Chrishon Lampley
Who is Chrishon Lampley and tell us something about you that nobody knows.
I am a woman, a wine enthusiast, a sports fan, and an entrepreneur. One thing people may not know is that I enjoy playing football.
Give us three words to explain how the year 2014 has been for you. Amazing, life-affirming, and a blessing.
Explain how these three words are motivation for both of your brands Love, Cork, Screw and Lampley Cigars?
These words symbolize the passion that I have within me. I don’t do anything in life without giving it my all. If my passion isn’t there, then my heart isn’t in it and it doesn’t work. What has made LCS and Lampley cigars successful is, because my love of wine and cigars is something I love to share with people. It comes from an authentic place.
Give us the backstory of how you started, what were some of your challenges, how did you overcome those challenges and what would you highlight as a success thus far?
I overcame the challenges by not giving into defeat, maintaining healthy relationships, surrounding myself with inspirational and creative people and having a positive outlook.
How do you envision your competition?
As cliché as it sounds, my biggest competition is me. Wine is one of the oldest beverages in the world, it has been enjoyed for centuries so its not about finding people who enjoy it, its about me challenging myself to come up with creative ways to make sure people connect with the overall experience of drinking wine and smoking cigars.
Who would you say is your role model or been the most influential and why?
I would have to say my parents. They sacrificed so much for this little black girl from the SouthWest burbs of Chicago. I owe everything to them.
Outside of working, what order would you number the following? Maxing out your credit cards from shopping, Taking selfies during ladies night out, Getting 8 hours of sleep, Diva day with mani & pedi, Reading a book by Zane
1) Getting 8 hours of sleep
2) Diva day with mani & pedi
3) Fun times with the family and those that matter most.
4) Taking selfies during ladies night out
5) Maxing out your credit cards from shopping
6) Reading a book by Zane
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m always working on something. At this point I just launched the cigars so I’m hitting the grind. Trying to take Lampley Cigars and LCS to the next level. Stay tuned.
What advice would you give to other women looking to follow their passion and start a business?
Do what you love, find out if there is a market for it, and grind.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now and how would you like people to remember you and your company?
I see myself surrounded by great friends, family, and wine, continuing to expand my small empire and inspiring others to do so as well.
Click here to learn more about Chrishon Lampley & the brand Love Cork Screw featured on You & Me in the Morning
How Chrishon went from Zero to 1 Hundred
Within a year, Chrishon Lampley has literally taken her brand Love Cork Screw from Zero to 1 Hundred! The sophisticated and sexy lifestyle brand offers six varietals; Good Times, Good Friends: a very simple, crisp white Pinot Grigio with pear notes; We’re Moving On Up, which is a top seller and a 2005 Red Cabernet from California; Hard Knock Life is a Concord wine and brings in wine newbies with its subtle sweetness; Touch The Sky, a Niagara white wine from the Niagara grape, is another good introduction selection; In Too Deep, a Brusecco wine is a brute styled carbonated varietal which increases popularity around the holiday’s; and Head Over Heels is a seductive Sweet Riesling. Great wine does not have to be complicated. LCS is an affordable, mid-tier wine, ranging in price from $11 to $22 and are produced from two local vineyards in Michigan and Illinois.
Although the Love Cork Screw brand is thriving, Chrishon was not an overnight success. While working as a wine distributor, Chrishon developed a list of prominent contacts and always knew that this relationship would be a valuable asset in the near future. With aspirations and a plan she was able to apply the knowledge of being a wine distributor and open a popular lounge on the southside of Chicago. From 2009-2011, Chrishon and business partners Tiffany Taylor and Glenn Murray owned the Three Peas Art Lounge that catered to the social elite of Chicago. Many would stop by just to ask Chrishon about wine pairings and learn about new wines. Unfortunately in 2011, the Art Lounge closed due to a flood which forced Chrishon to pursue, The Love Cork Screw Blog. The “Love” portion features discussions around my love life and various experiences, “Cork” features discussion on wine, and “Screw” is the wild card, the unexpected aspects about life and love. This though provoking blog was an avenue for both men and women to express their honest and true feelings about relationships. Even after having a successful blog, Chrishon experienced the nature of the "good ole boys club", as she began to forge ahead and establish LCS. In a male-dominated industry, Chrishon states that "at times men haven't taken me seriously." She has not let that stop her from building her brand. She has passion and can find purpose in her brand. Chrishon possess virtue and is a renaissance woman that will not let anything get in her way. She is ready to take it to the next level.
In an effort to expand her brand, Chrishon introduced Lampley cigars as part of her product line in 2014, and they have been a hit! These Domincian cigars are not only the perfect pairing of a social and sexy entourage, but they also speak volumes to what Chrishon has up her sleeve. From wine to cigars to candles, you will definetly know who Ms. Chrishon Lampley is.
LCS is currently in over 45 locations such as Mariano's, Binny's, Kimbark Market, South Loop Market, local restaurants and bars.
Contact Chrishon to purchase cigars.
Within a year, Chrishon Lampley has literally taken her brand, Love Cork Screw from Zero to 1 Hundred! The sophisticated and sexy lifestyle brand offers six varietals; Good Times, Good Friends: a very simple, crisp white Pinot Grigio with pear notes; We’re Moving On Up, which is a top seller and a 2005 Red Cabernet from California; Hard Knock Life is a Concord wine and brings in wine newbies with its subtle sweetness; Touch The Sky, a Niagara white wine from the Niagara grape, is another good introduction selection; In Too Deep, a Brusecco wine is a brute styled carbonated varietal which increases popularity around the holiday’s; and Head Over Heels is a seductive Sweet Riesling. "Great wine does not have to be complicated." LCS is an affordable, mid-tier wine, ranging in price from $11 to $22 and are produced from two local vineyards in Michigan and Illinois.
Although the Love Cork Screw brand is thriving, Chrishon was not an overnight success. While working as a wine distributor, Chrishon developed a list of prominent contacts and always knew that this relationship would be a valuable asset in the near future. With aspirations and a plan, she was able to apply the knowledge of being a wine distributor and open a popular lounge on the southside of Chicago. From 2009-2011, Chrishon owned the Three Peas
Art Lounge that catered to the social elite of
Chicago. Many would stop by just to ask
Chrishon about wine pairings and learn
about new wines. Unfortunately in 2011,
the Art Lounge closed due to a flood which
forced Chrishon to pursue, The Love Cork
Screw Blog. The “Love” portion features
discuss ons around her love life and various
experiences, “Cork” features discussion
on wine, and “Screw” is the wild card, the
unexpected aspects about life and love.
This thought provoking blog was an avenue
for both men and women to express their
honest and true feelings about
relationships. Even after having a
successful blog, Chrishon experienced
the nature of the "good ole boys club", as
she began to forge ahead and establish LCS.
In a male-dominated industry, Chrishon
states that "at times men haven't taken me
seriously." She has not let that stop her from building her brand. She has passion and can find purpose in her brand. Chrishon possess virtue and is a renaissance woman that will not let anything get in her way. She is ready to take it to the next level.
In an effort to expand her brand, Chrishon introduced Lampley Cigars as part of her product line in 2014, and they have been a hit! These Dominican cigars are not only the perfect pairing of a social and sexy entourage, but they also speak volumes to what Chrishon has up her sleeve. From wine, to cigars, to candles, you will definetly know who Ms. Chrishon Lampley is.
LCS is currently in over 45 locations such as Mariano's, Binny's, Kimbark Market, South Loop Market, local restaurants and bars.
Click here to contact Chrishon to purchase cigars.
Creative Design, Illustration, and Graphic Design provided by Zero to 1 Hundred