in the increase in
revenue,” Shakia said, adding that she has seen a 15 percent uptick as compared
to last year.
Noting the winery’s penchant for creating custom labeling and
concocting out-of-the-box wine varietals, King said Shakia remains “open to
constructive input on strategies and changes to the business and customer
needs.”
“Shakia has tremendous passion for her business and has always
embraced challenges and opportunities head on,” King said. “Perhaps most
relevant is her customer centric focus on meeting or
exceeding expectations in every way.”
Recognizing the need to develop a robust marketing plan and
calendar of events for the winery, King introduced Shakia to SCORE Bucks County
mentor Leah Cianfrani, who helped in analyzing which winery events generated
income versus brand awareness. Cianfrani also guided Shakia in starting a
loyalty program and collaborating with a social media influencer to expand the
winery’s customer base.
One of the ways Cyrenity Sips stays cutting edge is to craft new
and different wines, including Dragon fruit, an affection for blue hues like
last year’s Cotton Candy, this year’s Blue Hawaiian and next year’s Blue
Raspberry wine.
Marionberry, this year’s surprise favorite, was crafted for
Shakia’s stepson’s birthday.
“It’s sweet. It’s tart,” she said. “It really embodies him.”
Shakia purchases juices from growers who undertake the stemming
process. From there, she ferments, bottles and labels wine on premises.
For now, diners at Flannel Restaurant in Philadelphia can enjoy
Cyrenity Sips. Shakia hopes to also have wines available at Amina restaurant
and at Philadelphia International Airport.
“I’d like to be in more restaurants. That’s my goal,” she said.
“I’d also like to be a preferred vendor for certain businesses.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each
year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more
than 375,000 new and growing small businesses.?With more than 70 members
across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties, SCORE Bucks?County?provides
over 4,300 free mentoring services annually to local small
business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business
seminars. To stay up to date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks
County’s email list. Text SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
