Bronconess
Fall 2019 - Spring 2022
The Leadership and Business Strategy program in Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business believes the best way to learn business is by doing business, that business is about profit and purpose, and that with courage and enthusiasm, anything is possible.
We are proud to bring to the world Bronconess – a wine created and operated by students to honor the spirit of Broncos everywhere.
My work for the Bronconess brand has focused on leading our creative efforts to increase marketability and awareness around the non-profit aspect of this company. As a part of this team, I created a 100% original art piece for a mass market wine bottle, this label supports our mission of being 100% student run.
My role has grown into co-leading a team of students each semester to elevate the brand. The students working on the Bronconess brand gain critical experience through running all aspects of a wine company from brand strategy, marketing, sales, partnerships, and community events. All working with the shared goal to pay this opportunity forward for future generations of Bronco leaders. Our mission is to set up the brand for years of stability as we are launching a new varietal that will be our flag ship Michigan-made product for years to come.
As of December 2021, we have been live for two years and generated $45K in scholarships for future Bronco leaders.
Product Development
In March of 2020, my co-lead and I decided to come out with a new varietal focused around celebration. Partnering with St. Julian, Michigan’s largest and oldest winery, was the best strategy for the brand. This partnership allowed us to bring a Michigan varietal to our alumni and supports Southwest Michigan.
St. Julian had our team involved in every step of the process—I even got to design the label.
The Peach Bubbly launched on November 20, 2020 and can be purchased online at www.Bronconess.com and in St. Julian tasting rooms!
Designing the label was a lesson in itself. It taught me that "being an artist is exposing yourself to vulnerability–and thats OK. Feeling vulnerable made me face the experience fully and embracing it brought innovation creativity, and change. Change is good. The feelings of today brought an entirely new feel to the label, but I think it embodies the Bronconess Brand even more."
–an excerpt from my daily journal.
The best part of this entire experience was how close I was able to be with my team, the St. Julian team, and the process. The love and support I felt from people sending me their photos with Bronconess from all over the country is unmatched, and I cannot wait to see where the next generation of students takes this project.
Bronconess in the News!
