In this milestone 100th episode of The Power of Design Podcast, we welcome Mary Anna Ossa, CEO and co-founder of Partners and Grapes, a purpose-driven organic wine company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Mary Anna transitioned from a corporate marketing career to becoming a passionate advocate for clean, additive-free wines. Her inspiring story of entrepreneurship, reinvention, and resilience showcases the transformative power of belief, purpose, and community support.
Connect with Mary Anna on LinkedIn
In this heartfelt conversation, host Jack Ossa sits down with his wife and long-time supporter Mary Anna Ossa to explore her journey of launching a wine brand from scratch. What began as a personal struggle with food allergies and wine intolerance transformed into a business opportunity after discovering organic wines on a family trip to Spain. With no prior experience in the wine industry, Mary Anna dove into learning everything about winemaking, branding, and distribution—eventually launching her own distribution company and crafting a collection of clean, high-quality wines. This episode is not only a celebration of 100 podcast episodes but also a tribute to the power of reinvention and support in building a successful business from the ground up.
Mary Anna's first step was writing a business plan. Seeing her ideas on paper gave her the confidence to pursue them. Belief was the foundation.
Inspired by Jack's advice, she focused on creating a brand—not just selling wine. This decision laid the groundwork for lasting brand recognition.
Mary Anna dedicates herself to educating consumers about what truly makes a wine organic—no pesticides, no added sugars or sulfites, and clean fermentation.
Unable to find distributors, Mary Anna launched her own distribution company, gaining access to retail markets across several states.
From mutual business consulting to collaborative parenting, the Ossa family thrives through communication, teamwork, and shared entrepreneurial values.
Fear never disappears—but showing up and doing the work despite fear creates real momentum.
As a business owner, Mary Anna enjoys the flexibility to work from anywhere and prioritize her family without sacrificing professional growth.
While she thrives in sales, networking events are a personal challenge. Nonetheless, she pushes herself to show up and grow her circle.
Learning to stay calm during slow seasons or unexpected challenges is critical for long-term sustainability.
Mary Anna is committed to being a role model for women, especially Latinas and moms, showing them it's never too late to start something new.
This episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the shared entrepreneurial life of Jack and Mary Anna. They reflect on how they co-manage careers, children, and businesses with intention and respect. They highlight the importance of leading by example for their children, celebrating wins as a family, and relying on communication tools like shared calendars to stay aligned. This balance between autonomy and support showcases a modern, values-based family model where personal growth fuels professional success.
Mary Anna Ossa’s journey from stay-at-home mom to CEO of an organic wine brand illustrates how dreams can evolve and come to life at any stage of life. With no prior experience, she harnessed her resourcefulness, relied on family support, and trusted her vision. Her story reminds us that business success is not about ease—it's about possibility. Her advice is clear: do it scared, start even if it's messy, and never stop showing up.
Whether you're thinking about launching a new venture or reinventing your career, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt inspiration.
🛒 Want to try Partners and Grapes wines? Visit their website and use the store locator to find nearby retailers or order online for nationwide shipping.
🔗 Follow Mary Anna Ossa on LinkedIn
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