Impact Partner Content: Absa
For many of the smaller boutique wineries in South Africa, getting their wines distributed into global markets can be a challenge. Tanja Robinson, founder of Robinson & Sinclair, is taking her passion for South African wine and helping producers to manage their international sales, growing their global footprints.
Tanja Robinson has been in the wine Industry for 25 years. She started her corporate career in textiles with the Wooltru group and then moved over to Stellenbosch Vineyards. Robinson & Sinclair was founded 17 years ago when Tanja noticed an opportunity for smaller boutique wineries to jointly invest under one umbrella giving them the opportunity to reach a global market. Tanja has a passion for wine and for South Africa, telling the stories of each of the producers has been an important part of growing the R&S foot print.
Founder Tanja Robinson shares more about her entrepreneurial journey and the story of building the Robinson & Sinclair brand.
What does your company do?
“What inspired me to start the company is that I can create female employment and give the South African wine industry a new face.” — Tanja Robinson
Robinson & Sinclair manages the International sales for a select group of South African wineries. A group that spans each of the unique wine regions South Africa has to offer. Travelling around the globe, growing the South African wine foot print and finding importers and distributors who will share the unique stories of each of our wineries.
What inspired you to start your company?
I love travelling, I love to discover people and cultures, I know I can sell ice to an Eskimo. I can paint a picture in people’s minds, I love my country, so I knew if I can convince people of South African wines by telling them vivid stories, I can make a difference back home, I can create female employment and give the South African wine industry a new face.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The people we employ, the families who’s wines we export.
“My team is young and together we have created a culture that makes people exceed their potential, this culture is transported to our buyers abroad and they also manage to break boundaries and overachieve.” — Tanja Robinson
Tell us a little about your team
My team is young and together we have created a culture that makes people exceed their potential, this culture is transported to our buyers abroad and they also manage to break boundaries and overachieve.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I came from a very humble family, no trust fund, so every dream I had, had to be paid for by myself. So creating wealth and lifestyle had to come from trading and operating outside the norm. I soon realized that by teaching people around me that nothing is impossible, the reward is immense.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
It is my dream that everyone that works with me will have their dreams come true, that we could start the motion for the South African wine industry / export to change their attitude and culture, and become a cult of exciting the youth and igniting their future aspirations.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing change and experiencing surprise when venturing into the unknown. Making a difference and developing that mindset.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Follow your heart and never look back, be true to yourself and always be thankful you are a woman. We have so many skills, this is being increasingly realized and celebrated!
Contact or follow Robinson & Sinclair
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL tanja@robinson-sinclair.co.za
