Person featured: Shelly Block

Business: La Bouteille wine and beer boutique

Address: 10 N. Trade St., Tryon

Phone number: 828-859-6473

Email: labouteille@windstream.net

Nature of business: Wine and craft beer retail shop

Principal owner: Shelly Block

Year founded: Opened Feb. 11, 2010

Number of employees: 1 full-time, 1 part-time

How’s business? Considering we opened in the worst economic times, we can only grow from here – so we are doing pretty well.
things you wish everyone knew about your business: “Boutique” does not mean “expensive,” but it does mean “good.” From our $5 wines to $40 wines (and beer), we try to offer the best quality-to-value ratio. And we custom order a single bottle or a whole case at no extra cost.

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: Unique wines and beers “off the beaten path” that you can mix or match, personalized service, and we let you drink beer or wine here while you shop. You can even bring in a meal from Buck’s, My Place or 10 N. Trade Deli.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Know what you do and do what you know.

My first job: Started as a cashier at Kmart at 16 years old.

Your role model (in business or in life generally): My parents, who have always stressed the value of hard work and ethics, and my husband, Fred, who always dreams big and whose heart overflows with the entrepreneurial spirit.

The key to a successful business is: Take risks, learn from mistakes, stay focused and connected and balance the budget.