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Josh Hackler: Bringing Spain to the U.S. By Eliza Broaddus
Spanish Vines president and founder Josh Hackler ’03, has a fresh approach to business. He believes that understanding the culture of a product’s origin is essential to its enjoyment—thus the company slogan: “To understand is to enjoy.”
The idea for Spanish Vines came to Josh when he was studying for four months in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. While enjoying the culture and culinary tastes of the country, he recognized a need for quality Spanish products in the United States. “We want our company to be an ambassador for the Spanish way of life through our food products and wines,” he says.
Since graduating from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Josh has directed his attention to expanding and improving his business. In order to guarantee quality to his customers, Josh works with producers in Spain. He knows every minute detail about the products he brands with the company’s logo. Spanish Vines currently carries two signature wines, the Macabeo and the Tempranillo, which can be purchased from Harris Teeter stores in North and South Carolina. The company is incorporating five new wines, Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham), Manchego cheese, and Spanish olive oil into their inventory. “We want to make the company a national brand in about five years and continue to introduce more wines and more food products under the brand,” he says.
The company’s Web site, SpanishVines.com, is currently being updated to create a more interactive environment. The Web site will offer several new features, including interactive Spanish history lessons, recipes, blogs, and articles. Other features include helpful travel information about attractions, hotels, and wineries for those who are planning an excursion to Spain. For those unable to get away for a European vacation, Josh’s company can satisfy any longing for basic Spanish fare right here in the U.S.
Spanish Vines is currently receiving important national attention. Readers of BusinessWeek magazine have nominated Josh one of the most promising young entrepreneurs in America. Each year, BusinessWeek asks its readers to vote for entrepreneurs aged 25 and under who are running their own companies—firms that show potential for growth and establish the talent of the founders behind them. The names of the entrepreneurs who receive the most votes will be announced at the end of September.http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/09/0908_2008_entrepreneurs/22.htm
About the author: Eliza Broaddus served as an intern in Woodberry’s Development Office during the summer of 2008. She is a senior at Hollins University in Roanoke, where she is pursuing an English degree with a creative writing concentration as well as a double minor in Spanish and political science.
Photo courtesy of Business Week.
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The idea for Spanish Vines came to Josh when he was studying for four months in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. While enjoying the culture and culinary tastes of the country, he recognized a need for quality Spanish products in the United States. “We want our company to be an ambassador for the Spanish way of life through our food products and wines,” he says.
Since graduating from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, Josh has directed his attention to expanding and improving his business. In order to guarantee quality to his customers, Josh works with producers in Spain. He knows every minute detail about the products he brands with the company’s logo. Spanish Vines currently carries two signature wines, the Macabeo and the Tempranillo, which can be purchased from Harris Teeter stores in North and South Carolina. The company is incorporating five new wines, Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham), Manchego cheese, and Spanish olive oil into their inventory. “We want to make the company a national brand in about five years and continue to introduce more wines and more food products under the brand,” he says.
The company’s Web site, SpanishVines.com, is currently being updated to create a more interactive environment. The Web site will offer several new features, including interactive Spanish history lessons, recipes, blogs, and articles. Other features include helpful travel information about attractions, hotels, and wineries for those who are planning an excursion to Spain. For those unable to get away for a European vacation, Josh’s company can satisfy any longing for basic Spanish fare right here in the U.S.
Spanish Vines is currently receiving important national attention. Readers of BusinessWeek magazine have nominated Josh one of the most promising young entrepreneurs in America. Each year, BusinessWeek asks its readers to vote for entrepreneurs aged 25 and under who are running their own companies—firms that show potential for growth and establish the talent of the founders behind them. The names of the entrepreneurs who receive the most votes will be announced at the end of September.http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/09/0908_2008_entrepreneurs/22.htm
About the author: Eliza Broaddus served as an intern in Woodberry’s Development Office during the summer of 2008. She is a senior at Hollins University in Roanoke, where she is pursuing an English degree with a creative writing concentration as well as a double minor in Spanish and political science.
Photo courtesy of Business Week.
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