Second Glass founders Morgan First and Tyler Balliet started their venture in October 2008. Based in Boston, the startup helps people discover, remember and share new wines. The two young entrepreneurs are both wine lovers but always felt that wine wasn't marketed to the younger generation properly.
They felt that wine was seen as a drink, drunk by the older generation at dinner parties. This or being used as cheap alcohol to binge on. They wanted to get people to understand and appreciate wines more so they started Second Glass to do exactly that.
They decided to market wine to a younger generation via what is essential a wine based social network. The largest part of the companies business is in events which take place in 5 cities across America (plans to expand). These events called wine riots facilitate a connection between wine sellers and young consumers.
In 2010 Second Glass brought in over $300,000 in revenue and they have two offices their HQ in Boston and an office in LA. The 5 cities they operate events in are Boston, LA, Chicago, New York and DC.
Tyler Balliet founder of Second Glass became a bit of a wine connoisseur while spending a year in rural France. Back in Boston he honed his skills even more, working in a wine shop. Tyler started Second Glass as a wine print magazine and soon evolved into a event company making use of new media and technology to target the younger target market.
Co founder and CEO, Morgan First who was born in LA, went to Boston to earn a degree in Marketing and entrepreneurship, so combine that with her love for wine and Second Glass was obvious really! Morgan wants to make wine fun, whether it is learning about it or drinking it. Her fun and upbeat attitude certainly helps sell it in that way as well.
Both were named in Inc magazines 30 under 30 cool young entrepreneurs.
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